When Love Is Not Enough
As a father, you want to do everything you can to protect your kids. Sometimes this is just common sense stuff, like making sure your home has a security alarm, making sure their toys are made well, helping them with homework so they can get into a good college, etc.
Other times, it isn’t so easy. Sometimes, in spite of our better efforts, things can go terribly wrong.
It’s so easy to blame the parents when a child (or teenager) develops behavioral issues or an addiction. “What kind of parent doesn’t control their child?” “What kind of parent doesn’t know what their kids are doing?” “Where are her parents?” are the things we hear most often. But kids—as we all learn the hard way—have very strong minds and wills of their own and for many of them, going against absolutely everything we have taught them and tried to raise them to believe is what makes them happiest (or at least it feels that way).
The truth is that sometimes it is the fault of the parents. If you use drugs or your kids are exposed to addiction at home, they are more likely to develop addictions and issues of their own. Sometimes, though, it is someone at school or that they know socially who gets them started.
What matters is that your son or daughter overcomes that addiction and that you never stop trying to get them the help they need to do that…even if it means allowing someone else to step in and take over for a while.
Studies have shown over and over again that things like wilderness training and utilizing transitional housing after a rehab stay are more likely to help your kids get back on track and stay that way.
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