Once the birds chirp in the morning and the sun shines through the dusty blinds, it’s wake-up call. You proceed to the coffee pot, only to be distracted by your youngest child who is screaming to watch her morning cartoons and have her scrambled eggs. You’re out of eggs, you’re out of half-and-half. Your eldest daughter stumbles in from a previous night out. It was a school night and she knew the rules. Before you can even react, your cell phone rings. It’s your coworker who lives down the street. Traffic is backed up for 15 miles and it’s critical for you to get to the conference on time. “8:00 A.M.” she says, “and not a moment after. The CEO is there, so make sure to dress like you care for once.”
All the while, your eldest daughter is half naked and now yelling at your youngest daughter for yelling about wanting scrambled eggs. Your husband wakes up in a rage, and immediately starts arguing about why you can’t handle your children. Your fingers go up, the snaps start cracking. “I’m on the phone,” you silently mouth.
Coffee is still not made, nor is your bed, nor is the painted illusion of your family being sane. Your son is still not up, although his alarm has been consistently put on snooze for the last twenty minutes. A week ago, you found out he had skipped school for the second week in a row. He is thirteen, and apparently associating with the drug dealers on Fifth Street. Not even a phone call had been made to you until the eleventh day, or so you think. Your husband continues to argue. You anxiously get off the phone and yell back, “They’re not just my children, they’re yours too!”
Perhaps this isn’t quite the chaotic morning that you are familiar with. Perhaps you are separated; a single mother who feels if she has the world on her shoulders. No matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to keep peace within your household. It’s like taking one step forward and five steps back, especially after finding out that your child has gotten into several mishaps in middle school.
If you have been experiencing similar situations like this, if not worse with your teens for several months, it might be a good idea to start looking for additional assistance. Although public schools are “free,” they do incorporate an extensive amount of negative behavior. Private or boarding schools, especially a Christian boarding school, offer parents a helping hand towards obedience and authority. Boarding schools are similar to private schools, with the difference of having your child live within a 24/7 supervisory dormitory.
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