Thank you

From: Susan Hammer - susan@gohammer.com
Date: 12/9/2001
Time: 11:28:00 PM
Remote Name: 24.39.157.8

Comments

I am a step-grandmother trying to help a 15 year old granddaughter who started a severe acting out pattern by stealing her mother's van with a 20 year old, burglarizing a near by marina, stealing gas on camera, multiple runaways from home, and eventually fighting a policeman with a concealed knife. To put it mildly, this is behavior her grandfather and I don't understand or identify with. But we want to help. Your article on strength-based assessment gives us a place to start. It is a solid explanation of how to try to make a difference. I've also found "A New Way of Understanding the Problems of Parents and Kids" By Debra Wesselmann, M.S., L.P.C., which explains the genesis of insecure attachments, to be a great help. Sometimes knowing at least part of a "why" is a relief and a spur to keep trying. It is wonderful to have the serious and forward-thinking work of academics and practioners available to the public via the web. Thank you. I believe that grandparents are a special source of help with troubled teens, and can also mentor the parents at any age. As Covey says, it is never too late to work on a "lovely" family culture. And anything grandparents can contribute intelligently is valuable. Thanks so much for your shared knowledge! Susan Hammer