Having made the decision to send your teen to a military boarding school, you may start to wonder what your teen will face when he gets dropped off. Your teen is sure to have plenty of questions of his own. Learning more about what to expect can help ease some of your and your teen's concerns about this new and next step.
What to expect on the first day
The first day can always be hard for teens and parents. Even if the situation at home has become tense, and you know this is the right choice for your teen, it can be an emotionally charged day for everyone involved. Just what can your teen expect from his first day?
Once your teen arrives, he’ll be welcomed by a member of the staff who will be responsible for his care. Any remaining paperwork might be handled, and your teen will be given a tour of the facilities. Whether you stay for this tour is likely going to be up to you. Some parents prefer allowing their teens to go through orientation independently, while others prefer to stick around for a bit.
Your teen will be introduced to his peers and likely be given an idea of what he can expect over the next few days. Don’t worry too much if you don’t hear from your teen over the next few days. Not only is he likely spending his time adjusting to his new routine, but he’s also probably working through a few emotions. The team of professionals caring for your teen will always be able to provide you with an update when you need it.
What does the daily routine look like?
Routine is such an important part of recovery and working towards goals. For troubled teens who may have been otherwise struggling at home and school, a routine they can rely on can help them understand what is expected of them. What might your teen’s routine look like? Keep in mind that routines can differ based on days of the week, weekends, and around holidays or other days of note.
Weekdays could look like this:
- Waking up at a scheduled time
- Recreational therapy, which may include a run or other physical fitness
- Breakfast
- Therapy, team building programs, group sessions
- Lunch
- Chores and other tasks
- Studying time
- Personal therapy time
- Dinner
Weekends could look like this:
- Waking up at a scheduled time
- Breakfast
- Cleaning and other chores
- Lunch
- Recreational therapy
- Studying and personal therapy work time
- Dinner
Remember that your teen’s experience may differ based on his needs and goals from his time at military school.
How will the experience shape your teen?
As is the case with most experiences, what your teen gets from military school may look different from what his peers benefit from. That said, the experiences military school offer have been designed to meet each student's mental, behavioral, and physical health.
Here are some ways that your teen’s military school experience may help shape him for a brighter and more focused future.
- Modified behavior that leans more towards the positive now.
- Improved discipline in all that he does, from handling chores to speaking with others.
- More willingness to help out and do what is asked of him.
- A sense of community and leadership.
- Improved confidence and self-esteem.
- A focus on the right behaviors, an ability to better handle stressful situations, and a strong focus on his future.
Your support and willingness to help your teen adjust both to life at military school and home again will go a long way toward helping his success.
Are you ready to learn more about what Liahona Academy can offer? Visit our website to learn more about our programs and how we can help troubled teens grow, learn, and focus on a bright future.
