I'm a little reluctant to post this here, because everyone seems to believe in Residential Treatment Center (RTC)'s, but I will put it out anyways for your responses since so many of you have been where I am.
My difficult child does not have a diagnosis that I can use to get him admitted to an Residential Treatment Center (RTC), at least not with my insurance paying, and he is totally out of control at home - kicked me last week and has been regularly damaging or destroying my things and the house itself. I've called the police but they haven't seen it as a serious matter - say many kids this age are "explosive" and it's normal (which I interpret to mean they don't want to be bothered to do all the paperwork and go to court to testify when judges in the area are known for being lenient - many cutbacks in the local police dept. due to the current economy affecting their morale also, but that's another story).
Next week I go to court and will likely have difficult child put into foster care (could be with a family, could be a group home) - other option is jail as he has violated probation. I don't feel safe with him in the home anymore. His social worker and probation officer are supportive of my moving him elsewhere on a short-term basis.
Of course now that difficult child knows the court date is coming up he is on his best behavior to try to avoid consequences so I am doubting myself; also family counselor seems to think if she asks him not to assault me anymore and he says he won't that will solve the problem - he has made the same promise before on numerous occasions.
He won't take medications and anger management classes didn't help.
No family members will take him.
I feel so sad that it has come to this.
My difficult child does not have a diagnosis that I can use to get him admitted to an Residential Treatment Center (RTC), at least not with my insurance paying, and he is totally out of control at home - kicked me last week and has been regularly damaging or destroying my things and the house itself. I've called the police but they haven't seen it as a serious matter - say many kids this age are "explosive" and it's normal (which I interpret to mean they don't want to be bothered to do all the paperwork and go to court to testify when judges in the area are known for being lenient - many cutbacks in the local police dept. due to the current economy affecting their morale also, but that's another story).
Next week I go to court and will likely have difficult child put into foster care (could be with a family, could be a group home) - other option is jail as he has violated probation. I don't feel safe with him in the home anymore. His social worker and probation officer are supportive of my moving him elsewhere on a short-term basis.
Of course now that difficult child knows the court date is coming up he is on his best behavior to try to avoid consequences so I am doubting myself; also family counselor seems to think if she asks him not to assault me anymore and he says he won't that will solve the problem - he has made the same promise before on numerous occasions.
He won't take medications and anger management classes didn't help.
No family members will take him.
I feel so sad that it has come to this.