My son is 9 years old and out of control. He has stolen 3 times in the past two days. Please do not lecture me on my parenting. He does get disciplined for his actions. It doesn't work! I need to get him help before he does something really bad and gets in trouble with the law!
2006-12-28 15:24:14 · 8 answers · asked by Patty 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Yes, we tried counseling and ADHD meds! Nothing works :(
2006-12-28 15:27:41 · update #1
I am a stay at home mother! He is not ignored. He doesn't want for anything, either. We do however live in a very small town where there is no activities for him such as karate or Boy Scouts. Please don't make assumptions about my family. He is never in day care. Hasn't been since he was 4 and I was a single mother. I want to nip this in the bus while he's still pretty young. I called a boo camp and they said he had to be 12 and I said "Am I supposed to let him continue on this path for 3 more yrs?". By the way, this school doesn't have a counselor let alone a psychiatrist. Forgive me for misspellings, there isn't spell check when you add details and I am tired and upset.
2006-12-28 15:40:24 · update #2
Your next step should NOT be hospitalization. I was in a mental facility as a juvenile for a legitimate mental illness and for the sake of your child and the sake of the other patients don't send him there for behavioral issues. Even if they're somewhere rooted in psych and biochemicals all they're going to do at most mental hospitals is trank him when he gets rowdy and ignore him the rest of the time. Keep looking for a behavioral camp or facility don't just toss him in a mental one and hope that someone cares. I could count on one hand and not use all my fingers the kids in the juvie ward who are actually mentally ill....and I wouldn't have to use any fingers to count the ones that were getting adequate help outside of drugs. Keep looking, keep fighting for him, call people, if you have to haul his butt to out patient therapy 7 days a week to get it done do. I've seen 6 years old kids insane with anger in some hospitals and no one is there for them. No one talks to them about their problems they just give them a shot and bodily restrain them when they get too upset. It's bordering on criminal in my opinion. Talk to your pediatrician, ask them for recommendations for psychiatrists or therapists in your area, go to everyone you have to. He's your child and he needs your help. Please don't give up on him. As an adult who was given up on as a child due to behavioral issues that stemmed from mental illness please god don't give up on him. The fact that my mother stopped caring and was just angry at me for being sick haunts everything I do even now that I'm older. Please keep fighting for him. He needs your love.
2006-12-28 17:23:00 · answer #1 · answered by evilangelfaery919 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I grew up in a small town and I know it's hard to find services that are nearby sometimes. But if your child was actually diagnosed with ADHD and is having difficulty I would stick with the counseling and meds. Even if he wasn't diagnosed with ADHD he could still benefit from counseling, even if you say it didn't work before. Sometimes it takes some searching to find the right kind of therapy. There are many low-cost options available. Go onto your state's website and look around for the programs offered.
Counseling is not just for the kid. Counseling can help the parent to understand the kid's behavior better so that they can come up with more effective ways to manage the behavior. This has nothing to do with whether or not you are a good parent. This has to do with you working with a professional so that between your knowledge of your child and their knowledge of behavioral disorders things will work out.
Working with a counselor will open up the door to other options if they are needed. They can evaluate your child and see what kind of help he needs. They have knowledge of the local resources. It will be a lot faster than you having to run around on your own to find it. Don't worry about jumping to the option of a facility just yet.
I know it's hard when it's your own kid. It's upsetting! That's why I strongly encourage you to find local help for this. Random people on Y!A can't diagnose your kid and help you find good treatment options.
2006-12-28 19:19:35 · answer #2 · answered by Jen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he really has a serious problem. I'm not trying to sound harsh at all and I know that it's hard to deal with but there could actually be a psychological reason for him acting out like this. I think your best bet is to take him to a psychiatrist and have him checked out there and then you'll know what the problem is. If he needs help then he'll get it and if he's just being disruptive then you can find a place that will help him. Good luck with this.
I didn't mean a counselor either, I mean a real psychiatrist so he can get medication if he needs it.
2006-12-28 18:01:47 · answer #3 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry I dont know of any facilities however (and I am not trying to lecture you)
these actions are often pleas for attention.. if both parents are working I suggest one goes down to part time so they are home when ever he is... that he is never dumped with a babysitter or in another kind of care...
how does a 9 year old come to be in a place where he can steal?
yes you need to get him help or be your own help...
you dont need a new car, a cell phone, 10 pairs of shoes.. or where ever your money goes.. restaurants can become home cooked meals.. your kid comes first...
get him a hobby - sign him up for Karatee or soccer.. or something positive.. he is begging for attention.. he needs something to be proud of...
2006-12-28 15:34:37 · answer #4 · answered by CF_ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your school and or the ISD has a School Psychologist that has the answers you are looking for...Just ask the front desk at the school...PS this is not the School Counselor..I hope things improve for you and your son..
2006-12-28 15:30:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you tried outpatient counseling? Going away from home at 9 is really not a good idea except for in very few circumstances.
2006-12-28 15:26:45 · answer #6 · answered by Laurie F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cant think of the name but there is one in Corpus Christi or Kingville. Also talk to someone in your local MHMR office or look into a local state hospital they can all help.
2006-12-28 15:31:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then your next step would be hospitalization.
2006-12-28 15:32:39 · answer #8 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋