Is My Child Headed To Prison?

By Author: Shelly Hopkins
Total Articles: 2
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I have worked with kids for many years. I am often asked how do I prevent my child from getting into trouble and eventually going to prison. I am a parent myself and I can understand the concern. I have seen kids of all kinds and backgrounds and homes start getting into trouble with the law and eventually end up in prison. It is a sad thing to see. There are numerous things that can contribute to this.

I have seen parents react different ways when there children start getting into trouble. Some parents allow their children to talk to the police and demand that they tell the truth. There are others that tell their kids not to talk without an attorney. Most parents are horrified that their kids may be locked up in a juvenile jail or detention center. The fact is it is better they learn what will happen to them if they break the law while they are kids than when they are adults. Juvenile records are errased and not held against them when they become adults. It cannot be used against them when they apply for jobs, college, or even the military. If they commit a crime at age eighteen. It could possibly follow ...
... them for the rest of their lives. Which would you rather have happen? Most juvenile detention centers are just like jails but only hold kids of a certain age usually 12-17. Kids held at these places learn what it is like not to be able to see family and friends. How bad it is not to be able to eat what you like, or when you want, and all the other perks of a jail setting.

I have seen kids from all classes in detention. I don't know how many parents I have heard say the popular line my child whould not do that! The fact is most upper class parents speak that line. It is not true. If you could be with your child 24-7, then maybe you could say that. I have a saying, don't say your child won't do something or commit that crime, because that is they very thing they just did!

If I could give one bit of advise for parents it would be to spend time with your child, especially when they are young! When they become teenagers that is when they start looking for attention elsewhere if they don't feel like they have yours. Kids do a lot of things just to fit in and get others attention. They will do drugs, join gangs, break laws, and countless other things. All because they want to feel like someone cares about them and thinks they are important. If you want your kids to not feel like they need to do things like drugs, gangs, crime, etc., then help them have assurance that you care about them and love to spend time with them when they are young. Then when they become teens they won't need to look for it somewhere else!