No Problem Teens

A student talking about his history of defiant behavior commented that he'd been the "problem child" of his family.  The term prompted a discussion of the label (like "problem teen"), which we avoid because they assume there's something inherently wrong with the child or the teen that needs to be fixed.

If our students are anything, they're troubled --- troubled by some experience of soul suffering that has found expression in problem behaviors.  Addressing the behavior includes caring enough to identify with their suffering, teaching them healthy ways to cope with emotional pain, and how they might grow from their experience.  It's not about "fixing" them, but about showing them how to handle life with its inevitable difficulties by developing themselves spiritually, physically and mentally.