What
to do when your child has runaway.
1. Call
the Anchorage Police Department at 786-8500.
2. Call their friends. Many kids stay with friends when they leave
home. Even if the friend says they haven’t seen your child,
ask the friend to pass on the message that you care about your
child and want to make sure that they are safe.
3. Contact our Crisis Center at 272-1255. Most youth in Anchorage
know that they can come to us if they need a safe place to stay.
4. Call the school counselor to find out if your child is still
in school and any other information the school might be able to
provide.
5. Go to the mall and other places where kids usually hang out.
Distribute a flyer with your child’s picture and your contact
information.
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14
Tips on Teens by Evelyn Petersen
1. Let them know that you are willing to listen
to their ideas without making judgments. Talking is a way they
think things out.
2. Be accessible. they often blurt things out
or want to talk at strange or inconvenient times. Be ready to
listen anytime, anywhere.
3. Use questions sparingly. Resist the
urge to know EVERYTHING they are thinking or planning. Show some
trust; you would expect the same
.
4. Try not to be defensive. When they
make generalizations or critical remarks, don`t take them personally.
They are opportunities for discussion.
5. Give straight forward advice or feedback on important
issues. They need to hear you and they do hear
you, even if they pretend indifference.
6. Talk about yourself sometimes instead of them.
They hate to be the only topic under discussion. Tell
them about your own teen memories and mistakes.
7. Set up family meetings and use them to full advantage.
Get input from each person on rules, curfews, etc. as
well as on the consequences of breaking rules. Sign agreements,
try them out; modify as needed.
8. Show intimacy. They are still kids inside;
they need the warm feelings of belonging that come from good touches
and hugs.
9. Give lots of praise and positive feedback.
They need to hear the "good stuff" just like the rest
of us. They need to know you love them for who they are inside,
as well as what they can do.
10. Give them responsibilities with every privilege.
That`s real life.
11. Teach them to make decisions and make them
accept the consequences of each choice they make.
12. Teach them to deal with information.
Teach them to think critically about what they see or hear, as
well as how to sort out and prioritize information.
13. Take time to relax and have fun. They
need to learn positive ways to manage stress; enjoying each other
will build lifetime relationships.
14. Make them earn what they want and know the
difference between wants and needs. Instant gratification does
not teach life skills.
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Top
Ten Techniques to Better Communication with Your Teen
1.
Be a good listener first. Listening is the golden rule of communication.
2. Don’t let disagreements become personal. If you don’t
agree with someone, disagree with his or her behavior, not the
person. “I feel furious that the dishes haven’t been
done.” is better than “You’re a lazy slob.”
3. Never Assume. Never assume what others are thinking…Ask
them! Don’t assume that others know what you are feeling
or thinking…TELL THEM.
4. Don’t blame. Say specifically how you feel (i.e. annoyed,
angry, frustrated) and why you feel that way. Don’t blame
another person for how you feel.
5. Think in terms of compromise not winning. You don’t need
to win an argument or get the last word to be understood.
6. Be specific. Be honest and direct. Sometimes it takes courage
to say how we feel, but we feel better about it afterwards.
7. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. It is easier
to understand someone if you look at the situation from their
point of view.
8. Don’t fight old battles. Stick to the present situation.
9. Talk a little bit every day. As you slowly build a relationship,
it becomes easier to talk.
10. Write a letter. Sometimes we need to take time to work out
our feelings. Writing can help you express yourself without direct
confrontation.
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