I have a troubled/rebelious teen?

Question

I adopted him after taking him on as a foster parent (as well as his two younger brothers). He is currently 15-years-old and had been molested by his father prior to the birth of his youngest brother, whom is just under two years old.

I am concerned about my 15-year-old because he has engaged in risky activity before while I have had him, including dissapearing from his bed in the middle of the night and I have found cut marks on his wrists. I have had trouble from him with online chatrooms and older people having sexual based conversations with him.

Recently it came to my knowledge that he has been prostituting himself and doing drugs. He was taken to the police station to talk to an officer.

I need to know what would be most effective, bootcamp, military school or anything like that. He IS seeing a phychiatrist and has only just turned 15, so he is quite young.

What should I do about him. If you have and information links that would be great or email me at [e-mail]

Answer 1

He needs to be seen by a s*x counselor also not just a psychiatrist only ,because he has been molested and cannot control his sexual activities. You were put i this situation as a test from God so consult God also to help you through this trying time for some guidance.If this does not work think about sending him back into foster care.It will be a hard decision but think about the others and yourself. May God Bless You in these hard times and Good Luck.

Answer 2

Bless you, I raised 7 foster children myself.  It's good that he sees a psychiatrist but he indeed needs to see a sexual abuse counselor and possibly an addiction counselor.  It would be good if you gave them permission to discuss your son with each other.  You don't say if there is a father figure in the picture.  Is there?  How is that relationship? If not, he needs someone that is strong but compassionate- perhaps from Big Brothers or a member of your church.  I would not recommend bootcamp or military but perhaps a rehabilitation program.  In any case, he needs to know he's loved and safe but that you will not continue to enable (by doing nothing), his behavior.

Answer 3

One option you may want to consider is Boys Town.  I'm not sure what their criteria would be as far as your son is concerned but they have a wonderful program that he may benefit from.  I do know that they have several locations throughout the U.S.  http://www.boystown.org/home.asp

Answer 4

You must contact the psychiatrist and let him/her know what's going on.  Your son is obviously experiencing a very rough time in his life and needs all the support he can get.  As one of the adults in his life, you MUST "take charge" and make sure he gets the proper care.

God bless you for caring and being concerned.  You sound like a very good person and will make the right decision for the good of your son.  The best of everything for both of you and the rest of your family.