does anyone know of a good boot-like-camp for an out of control teen?

Question

15 year old female on the path to trouble ,hanging out with "cool"kids up to no good,tried all possible avenues

Answer 1

Oh.....yeah I feel for you, that sucks.

Ok the Ariel to the About Face Boot Camp was featured on the Jenny Jones show.
Here's an article talking about a skeptical mother who sent her kid after watching the show on tv. The article discusses how boot camps don't work long term.
http://www.lornacollier.com/bootcamps.html

They do give suggestions though;
What to consider about boot camps

The following advice is geared toward parents who are considering a boot camp or similar behavioral program for their teen. The advice is offered by Larry Brendtro, president of Reclaiming Youth; Tessa Trass, who runs Troubled Children Inc.; and Cathy Sutton, whose daughter died at a wilderness camp in 1990.

* Call state officials in the state in which the facility is located to find out if there have been previous complaints, if there are pending complaints and if the facility is properly licensed. Officials to contact include the state attorney general and social services department.

* Beware of any program that puts limits on parent contact. "Programs that try to insulate kids from parents are exceedingly suspect," Brendtro said.

* Ask your contact person at the facility whether the staff has been screened for drugs and what training they have, including CPR and first aid as well as educational credentials; what the facility's policy is concerning restraint methods; whether the program pays referral fees to parents; whether there is a doctor available or hospital nearby; what the student-to-staff ratio is.

* Visit the program or camp unannounced and ask to see every room or area.

* Be wary of programs that encourage the use of "paid escorts" to bring children to the facility.

Ok this site has a list of camps. Not boot camps, but "boot camp alternatives";
http://www.teen-help-directory.com/categories/Boot-Camps_Boot-Camp-Alternatives.asp

Here's another good link:
http://www.strugglingteens.com/parents/tencommonmistakest.html

Ok, this site has links to boot camps and forums where you can meet other parents;
http://www.boot-camp-boot-camps.com/directory/behavior-modification-boarding-schools.html

I have to say it's not uncommon for kids to have problems around 14-15 yo. I was a holy terror. I'm not even going to tell you some of the horrible stuff I did... As long as you raise her right, eventually she'll grow out of it. All I can say is make sure both parents stay united and stick together. She needs to spend time with both mom and dad (Part of my problem was not seeing my dad enough). Just keep being hard on her and doing what you're doing. It's hard these days....I feel crappy about what I did to my mom. I wonder what my kids are going to do to me. You just have to be tough and wait it out. Maybe you should try getting her into therapy...

Good Luck!

Answer 2

No, I don't know of a boot-camp but I do know of a way to help. How about you be the parent, and realize that adolescence is a "rebellious" stage. Natures way of "pushing out of the nest." Lets assume that you did a terrific job raising this child, during adolescence the child can become quite a handful, but since you did such a fine job raising her she Will even out as she grows older. Just discipline her appropriately.
As for these boot camps, the quick fix that so many look for to solve their parenting voes. I've had the misfortune of watching these bozo's scream at the kid followed closely by some sit ups and PRESTO stepford child. Get real.
Please don't send your child to a boot camp, I really don't want "my tax dollars" to go to yet another prison to house your child because of the abuse from these Neanderthals.

Answer 3

My parents' house. I'm 32, & if I smarted off to my mother, she'd still slap the taste out of my mouth. And she's the nice one! In all seriousness, my parents were very strict, & I'm better off for it. My parents weren't the type to try "time outs" & all that malarchy. There was a basic hierarchy in the minding scale. If I refused to mind, it went belt, slap, punch, skillet. I'm pretty smart. Never once have I pushed them to skillet! I'm very proud of that fact. I don't intend any personal criticism, because I don't know you or your situation, but I think more parents should be like mine. These people who try to be their kids' friends & resort to "time outs" & trying to talk things out like the Brady Bunch are the reason so many kids are running wild on the streets today. My mother told me early on that I may not like her, but I would damned well respect her. I don't doubt either one of my parents would have bounced me off a wall if I needed it. More parents should put the fear of God in their kids, & then we'd have no need for these boot camps & crap like that. The parents are the bosses, not the kids. If the parents refuse to fulfill their responsibilities to discipline their children & look out for their best interests, the kids will run wild & do whatever they wish. And parents should never back down from the "I'll turn you in for child abuse" argument. Hand them the phone, & dial the number. If they can't mind you, then they don't need to be living in your home, & they can try living as a ward of the state. I guarantee the other kids in an orphanage won't put up with their attitudes, & they better be able to hold their own in a fight. I hope you find your solution, before this girl ends up pregnant & giving birth to another illegitimate tax burden for society. Good luck.

Answer 4

I got sent to a boarding school...I just learned to lie and sneak around better. But I did start to develop a conscious because of the Christian morals being taught at the school, and I ended up loving the school and letting go of the wild streak. But be careful...don't make your kid feel unwanted.

Answer 5

The Air National Guard has a national program called Youth Challenge that is excellent. It is designed specifically for the problem you are faced with. Several states have them, I do not have their website, but the number for the one in Louisiana is 888-588-9311. Maybe they would have info for one near you. God Bless.

Answer 6

Send her to the Maury Povich Show.. that'll smarten her up.

Answer 7

Take her to Maury or Jerry Springer.

Answer 8

My parents took me out of public school and stuck me in a private school. I got way worse, but then I grew out of it in my senior year.

Answer 9

The school counsellor. That'd scare anyone.

Answer 10

Are you with the Maury Povitch show?