Life Notes: Rounding Up this Year’s Programs
by Adrian Seney, MSW

What a tremendous eye-opening experience the past year has been! When I began working at the Methodist Children’s Home last June, I did not know what to expect. In my position at the Children’s Home, I go into the homes of families, most with adolescents, and assess their needs. I then help the family connect with community resources that may be helpful to them. This is a rewarding, yet sometimes challenging responsibility. I can remember feeling very nervous and awkward about sitting in a stranger’s home and asking intimate details of their life. Little did I know what I would learn from that experience and future experiences.

First, I learned that most parents, and families, are doing the very best they can with what they have available to them. I learned that parents who have “out-of-control” adolescents are not “bad” parents and “out-of-control” adolescents are not necessarily “bad” kids.

Second, I learned that there are a lot of families and adolescents in our community that are struggling with many issues. The adolescent years can be very difficult for teens and parents. I remember my adolescent years as being confusing and sometimes difficult. I look back now and see my parents in a totally different light. They had a hard job, but were able to parent so that I knew the limits, but also knew they loved me unconditionally.

Parents and teens today are faced with many obstacles, but there is help available. There are books (Parenting Your Out-of-Control Teenager by Scott Sells) and web sites (www.parenting.com/parenting) to help the process along. Some families may even choose to participate in family therapy.

Parenting can be a tough battle, but don’t give up; the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
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The Life Notes articles are written by staff of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home and are published in The Ruston Daily Leader.