Parenting an at-risk youth brings unique challenges. As a parent, you may feel overwhelmed, stressed, scared, or even helpless at times. However, there are positive, constructive ways of coping during this difficult period that can help strengthen your relationship with your child, as well as lead to better outcomes.
At New Day Recovery Family and Youth Service, we understand the struggles parents face when their child engages in substance abuse, defiance issues, truancy, aggression, or unlawful behaviors. We know it can negatively impact the whole family. Through compassionate counseling and community support services, we empower families to foster change and provide their youth a chance to get back on track.
As a parent, focusing on your own mental health and self-care is just as important. Here are some coping strategies our counselors at New Day Recovery recommend:
Seek Support
You may feel isolated, but remember you don’t have to go through this alone. Seeking support can help give you strength.
- Join a support group, either in-person or online, to connect with other parents facing similar issues. This can reduce feelings of shame and isolation.
- Confide in trusted friends and family members. Even if they don’t fully understand your specific situation, sharing your feelings with loved ones can lift some emotional burden off your shoulders.
Consider counseling just for yourself. Having an objective third party, like a licensed counselor, to talk to can be tremendously helpful.
Take Time for Self-Care
Make sure to intentionally set aside time for your own self-care. This might include:
- Relaxation practices like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or massage therapy. These can curb anxiety.
- Engaging in hobbies you enjoy, such as reading, crafting, or volunteering. Taking a mental break helps boost your mood and recharge.
- Exercising regularly. Physical activity releases endorphins to improve your state of mind.
- Getting adequate sleep every night. Lack of proper rest exacerbates stress.
As the old airplane oxygen mask guidance says – secure your own mask first before helping others. Making self-care a priority better equips you to cope with your child’s situation.
Adjust Your Expectations
The fact that your son or daughter is considered “at-risk” means they likely won’t behave how you expect them to. Instead of punishing them for not meeting your standards, focus more on keeping them safe day-to-day. This mindset shift can prevent daily confrontations that add stress to the whole family.
Additionally, let go of expectations that you’ll be able to immediately “fix” their issues. Their at-risk behaviors develop over time and often have complex causes. Improvement will also take time. Celebrate small wins along the way.
Establish Clear Rules and Boundaries
While you want to support your child, it’s still important they have rules and structure. Clear guidelines demonstrate you care about their well-being and future. Our counselors can help you implement fair, consistent expectations focused on safety as well as incentives to motivate positive progress.
Boundaries are also essential – for example, making it clear that disrespectful, harmful behavior won’t be tolerated, even if your child is struggling. Rules help provide stability while boundaries protect relationships.
Practice Self-Compassion
You may sometimes blame yourself and obsess over what you did wrong as a parent when your child first started struggling. In reality, at-risk youth often have complex reasons for their behavior that extend beyond just parenting.
Instead of self-blame, talk kindly to yourself. You’re doing the best you can with an impossibly difficult situation. Reach out for help when you need it. Progress will take time and commitment from your whole support network.
Remain Hopeful
It’s natural to feel scared about your child’s future. However, it’s important to remain hopeful and encourage that hope in your child too. Focus on their strengths. Our counselors help identify goals they can work toward as well as steps to get there, giving family members a renewed sense of optimism.
With professional help plus an understanding, non-judgmental support system, many youth can get back on a positive track and thrive, even after major setbacks. Believe your child has potential for growth and share your hope with them.
Lean On Us for Extra Support
At New Day Recovery Family and Youth Service, we know firsthand that applying these coping strategies is much easier said than done in the midst of chaos. Allow us to support you and your family during this time.
Our team brings decades of experience working with Oklahoma’s most vulnerable youth and families. We provide:
- Individual & family counseling
- Support groups
- Case management
- Mentorship programs
- Psychosocial rehabilitation
- And more
Everything we do focuses on bringing out the best in people and helping families heal together. We’d be honored to walk this difficult journey with you. Reach out today to learn more or schedule an appointment by calling (405)-525-0452 or visiting https://www.newdayok.org/. With compassion and perseverance, there is hope.