Ask a Question. Any Question!

Archives

• Current Questions
• December 2008
• November 2008
• October 2008
• September 2008
• August 2008
• July 2008
• June 2008
• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• December 2007
• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007
• July 2007
• June 2007
• May 2007
• April 2007
• March 2007
• February 2007
• January 2007
• December 2006

Search:

Ask a Question. Any Question!

Do you have a question about parenting? Ask it here! Click the box on the left to get started. One of the hundreds of other parents in the community - or a Connect With Kids staffer - will answer your question. Don't need advice, but prefer to give it? Then come back here often, to post a response to a question that someone else asked. Click Here to Ask a Question

<< Prev | All Questions | Next >>

Behavior

Posted by: Delia Curley on February 22, 2008 at 6:12PM EST

I have a 14 teen yr. old daughter that has been suspended from school 4 times this year, has runaway twice, and skipped school today and has not come home yet. What do I do?

(3) Answers

Posted by: Skip on March 8, 2008 11:31AM EST

I agree with Sue and si. Your best bet is to obtain an outside person to talk with your daughter, someone she trust or looks up to that is diligent and mature. Here are some ideas, a coach, a teacher, principal or guidance counselor. Go to them. Explain the problem and ask them for assistance and ask them not to inform your daughter that you have talked with them. At least not now. They could have that very influence and it could make your daughter come right back to you with apologies or make her come back and actually want to discuss her lifestyle with you. They key is getting her to open up. The more you persist the more she will resist.

Skip-

Posted by: sj on February 29, 2008 9:52AM EST

I agree with Sue-- if you are going to be able to reach her and address this behavior-- you have to act now and be determined. The path she is on will alter her life-- especially if she doesn't finish high school. I know this has to be painful to you, but sometimes you need an outside person to help the two of you be able to communicate.

Posted by: Sue F. on February 24, 2008 10:50AM EST

It sounds like she has an underlying problem driving this bad behavior. I would get her into counseling immediately. Even if she doesn't want to go, make her go anyway. Sometimes kids act out like this because they don't know how else to ask for help. Good luck.