There is no doubt a boot camp for your troubled teen can help. And that help comes in at least two major ways. First, you the parent get a break from the fighting and hassle of living with a troubled teen. Second, your teen gets a serious makeover, so much so that their life can be turned around. Yes, it's as important and as dramatic as that. Don't think small when your teen goes off to camp. Think success for life.

One of the major complaints made by the parents of teens who are troubled is that the teen is wasting their life. They don't work hard at school, they sit around at home they don't do anything worthwhile and healthy. Now there can be any number of reasons for this type of behavior and one beneficial aspect of a boot camp is the therapy angle. Here trained therapists can work with your son or daughter on a one to one basis and in group sessions. Your child may be reluctant to talk to you but far more open with a stranger, a professional staff member who is trained to work with troubled teens.

Besides there are many other teens at camp and all with their gripes and complaints about so many things in life. Your teen will feel among friends. Remember the camp is not there to punish but rather to help.

Motivation, taking responsibility and discovering the realities of life are just three of the areas which troubled teens face when staying at a boot camp. The aim is to turn the lazy teen into one with drive and ambition. It doesn't happen overnight but through therapy, bonding exercises and the building of trusting relationships, young people turn from being bitter about life to being excited.

Taking responsibility is a major step in any young person's life. Facing up to what they have done and what they need to do in order to contribute to society is what the camp is all about. Forget this attitude of 'the world owes me a living'. Instead the teen will ask how they can help others.

Of course discovering the real me is a vital part of any boot camp program. Why am I like I am? Do I have a condition such as ADD? Am I eating well? Am I treating myself and others with respect? Once these issues are faced and conquered, the troubled teen is well placed to be a 'fit and raring to go' young person. They can set goals and know ways to make those goals achievable.

To be brutally honest, some troubled teens definitely need a boot camp. Without that sort of treatment, the teen is heading for serious trouble. We hear of young people taking drugs, committing crimes and basically ruining their lives. That is the end result of an unchecked troubled teen. For some parents the time to act is now. Certainly investigate the boot camps which work with kids just like your troubled teen. Take action while you can. Help your son or daughter turn their life around.