Deciding to send your troubled teen to boarding school can be a very difficult decision to make. In most cases, it is probably the last resort. After years of struggling with your teen’s behavior, you have finally come to the conclusion that boarding school is the best option. But now you are faced with another difficult decision; telling your teen.
It is normal for your teen to feel scared, angry, and even betrayed when they first find out that they are being sent away to boarding school. They may lash out and say hurtful things to you at the moment.
In some cases, they may resent you long after they return home from boarding school. However, it is important to remember that your teen is going through a lot of emotions, and they may not be able to express them in a constructive way.
It is also important to keep in mind that your decision to send your teen to boarding school could ultimately be for their own good. You are doing what you believe is best for them, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the moment.
Why Would I Send My Teen to a Therapeutic Boarding School?
There are several reasons why you might decide to send your teen to a therapeutic boarding school. Here are some of the most common:
Violent or dangerous behavior
Consistent defiance that will not stop
Severe drug or alcohol addiction
Delinquent behavior (selling drugs, gang involvement, vandalism)
Consistently poor academic performance
A history of running away from home
Mental health issues
Whatever the reason may be, sending your troubled teen to boarding school does not mean that you have failed as a parent. Furthermore, admitting that you have done all you can as a parent and need help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
In some cases, parents find that enrolling their teen in boarding school can be a tremendous help. It can provide them with the structure and support they need to get their life back on track.
It can also give parents peace of mind knowing that their teen is in a safe and supportive environment where they can get the help they need.
Things to Consider Before You Send Your Teen to Boarding School
If you are considering sending your teen to boarding school, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Boarding Schools are Not a Quick Fix
The first is that boarding schools are not a quick fix for all of your teen’s problems. You must set realistic expectations for what boarding school can and cannot do for your teen.
What boarding school can do for your teen is provide them with a safe and structured environment where they can get the help they need. However, it cannot fix all of your teen’s problems overnight.
It will take time for your teen to work through their issues and make positive changes in their life. Additionally, it is your responsibility to ensure that these fixes are carried out at home once your teen comes back.
The Right Boarding School Can Make a Huge Difference
Another thing to keep in mind is that the right boarding school can make a huge difference in your teen’s life. Not all boarding schools are created equal.
Do your research and find a boarding school that specializes in helping troubled teens with the specific issues your teen is facing. This will give them the best chance at success.
Additionally, we recommend that you talk to parents and other teens who’ve been through the boarding school experience before deciding. They can provide you with first-hand insight into what to expect and how to make the most of the experience.
You Need to Talk With Your Family
After sending your teen to a therapeutic boarding school, you will need to have discussions with your family about what happened and why you made the decision to send your teen away.
This can be a difficult conversation, but it’s important to have nonetheless. It will allow everyone in your family to express their feelings and better understand what happened.
How to Tell Your Teen You are Sending Them to Boarding School
The last thing you’ll want to do as a parent is ship them off to a boarding school without explanation. Failing to explain yourself will only fuel their anger and resentment.
Instead, try to have a conversation with your teen about why you’re sending them to boarding school. Be honest with them about your concerns and explain that you believe this is the best thing for them.
It’s also important to give your teen a chance to voice their concerns and ask questions. This will help them feel like they are being heard and that you are making this decision together.
Finally, assure your teen that you still love him and that this isn’t a punishment. Let them know that you’re doing this because you want what is best for them. He may not understand right away, but as they mature, his temperament will improve and their attitude towards your decision.
How Sundance Canyon Academy Can Help
When making the decision to send your teen to boarding school, prepare for an emotional time. You and the rest of your family will need to readjust to your teen’s absence at home. At first, your other children will likely feel nervous about the transition. You’ll need to have conversations with them to help them understand the situation.
While your teen is away at boarding school, they’ll work through their issues and get the help they need. Here at Sundance Canyon Academy, we specialize in helping troubled teens with a wide range of issues such as addiction, mental health disorders, and behavioral problems.
We know how difficult navigating this time can be, which is why we help members of our therapeutic boarding school programs learn and understand their emotions. Through a variety of methods such as group therapy, individual counseling, and experiential learning, our students are able to develop the skills they need while coping with the feeling of being “abandoned.”
We also teach you how to support your teen during their time away and after they return home. Our goal is to help your family heal and move forward together.
If you are considering sending your teen to boarding school, we encourage you to contact us today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have about our program or the admissions process.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our program, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our goal is to help your family heal and move forward together.