ck1
New Member
Yesterday was our (husband and I) first visit with difficult child. He's been at the Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) for three weeks. Thankfully, it was very good. The first part was a family therapy session and it was non-eventful, no heated arguments just calm conversation. Then we just hung out outside for the next three hours. husband got us lunch, husband and difficult child threw a football, it was nice.
difficult child is very anxious to come home. Everyone there (at Residential Treatment Facility (RTF)) tells him how well he's doing and how he should be able to get through this quickly. We understand he's working hard and he's saying all the right things, but I don't want him to come home before he's ready, so there's the $$$ question...how do you know when they're ready???
Plus, we asked him when he comes home, what will he do when faced with all the temptations we know he'll be faced with? For example, he goes to a party and there are drugs there. What will he do? He said, well, I know I won't do them because I'll be on probation and I don't want to get in trouble. Also, I won't do that stuff again because that what made this whole mess start! That's good to hear, but the problem is with the probation comment.
Somehow, he thinks he'll be on probation until he's 18. Unfortunately, that's not the case, he'll be on probation until February!!! I'd love it to be until he's 18, but I'm not sure if I can do that. When all is said and done, he only has a simple assault (misdemeaner) charge.
Well, we were really happy with our visit. He seems much more mature and open to talking about everything. Also, every staff person (at least 6) we saw made a point of coming over to meet us because they wanted to say how highly they think of my difficult child. They said they he is ALWAYS very respectful and well-mannered and that he is a great leader and very positive influence for the other kids there. Obviously something has changed because I don't think he would have been described as a leader just a few months ago!
difficult child is very anxious to come home. Everyone there (at Residential Treatment Facility (RTF)) tells him how well he's doing and how he should be able to get through this quickly. We understand he's working hard and he's saying all the right things, but I don't want him to come home before he's ready, so there's the $$$ question...how do you know when they're ready???
Plus, we asked him when he comes home, what will he do when faced with all the temptations we know he'll be faced with? For example, he goes to a party and there are drugs there. What will he do? He said, well, I know I won't do them because I'll be on probation and I don't want to get in trouble. Also, I won't do that stuff again because that what made this whole mess start! That's good to hear, but the problem is with the probation comment.
Somehow, he thinks he'll be on probation until he's 18. Unfortunately, that's not the case, he'll be on probation until February!!! I'd love it to be until he's 18, but I'm not sure if I can do that. When all is said and done, he only has a simple assault (misdemeaner) charge.
Well, we were really happy with our visit. He seems much more mature and open to talking about everything. Also, every staff person (at least 6) we saw made a point of coming over to meet us because they wanted to say how highly they think of my difficult child. They said they he is ALWAYS very respectful and well-mannered and that he is a great leader and very positive influence for the other kids there. Obviously something has changed because I don't think he would have been described as a leader just a few months ago!