Support for teenagers' parents

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 258, 11 October 1988, Page 8

Support for teenagers' parents

"Toughlove" is a new s e 1 f - h e 1 p programme for parents troubled by teenage behaviour. Next week October 20 at 7pm at the Community Health rooms in Raetihi a six week block course starts. The course consists of weekly Thursday n i g h t meetings. Julia Martin, Eve Rush and Leigh

Berry have recently attended a tutors' course and Mrs Martin and Mrs Rush will be coordinating the parent's course. "Toughlove" is a loving solution for families that are being torn apart b y unacceptable adolescent behaviour. It is the same kind of loving approach used to get little children to take

medicine. We know they don't like it, but we insist on them taking it anyway. Most parents believe that understanding, reasoning, listening, and above all, tenderloving care (TLC), will solve all family problems. With some children t h o s e approaches seem to work. "Toughlove" is for those many parent's whose teenagers will not accept TLC. These young people may wag school, run away, abuse alcohol and other drugs, get in trouble with the law, make all their own choices, or act as if they are the only ones

who should make decisions about their lives. They need to become aware of the reality of their choices by accepting t h e consequences of their own actions, no matter how badly their parents may feel about them "taking their medicine". The support group provides an opportunity j for parents to share , ideas and suggestions for different ways of J coping with problems identified at the meeting. "Toughlove" shows parents that they are not alone, that they have rights and worth and deserve to be treated with respect.

Leigh

Berry

Public Health Nurse