*November 1st*

It is said in the PTI Program that "Any ten adults are smarter than any one kid." This is one of many principles that run an intervention approach to changing the lives of youth.

Let's be honest, for most of us, the first time we heard this statement, we were not certain it was true! In the midst of living with a young man or young woman who is out of control, a parent or guardian can become quite confused, perplexed, - even angry. (I call it, "Being off center.")

But this "is" a confidence builder, that "Any ten adults is smarter than any one kid!" With all the experience a room full of adults bring from diversity and experience of their lives, it's interesting to hear the creative ideas that emerge in conversation regarding choices as to how to respond to problematic activity of children. The challenge of wondering what a parent can possibly do, shifts to that parent having to determine which of the "100" choices he or she suddenly realized is at his or her disposal!!!

Remember what you read yesterday. "Your struggle is not so much with your child, than it is with a system that supports your child in his or her defiance against you." There are many aspects to why participating in an "adult team" for support in intervention highly increases your chances to save your loved one.

Yes, it is common that parents can sometimes feel secretly inside them that some how their child is smarter than they are! But your son or daughter actually has very little confidence. He or she is still a kid. You see, the confidence you seem to observe in your child's defiance is a "pseudo confidence" based on "half-truths" given by a negative support network that wishes to use your child against you.

Don't fall for it. There "is" hope. - "Lots" of hope. ... However, the answer often lies in not doing it alone. ...

[Written by Jim Hogue, MA, MFTI,
Supervisor: Peter Mosgofian, MA, MFT]