Will boot camp help my defiant teenager?

There is a growing industry aimed at parents who are struggling to cope with their wayward teen, and part of that industry is the boot camp solution. Be aware that the teenage boot camp can vary widely and that you will need to research your options carefully. Firstly you need to identify the extent of your teens wayward behavior, how destructive it is, how long it has been going on and how deep seated are the teenagers problems. If you feel that your teen has recently become very difficult, can you trace the start of the behavior to any particular incident?

It is not uncommon for teenagers to react with defiance when they feel their safe and secure world has been disrupted. Common triggers for occurrences of challenging teen behavior are divorce, changing schools, moving house and even a new baby in the family. The behavior may not last long and as the teen adjusts to their new circumstances, they may return to being the teenager you remember who responds to your discipline.

However, if the teenager seems to find it difficult to adapt to these changes in their lives, and the defiant behavior continues, you may feel they need a short sharp shock to return them to some semblance of self discipline and decent behavior. Most boot camps are modeled on military style training camps with very strict discipline and physical routines. If your teenager seems to resist all attempts to discipline them, is acting out most of the time, is sullen, aggressive and angry; a boot camp may provide the reality check that is needed to get them back on the right path.

Short-term boot camps are best for the teen heading in the wrong direction, perhaps just short of out and out criminal behavior. Petty crime such as shoplifting and joyriding which has resulted in warnings from the police may be repeated if further intervention does not take place. A teen who thinks they "got away with" minor criminal activities, will need it made clear to them that the parents take this very seriously and are not writing it off as teenage high jinks.

A spell at boot camp can be just the solution in this case; a program of self-discipline, following orders and a focus on respect, responsibility and the reality of criminal behavior is more likely to deter the teen from re-offending than a caution from the authorities. If your teen has more serious emotional problems, you will need to investigate alternative, residential, therapy based boot camps and treatment centers.