Often parents have to make difficult decisions that are in the best interest of their children. You’ve decided that the only way to get your teen the help they need is to place them in a residential treatment center. But once you make that decision, you are faced with the reality of sending your child away to live somewhere else. And that can be scary for a parent.

Don’t Blame Yourself

By now, you’ve tried everything you could to help your teen with their issues, but there is a limit to what parents can do. Placing your teen in a residential treatment center does not mean that you have given up on them. It means that you are taking the next step to help and care for them, by providing professional treatment in a safe, secure environment.

Don’t blame yourself. You may be feeling like you’ve just failed Parenting 101. There are many reasons that teens experience emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues, and you are probably not responsible for all of their problems. Teens need to be accountable for their behaviors and choices. In the end, it doesn’t really matter how things got to this point. You’re here now, and you are doing your best to make your teen’s life better.

Brace Yourself for a Flood of Emotions

When the day comes that your teen leaves for the residential treatment center, you will feel a flood of emotions. You will miss your child and feel bad about their leaving. You may also feel relief at knowing they will be safe and closely monitored. Your home and family life will be much calmer and less stressful. And you may feel kind of guilty for enjoying the calm and quiet. Understand that all of these feelings are natural.

Your teen may react with anger or hurt when you tell them about going to a treatment center. Keep reassuring them that you love them and this in their best interest. Tell them that you are not punishing them or abandoning them. You just want them to get the help that they need. They may not believe this now, but in time, they will understand you are acting out of love and concern.

Talk with the teen’s other parent, whether you’re together or not, and any siblings. Make sure they understand the reasons why this step has become necessary. Assure them that you are confident this is the best action to take at this time.

Enlist Support

Be sure you have someone on your side. Work with a therapist to help you process your conflicted feelings. Talk with a trusted friend or family member who will give you the support and encouragement you need. Take time to do things that help you to feel grounded and calm. Don’t keep going over the past and asking how and why things went wrong for your teen. Remind yourself that your teen is getting more help than you could give them at home.

Getting Help with Your Decision

If you need help finding the best residential treatment center or therapeutic boarding school for your teen, contact HelpYourTeenNow. Our staff has 20+ years of experience evaluating the best centers in the country and finding the right placement for teens based on their specific needs. You can learn about the different programs available and read testimonials from parents and teens who have been helped by these treatment centers. With our help, you can rest easy knowing that you have made the best decision for your teen and your child will get the help they need.