I know what it’s like to struggle with the desperation of having an out-of-control teen, because years ago, that struggle consumed my life.

I know what it’s like to wake up and my son had played video games all night – and I knew there was no way I would get him to go to school – again.

I know what it’s like to lay awake all night, wondering, “What in the world can I do to get through to him? How are we going to get through this? What do I do?”

It got so bad that I once called the police on my own son.

My husband and I met with a dear friend and I have a clear memory of him asking as he held up one hand and then the other, “Do you want this kind of prison for your son (residential therapeutic school) or this type of prison?” That’s the road we were heading down.

So, I know how painful it can be. And, I know what it’s like to be on the other side of it.

To have my son in a good place and to have a good relationship with him. I go to bed at night grateful for how I feel about myself and my life – positive, confident, hopeful.

I want this kind of life for everyone!

That’s why I do the work that I do. 

Because I know how painful and scary it can be when you have an out-of-control teen.