Hi Me-me Roller coaster is the perfect way to describe the last few months for us as well ! He is currently out on bail after spending about 4 months in youth detention including his 16th birthday as I refused to take him home as his risk taking was increasing. He lost a friend while he was in there who was killed in a stolen car, but that has had little impact. He is still breaching bail on a daily basis by not charging his tracker and not following his curfew, the only upside is atleast he is coming home most days and not being MIA completely. He is still caught up with his friends and trying to impress them by doing stupid stuff. He isn’t interested in making better choices yet. It’s so hard because there is such a demand for support services and huge wait lists so I’m trying to get him involved in positive activity but it’s hard while we wait for the services. It’s just day by day at the moment which is absolutely exhausting! It’s so sad that all the good from the first 15 years of his life is over shadowed by the poor choices of the last 12-18months. I hope that at some point something clicks for him and we can get him back on track- but it’s just a waiting game until he is willing. I hope that things with your son improves, just hang in there. ... View more

Unfortunately, after a couple of good weeks over Christmas my son has breached his bail conditions twice in the last two weeks and is currently MIA again. I expect this time when he is brought before the judge, they are not going to be so lenient and forgiving and he’ll find himself in youth detention until his current charges are brought before the court. I’m looking for some resources I can use to help me have the conversation with my 7yo about what is going on with her brother- particularly if he is going to be in youth detention for an extended period of time. Hoping to minimise the impact on her moving forward. Does anyone have any good websites or resources they could recommend to help? ... View more

Hi Adam Thankfully I have a very good support network of friends and family. I also have an amazing manager at work is very understanding and flexible! I have also been talking to a professional as well. I have 3 other children, one who graduates from high school this week, so it’s important that this doesn’t take over our lives. So I am really mindful of being present in their lives and celebrating them. The two older ones really tried hard to bring their little brother back into the family fold and spend time with him- so I’m also talking with them so they aren’t feeling too negative about him. It’s a constant juggling act- but I make sure I have some me time each day, talk with my friends and family - no one can pour from an empty cup! We are just taking things each day as they come. ... View more

Hi Philippa Thanks for reaching out. I was able to get him linked with a youth at risk program and a mentor, enrolled in a flexible school option and an appointment with a specialist in January. Unfortunately he hasn’t managed to stay out of trouble and has breached his bail and is currently MIA and having no contact with me or his two older brothers. Getting back into school took longer than I had hoped (he still hasn’t had an induction scheduled) so it has left him with no structured activity during the day to keep him occupied and open to linking back in with the people who he had gotten into trouble with. Currently waiting for him to get picked up for the breach of bail and we’ll start again. The breach may mean he is remanded in custody until his next court date though- although he doesn’t seem to think that will happen or is an issue. I am of course very disappointed as we had a couple of weeks with some real progress in both his attitude and behaviour. Now it’s a waiting game to see what happens next. ... View more

Thank you. I reported him missing to the police and when they located him the adults in the house said he was staying there. So they couldn’t do any more because of his age. I also reported to the local child protection services who told me all I could do was wait for him to come home. I have tried to link him with a local youth at risk program and they tried to locate him and provide supports but he had switched off his phone so they were unable to contact him. I will try to re-engage them again now he has to be at home as part of his bail Conditions and curfew. I have spoken to him about going to the GP and seeing if we can link him in with someone. He has agreed- hopefully he will follow through this time. Thank you for your feedback- sometimes you just need to be reassured that you are doing the right things. Hopefully we can get back on the right track without too much of a detour ... View more

It’s pretty challenging. I have a good support network around me who are helping me. He has been charged with stealing and robbery currently waiting to see a lawyer for some advice. He says he ran away because I try to force him to do things- go to school, look at getting a job, playing sport and helping around the house. I wouldn’t buy him a play station and tried to set boundaries. Where he stayed allowed him to do what ever he wanted, not go to school, smoke drugs etc. He tells me they treated him better. I’m not sure where the apathy is coming from, he just doesn’t see the big deal. My eldest son assures me I taught them right from wrong (which is comforting) and he just needs to time for his brain to catch up and sync with what he knows. He doesn’t see the consequences are that bad- all he needs to do is tell the judge he’ll do a program and he’ll be fine. ... View more