I work with a group of older grade school kids (mostly boys) who make bad choices if left alone. So, they come to our center before and after school.
One boy *John* is heading down the wrong path. No matter what we do or say.
His brother is a monster. A horrible monster who was born a monster. I beleive he is the way he is because something is just plain wrong with him. He is in prison, and I am sure he will spend his life in prison. He is not going to turn 18 for a few months.
His little brother (the one who is struggling) is 12. He is smart, athletic, has a lot going for him. BUT I think he feels like he is the product of the monster brother. However, he isn't like his brother at all. We tell him this all the time. He says "I know". But, he doesn't really know. The father of these children died last year. *John* lives with their Mother, two aunts, a grandmother, three much younger cousins and two sisters.
We need to tweak a plan for him, to let him know that he really IS his own person. We have tried the harsh discipline, but it only makes him more bitter. I want to try a more gentle way. But how to be gentle with an angry 12 year old who has been through a lot in his 12 years?
More than Ideas, although, I would welcome them freely, I would love book ideas that I can read, then possibly ask my director to read. She is very open to new tactics.
His counselor kinda thinks we may have lost him already. She admits that John is not his brother... But, she still thinks if we keep this one out of jail, it would be a miracle. So, I may be beating a dead horse here.
One boy *John* is heading down the wrong path. No matter what we do or say.
His brother is a monster. A horrible monster who was born a monster. I beleive he is the way he is because something is just plain wrong with him. He is in prison, and I am sure he will spend his life in prison. He is not going to turn 18 for a few months.
His little brother (the one who is struggling) is 12. He is smart, athletic, has a lot going for him. BUT I think he feels like he is the product of the monster brother. However, he isn't like his brother at all. We tell him this all the time. He says "I know". But, he doesn't really know. The father of these children died last year. *John* lives with their Mother, two aunts, a grandmother, three much younger cousins and two sisters.
We need to tweak a plan for him, to let him know that he really IS his own person. We have tried the harsh discipline, but it only makes him more bitter. I want to try a more gentle way. But how to be gentle with an angry 12 year old who has been through a lot in his 12 years?
More than Ideas, although, I would welcome them freely, I would love book ideas that I can read, then possibly ask my director to read. She is very open to new tactics.
His counselor kinda thinks we may have lost him already. She admits that John is not his brother... But, she still thinks if we keep this one out of jail, it would be a miracle. So, I may be beating a dead horse here.
