| Today's youth can and do get into trouble in so many | | | | activities are always supervised by the adult members |
| different ways. There is the all-time favorite pastime, | | | | of the church who are in the right position to provide |
| the internet. There's also the media, and drugs and | | | | spiritual guidance to the teenager. |
| addictive materials are easily obtainable. Medications | | | | Parents can also foster their children's giftedness. |
| easily correct hormonal problems causing mood | | | | Supporting their children's musical, art, dancing, or |
| swings in the young. On the other hand, social/societal | | | | starting them on a hobby is another way of |
| problems are not that easy. Prevention is better than | | | | encouraging teenagers towards a positive focus on |
| the cure appropriately refers to troubled teenagers, | | | | life which would keep them out of trouble. This also |
| which should spur parents to take action at the first | | | | greatly adds to the adolescents self-esteem and gives |
| signs of trouble and nip it in the bud. | | | | their life a meaning and purpose. Another word of |
| One way of steering the youth out of trouble is to | | | | caution to the parents allow your teenagers to set |
| encourage their involvement in a sport or any activity | | | | their own goals and achieve those at their own pace. |
| they have interest in. Aiming to beat the competition or | | | | Building over-achievement will turn out negatively in the |
| to excel in that sport surely keeps them occupied | | | | long run. |
| enough to not have any interest in getting into trouble. | | | | You can also build a sense of community spirit and |
| Team sports give an opportunity for learning positive | | | | volunteerism in your teen. Register them in community |
| values and healthy interaction with their peers. Reports | | | | service programs to present a meaningful use of their |
| show that inner city schools were able to keep their | | | | free time. Many young people are said to find |
| youth out of trouble and develop a positive outlook in | | | | satisfaction in reading to the elderly or visually |
| life through baseball. A note of caution to parents don't | | | | challenged. |
| pressure your teenager to over-exert him/herself at | | | | It is not that difficult to keep your adolescent child out |
| the sport or get into one s/he is not interested in. The | | | | of trouble. Do some proactive action to ensure your |
| effect on them could be contrary to what you're | | | | teenager adjusts to his/her adolescent stage and |
| hoping for. | | | | eventual adulthood. Positive parenting is crucial at this |
| Active involvement in religion and spiritual activity can | | | | time. Parents could set examples to their adolescents |
| also be another way. Volunteering in church programs, | | | | through regulated lifestyles. Do away with authoritarian |
| Sunday school or charity programs keep the | | | | parenting. Be a mentor, a role model, a firm guide and |
| teenagers minds away from trouble. This would also | | | | do make time to spend quality moments with them. |
| promote relating with other kids in their church who | | | | Keep close tabs on your adolescents, and seek out |
| could be positive role models. At the same time, these | | | | medical or psychological help if necessary. |