http://jeffbrain.net/?p=282 Observations and Discussions with Jeff Brain, MA, CTS, CEP Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:16:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://jeffbrain.net/?p=282&cpage=1#comment-1323 Jeff Brain Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:40:16 +0000 http://jeffbrain.net/?p=282#comment-1323 Carolann - I agree with you and unfortunately, we do see this often - a child loses his way (and I like the way you put that) despite the love and healthy environment in the home. So often fingers get pointed toward parents when really this type of thing can effect any family. We know that despite what is known about good parenting (just like what is known for good teaching/education in schools) some kids do not accept and respond to our best. Children and teens are affected by so many forces and influences - and a child can be lured away into a life style that is inconsistent with the way they have been raised. This occurs in treatment to - two kids side by side, one gets better, the other doesn't. Just today a mom expressed this same sentiment as she agonized about the possibility that her son may not be able to live with her - she wrote in part "at this point I think he wants freedom so badly that he sees no benefit to a stable, loving and boundary driven household." Our hope and prayers are that seeds were planted and that they will find their way in time because they had the experience of being loved, accepted and cared for - that it will be a desire to return to that one day. Not unlike the story of the prodigal son, the father waits for his son to come to the end of himself before he returns - and what joy is there for both of them when they are re-united. For those with mental health issues, engagement with appropriate treatment is so important to help secure that stability of thought and mind. Carolann – I agree with you and unfortunately, we do see this often – a child loses his way (and I like the way you put that) despite the love and healthy environment in the home. So often fingers get pointed toward parents when really this type of thing can effect any family. We know that despite what is known about good parenting (just like what is known for good teaching/education in schools) some kids do not accept and respond to our best. Children and teens are affected by so many forces and influences – and a child can be lured away into a life style that is inconsistent with the way they have been raised. This occurs in treatment to – two kids side by side, one gets better, the other doesn’t. Just today a mom expressed this same sentiment as she agonized about the possibility that her son may not be able to live with her – she wrote in part “at this point I think he wants freedom so badly that he sees no benefit to a stable, loving and boundary driven household.” Our hope and prayers are that seeds were planted and that they will find their way in time because they had the experience of being loved, accepted and cared for – that it will be a desire to return to that one day. Not unlike the story of the prodigal son, the father waits for his son to come to the end of himself before he returns – and what joy is there for both of them when they are re-united. For those with mental health issues, engagement with appropriate treatment is so important to help secure that stability of thought and mind.

]]> http://jeffbrain.net/?p=282&cpage=1#comment-1316 Carolann Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:53:24 +0000 http://jeffbrain.net/?p=282#comment-1316 What happens when the family meets these characteristics, yet 1 child has lost his way despite all else? A lost child is not necessarily that result of a weak family or faulty parenting. What happens when the family meets these characteristics, yet 1 child has lost his way despite all else? A lost child is not necessarily that result of a weak family or faulty parenting.

]]> http://jeffbrain.net/?p=282&cpage=1#comment-1160 Annamaria Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:42:43 +0000 http://jeffbrain.net/?p=282#comment-1160 So true!!!!!! So true!!!!!!

]]> http://jeffbrain.net/?p=282&cpage=1#comment-609 Arlene Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:43:06 +0000 http://jeffbrain.net/?p=282#comment-609 Is there a gray area between the 6 characteristics of strong families and the 12 steps to raising at-risk kids? I think a lot of families might fall into the gray area! Thanks for another interesting blog! Is there a gray area between the 6 characteristics of strong families and the 12 steps to raising at-risk kids? I think a lot of families might fall into the gray area! Thanks for another interesting blog!

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