Troubled teens? Make a change. Relationship expert Dr. Molly Barrow

How do you know when it is the right time to make a change with a troubled teenager. Just like a two year old insisting they can cross the street alone a teenager may declare they can take care of themselves. The pattern of failure when a child is released before he or she has matured into an adult is all too prevalent. Still dependant but rejecting parental control, a teen will often move in with a friend or other adult who offers more freedom. Often the child exchanges parental dominance for sexual dominance or control by religious figures. The teen sees through tunnel vision believing they have successfully gained more freedom from parents but often missing their own vulnerability to misuse and brainwashing. Young people are searching for leadership and unfortunately most parents can no longer apply for the job. A teen alone on the street will not fulfill the grandiose dreams in their heads. If they were motivated to finish school, they would need to also work a forty hour week at minimum wage to live at poverty level. Spoiled by their parents hard work, the teen may supplement their salary with drug dealing or sexual favors. With few controls, they could become victims to drug and alcohol abuse, often led and encouraged by like minded lost kids. Do not believe your child when they tell you they can take care of themselves. Keep them in school as long as possible. If you are at the end of your rope try to arrange for another parent who you and the child admire to give you a few months break. Sometimes a change of guard is enough to help a selfish, all about me kid become a more appreciative young man or woman.