Teen Sluffing School and Kicked Out of the Home, Now What?

For a lot of teenagers, school can be a difficult place, causing negative behaviors to increase. These behaviors can result from a variety of factors, such as not understanding the course material, bullying by peers, or a sense of inadequacy, and they may even outright refuse to attend. When the school responds to these behaviors, you might find yourself wondering what your options are. While you want to support your teen, these behaviors may seemingly come out of the blue. Plus, getting to the root cause of these issues might be “too little, too late” if their behaviors have gone too far and they’ve been kicked out of school. Our team at Liahona Academy sees this same scenario often. Many times, the teens who participate in our program are there because of the difficulties they had in a traditional school setting. The good news is that our team can help when all other avenues have been considered, giving teens the tools they need to push past obstacles in their way and get back on track. Continue reading to gain some insight into why teens might struggle in school and what options you have as a parent.

Exploring Behaviors at School and How They Relate to School Refusal

Adolescence brings about major changes in a teen's physical, emotional, and cognitive makeup, which can show up in a variety of behaviors at school. However, when you sit back and look at the timeline of events, was there a time when your teen refused to go to school, or do they still refuse but eventually give in? Their refusal to go to school might be where you need to start.  When your teen routinely balks at going to school or becomes extremely upset at the mere prospect, it’s essential to get to the root cause. Several typical explanations for refusing to go to school include:

• Anxiety: Teens who suffer from social anxiety, separation anxiety, or generalized anxiety disorder may find it difficult to leave the comforts of home and adjust to the rigors of education.
• Bullying: Teens who experience persistent bullying may feel unsafe at school and turn away from it entirely in an attempt to get away from the suffering.
• Academic Pressure: Teens who feel overburdened by demands for their grades or who fear failing may decide not to attend school.
• Physical Health Issues: Teenagers may find it challenging to attend school on a daily basis due to physical symptoms of chronic illnesses like migraines or gastrointestinal disorders.

Their refusal to go to school and subsequent coercion to go can result in actions that eventually get them expelled. For parents and teens alike, it’s a never-ending cycle that can cause significant distress. Unfortunately, many parents don’t feel like they have a choice, especially when faced with issues of truancy and other repercussions that may occur due to school refusal. More on this below, but first, let’s explore how to react when your teen expresses they don’t want to attend.

How Should Parents Deal With Teens Who Don't Want to Attend School?

For parents, dealing with an adolescent who refuses to attend school can be quite difficult. This is especially true if you begin to realize the behaviors are a direct result of being forced to go to school. Our team suggests the following strategies, with a willingness to see outside support when needed:

• Open Communication: Have a conversation with your teen to learn the real causes of their absence from school. Address any worries they may have while providing comfort and assurance.
• Set Firm Boundaries: Be accommodating and cognizant of your teen's needs while simultaneously outlining clear expectations and consequences for attendance.
• Collaborate with School Staff: Create a plan that supports your teen's academic and emotional well-being by working closely with teachers, counselors, and administrators.

It’s important to consider the information you learn from exploring the root cause of their refusal to go to school, coupled with the behaviors that got them kicked out. In doing so, you might realize that a therapeutic setting, like the one we offer, is the answer you’re looking for. Unlike other programs, we take a well-rounded approach to helping your teen, ensuring they’re able to explore their feelings and gain valuable coping skills, as well as the tools they’ll need as they take the next steps.

What Happens When Teens Are Kicked Out of School?

When teens are expelled from school, it can be difficult for parents to deal with. While it’s your job to provide direction, support, and structure during this chaotic time, you’re also likely dealing with a variety of feelings. First and foremost, it’s important to handle the problem with compassion and understanding. While your teenager may act as if they’re perfectly fine with the expulsion, they’re likely dealing with a variety of emotions as well, such as humiliation, anger, and concern about their future. It is imperative for you to foster an atmosphere in which they can freely express their emotions without worrying about perceived criticism. Still, you’ll need to establish clear expectations and boundaries for your teen while you plan the next steps.

Contact Our Team Today

Collaboration and support are needed to help you address school refusal and understand the underlying causes of your teen’s behavior in the classroom. And while patience and understanding are important, there is still a pressing need to ensure your teen is enrolled in an academic program. You can help your teen overcome the obstacles surrounding school and learn about what triggers their behaviors by ensuring the right supports are in place. In doing so, we encourage you to reach out to a member of our team to see how our program can help. At Liahona, we understand that the costs of a therapeutic program can add up. For families in need, we work with a lending program that helps you gain the support you need for your teen without needing to worry about paying all at once. This program provides a large amount of relief as you take the necessary steps to get your teen the help they need. Sources: https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/findlaw-for-teens/can-teenagers-get-in-trouble-for-skipping-school/ https://www.liahonaacademy.com/parents-dealing-with-teens-explosive-anger-and-school-suspensions.html https://www.liahonaacademy.com/apply-for-financing.html https://paradigmtreatment.com/teen-anxiety-school-refusal https://parents.au.reachout.com/school-and-education/school-refusal/school-refusal https://momblogsociety.com/5-common-reasons-why-teenagers-misbehave/ https://www.verywellfamily.com/surprising-reasons-why-kids-misbehave-1094946 https://momblogsociety.com/5-common-reasons-why-teenagers-misbehave/ https://www.liahonaacademy.com/our-program.html