The Consult Educ ‘network was born six years ago from a simple observation: since the specialized teachers could not speak to the parents of young people in school failure, it was necessary to go to them. Today, it is aimed at all parents who are going through a difficult situation with adolescents from 12 to 20 years old, or even younger children. “They come to our site with keywords like” violence “or” denial of authority “… Destitute, at the end of the line, they no longer know which way to turn and contact us as a last resort to get out of the crisis”, notes Thierry Brenckle, specialist educator and educational consultant in the Greater East.
Involve the young person … and his parents
It all starts with a telephone interview with the parent (s), to identify the situation and the issues and set up a first meeting at home. If the parents deem it preferable not to warn the young person in advance, the consultant can take care of it during his first visit. “I speak first with the parent (s), then with the young person, always in his room because it is important to come into his world. Everyone gives me their version of the problems, sometimes I ask to see the bulletins, the court reports … Then we end with a common debriefing all around the table and we set the objectives for the teenager … and for the parents. The brothers and sisters are not involved, ”explains Thierry Brenckle.
After this first meeting of two to three hours, the educational consultant returns every two weeks for an hour to an hour and a half. During each visit, he takes stock of what has worked well and what remains to be improved, and gives concrete objectives. For example, for a teenager who has forced a lock, accompanying his father to buy what is needed and repair it together … loose linkbetween father and son. Depending on the case, the follow-up can last from 2-3 sessions to several months.
Channeling the “child kings”
Educational difficulties sometimes begin very early and do not spare any environment. “A dad contacted me about his seven year old daughter who he said was hellish. In the little girl’s room, I discovered a television and a Playstation, toys all over the floor … Moreover, the father came home late and let his daughter sleep in her place with her mother. To begin with, I asked the father to return to the marital bed, ”says Thierry Brenckle. It is often a lack of framework that puts the young in insecurity and encourages him to push back the limits … Sometimes until the total refusal of parental authority, or even until the violence. The objective is therefore to hand over the educational keys to parents to help them take back the reins. Without making anyone feel guilty, neither the child nor the parents.
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