As parents, we frequently picture a future with our kids full of love, joy, and priceless memories. But when an adolescent exhibits aggressive conduct, that dream can soon come crashing down, leaving you scared and unsure of what to do. When you find yourself in this situation, it's critical to explore your rights and know where to turn for support. After all, while you want what’s best for your struggling teen, you also have to look out for the safety of you and your other children. The truth is that nearly 30% of kids between sixth grade and tenth are involved in some form of bullying behavior, and one in ten teens has been arrested for engaging in violent activity, so finding an answer sooner rather than later is best.
Our team at Liahona Academy has helped countless families in your same situation, trying to navigate the tough emotions that come with a teen whose behaviors have taken a turn for the worse. We offer a therapeutic setting for teens in need, focusing on teaching them the tools they need to get back on track. Continue reading to learn what your parental rights are when faced with violent teen behavior and more.
What Are Your Parental Rights?
When faced with violent behavior from your teen, you likely feel helpless and emotionally exhausted. It’s the ultimate “rock and a hard place” situation, knowing you need to act quickly to get your child the help they need while still trying to be supportive. It can help to understand the facts of the situation, pushing emotions aside for the time being as you learn what your parental rights are. For instance, to protect yourself and other family members in situations of violence or hostility, you can inquire about a restraining order in addition to hiring legal counsel. While this might seem like an exaggerated step to some, it’s actually a crucial step to getting your teen the help they need. This is because a pattern of behavior and documentation are often needed to access resources that can help your teen get the mental health services and treatment alternatives they may need. Along with consulting a lawyer to learn your rights, it’s important to create a safety plan. This is particularly vital if there are other children or even pets in the home that might become targets of your teen’s behaviors. Finally, it’s essential to seek out support, either through support groups, friends, or even the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline can help you understand your rights as well, give advice on creating a solid safety plan, and more. Additionally, putting aside the embarrassment and shame you might feel about the situation will allow you to fully embrace the support you receive.Tips for Managing a Violent Situation
While it can be emotionally and mentally taxing to raise an aggressive teenager, prioritizing self-care is crucial, as is enlisting the help of loved ones, friends, or experts who can provide support and understanding. The following advice can help you manage your tension and fear and take the steps needed to get you, your teen, and other family members the help you need:- Recognize Your Emotions: When dealing with aggression from your own child, it's common to have feelings of fear, annoyance, and helplessness. Accept your feelings and give yourself permission to deal with them without passing judgment.
- Seek Professional Assistance: If you need assistance with teenage behavior or family dynamics, don't be afraid to get in touch with therapists, counselors, or support groups. Expert advice can offer insightful advice and helpful coping mechanisms.
- Set Clear Boundaries: Talk to your adolescent about what constitutes appropriate behavior and what happens when they use violence. Maintain these boundaries and enforce them consistently while keeping lines of communication open and understanding.
- Put Safety First: Don't wait to take urgent action to safeguard your family and yourself if you feel uncomfortable in your own house. This can include finding alternate housing arrangements or momentarily severing ties with your teen until things get better.
- Exercise Self-Care: Make time to focus on your own health by engaging in enjoyable and relaxing activities. Self-care is crucial for preserving resilience during trying times, whether it takes the form of physical activity, meditation, or quality time with loved ones.
Exploring Therapeutic Care
Therapeutic intervention can be very helpful in addressing underlying issues and encouraging positive behavioral adjustments in teens who are violent. Among the choices to think about are:- Family Therapy: Family therapy offers a secure and encouraging setting where parents and teenagers can resolve disputes, enhance communication, and reestablish trust. A professional therapist can assist in determining the root causes of the violence and collaborate to find positive remedies.
- Individual Therapy: In a private context, individual therapy enables your teen to examine their feelings, actions, and underlying psychological issues. They can learn coping mechanisms, anger control methods, and nonviolent conflict resolution approaches from a therapist.
- Residential Treatment Programs: It might be necessary to enroll your teen in a therapeutic setting like the one we offer. Our program provides round-the-clock care and intervention while also providing teens with a safe space to explore the root cause of their behaviors. They’ll also engage in positive peer situations as well as receive group and individual therapy that aims to teach them the skills needed to leave the violence behind and focus on a better future.
- Medication Management: In certain situations, such as when depression, anxiety, or ADHD are the underlying mental health issues that are causing the aggressive behavior, medication may be administered to treat these issues. Maintaining regular collaboration with a licensed psychiatrist is crucial for tracking the efficacy of medications and any possible adverse effects.
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