RE: Challenging Youth

Hi my name is Sidney Dicks I am the project director of Athlone Youth and Family Development Centre. I deal with troubled youth who are substance abusers or present difficult behaviour.

For the past 9 years I have worked with many troubled youth who have ultimately end up on the streets due to a lack of good parenting. Many youth don't communicate to their parents due to both parents working and don't spent much time with their children. Through my research I have discovered that many families have removed the table in the home, hence youth don't have an opportunity to commune with their parents around the food table.

This is a message I am currently trying to share with parents. In order to increase your parenting skills you have to increase your opportunity to communicate daily with your child. This will enhance your communication and children will most likely tell you more about their world.