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Archive through July 14, 2005

The TVClubHouse: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2005 - 4: Brat Camp: Archive through July 14, 2005 users admin

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Jennabeesmommy
Member

06-06-2004

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 6:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Is anybody else watching this? I like it, it's something different. I'll be interested to see if the kids actually change, and if they have stayed that way, since this was filmed last fall and winter.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 6:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Would some explain why they feel the need to make the distinction 'adoptive' parent? I don't see them saying 'biological' parent.

Jennabeesmommy
Member

06-06-2004

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 6:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think that's dumb too, because the way I feel is that a parent is a parent period. But, I think that being adopted brings up a lot of issues for some people, and that could be the problem for some of the kids, so that might explain why they pointed it out.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 7:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Did they say anything about their adoption being an issue? Only 2 of the screwed up kids were adopted, so it can't be a huge contributing factor in the scheme of things.

Legalboxer
Member

11-17-2003

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 7:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
"Only 2 of the screwed up kids were adopted,so it can't be a huge contributing factor in the scheme of things"

i think that is a rush to judgment - just to be clear, i also hate when people always say adopted parent or child - a parent is a parent - but that being said we cant know what led to the kids current state of being and there are a lot of adopted kids who get messed up because of issues surrounding the adoption - feeling abandoned, lied to, unsure of who loves them, alone or isolated, different, questioning who they were, maybe coming from a family of abuse (either biological parent abused them as young kids or adoptive parents or foster family had abuse).. we cant assume that just because they are adopted that that has led to problems but we also shouldnt say it wasnt a major factor - we just dont know. there are a lot of kids who are fine being adopted just as there are a lot that get meesed up - the same goes with kids having major problems in a divorce while other kids turn out fine, and so on. Each kid has their problems because of their life, whatever it has been like - having a parent die doesnt always mess up kids like it has Lauren (?), but to Lauren that was a big factor, some kids dont go the route that lexi has when they are molested (although they do all have problems in some way or another to work out) but to lexi, that incident was a huge factor, just because a kid has adhd doesnt mean they are problematic but at the same time, that can be a factor in how kids behave if not controlled properly and so derreck may have been a different kid if not for the adhd ... and so that brings me back to my point that its very possible that adoption was a huge factor in the two kids there who were adopted - we cant be sure but its not as if all kids in trouble share the same factors that bring them to this point in their life.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 7:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
But they didn't flash under Lauren's mom's picture "widowed mother" or under one of the kids "has ADHD".....not saying that their history (social and medical) doesn't play a part in their lives, just why the distinction?
So many times you will see a headline "adopted child kills parent" or "adopted child runs away from home" but never do they print "biological child kills parent". It irritates the hell out of me that the word adoptive seems to always be added like it somehow explains the situation. Oh, yes, that's why they did it....they were adopted, don't need to know more than that.


Puzzled
Member

08-27-2001

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 8:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I agree, Texannie, they way overdid repeating "adoptive parents." They are parents, and if their child has issues about being adopted that could be brought out the same way the other kids' issues were.



Jodied75
Member

08-26-2004

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 8:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I really liked this show. I'm looking forward to the next episode.

Those counselors really have a lot of patience, especially with Jada. "Phantom Dook" LOL. I can see this becoming a new teen slang. "Hey! Who left the phantom dook in the toilet??? Whatever *bleep* did this, c'mon and flush!!!"

I would hate hate hate this experience. It's more torturous than Survivor, you're forced into group therapy all the time, and there's no million bucks at the end! (I know, I know, they're getting something worth more than money).

The counselors' "names" really bug me.

Lilfair
Member

07-09-2003

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 8:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I was cracking up about the counselors' names because it reminded me of when my daughter and husband were in Indian Princess’. They all took on those Native American type names. We became friends with a lot of the parents and after a few cocktails; they all reverted to there Indian Princess names.

I’m thinking these kids are going to lose a lot of weight. All that hiking and that plain food. They had 2 of the kids on GMA today…they seemed to have a much better attitude.

I was surprised that I cared about these kids.

Does this show has potential to spark parents across the country to start calling these boot camp type program for their kids?


Puzzled
Member

08-27-2001

Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 9:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm just amazed at how quickly these kids break down.

I was sent to an institution for kids like this, and the more they cr*pped on us, the more stubborn most of us got. Surprisingly, the kids who broke down and "behaved," ended up with more problems than the kids who toughed it out. You just never know.

Hobbs
Member

08-05-2002

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 5:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Is this a real place that counsels kids even when not on TV? Or was it all made up for a reality show?

Sewmommy
Member

07-06-2004

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 5:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
"Does this show has potential to spark parents across the country to start calling these boot camp type program for their kids?"

You know Lilfair I was wondering the same thing. I have no experience with these type of camps, but it does seem to be some sort of last resort, as opposed to extended prison time. My assumption is that it is not cheap, if you chose a well run camp. My concern is that many not so well run camps may (or already have) pop up and do more damage than good.
My heart really went out to these families, the kids included. We did watch some of this with dds (9&5) as a way to open up conversations as to where your choices can lead you in life. We have talked with them before, but used this as a real example of what can really happen. Right choices aren't always the easy ones.It does scare me that kids can be exposed to drugs and alcohol in middle school.
As for the "adoptive parents", that did kinda bug me as well. It would have made more sense to keep the description changing under their names so we could have a little more history. I know there was more to the kids than "violent punk" or "liar" or "tried to kill twin". Maybe we will see more as the season continues.




Legalboxer
Member

11-17-2003

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 6:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
outward bound programs have been around since i was very young and i always heard of kids going for varying lengths of times, either by choice to get the experience or as a means to "grow up". this one is probably different in the way they have all the counseling too (and the names which i dont like either) but concepts like this have been around at least 3 decades.

Hummingbird
Member

08-21-2002

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 8:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I am glad the counselors are taking a calming approach to the kids. I hated those "boot camp" shows where the leaders screamed in the faces of the kids and intimidated them. Who knows if this will have a long-lasting effect on these kids but the parents are obviously desperate and need something drastic to happen.

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 8:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I liked the show and it made me very happy that my dd is way past being a teenager!

Legal, Outward Bound began in the late 60's. I have an ex-bil who worked with and for them for quite a number of years. He worked with both the problem kids and the ones who came for the 'adventure.' I have much respect for OB and all they have accomplished through the years.

So far, this program seems to be using very similar tactics. As Puzzle indicated, 'Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.' I believe that has a whole lot to do with the parents changing the way they discipline and handle situations at home once the kids return.

Ladytex
Member

09-27-2001

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 9:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Kstme, that's what we were discussing at home last night. We thought that the parents needed counseling and some of them also needed parenting classes.

Max
Member

08-12-2000

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 9:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yes, it's a real place. :-)

Sagewalk

I enjoyed the show so far. I think it will be interesting seeing the process work with these kids.

Sillycalimomma
Member

11-13-2003

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 9:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
We watched the show last night and I am so not looking forward to the teenage years with dd! Although, I like to think that we have started the foundations already for respect (for herself and others) and hopefully we won't be going down a road like these parents.
A few things to note- DH's mother was killed when he was 14. It was sudden and unexpected (drunk driver) and he lashed out very similar to the girl whose father passed away. His father sent him to a similar place as this boot camp and it did nothing but make things worse. Not so sure boot camp was the best decision for that girl either
in fact, if they don't continue to get support at home and consistant boundaries (especially Jada) then this boot camp will have been pointless IMO. They may learn more about themselves and do some growing up, but as far as the drug use-if they don't get new friends then it won't matter IMO.
Im bummed because yesterday I was flipping channels and noticed that two of the kids were on a talk show. I didn't watch it all, but the boot camp didn't seem to change them all that much.

Also wanted to add-I don't know about where you all live but here in California we do have quite a few of these camps. in fact there has been a bit of an uproar about sending your children off to them over the past few years because there have been deaths of a few boys at these camps. I'll try and do a search for the stories because I am not familiar with all of the details...

Sillycalimomma
Member

11-13-2003

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 9:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
oh well....the searches I did came up with the story that was in my mind, but it was at the Arizona Boys Ranch which really was a boot camp place and the stories of what happened to that boy were nothing like the treatment going on at Sagewalk. Anyway, there are camps out there though that you can send your troubled teen. Im sure some are better then others. I wonder what SageWalk cost?

Hereiam
Member

03-29-2002

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 9:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
SageWalk has a website. Look under programs for cost... it is not cheap. It also looks like they have some family counseling and after treatment support which is good. Here is the link to their site
sagewalk.com

Sillycalimomma
Member

11-13-2003

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 9:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
A minimum of 60 days in the Wilderness
2 sessions per week with a Masters level therapist
An intense family component that aids in family healing
Weekly parent communication with the therapist
Parental participation in the SageWalk "Choices" Program
SageWalk Rite-of-Passage Program
SageWalk Primitive Skills Program
Parent workshop upon graduation
Six months of Coaching and Aftercare Services
Two year re-admittance policy
Academic credit through the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
Certificate of Graduation

Total for Tuition and Gear Fees: $22,440.00



wow....that is quite the cost isn't it? Sheesh, I knew it would be expensive, didn't think it would be that expensive.

Sillycalimomma
Member

11-13-2003

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 9:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I like that they give 6 months of coaching and aftercare services, a parent workshop and two year re-admittance. Can't really put a price on saving your child I guess, but man....that's what some of us make in a year....

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 10:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I liked the program, felt like the counselor names were silly, but I'm sure that isn't a deal breaker, that's expensive but no more than some private schools, or what the really intense sports program might cost, and if the kid is at the point where these kids have arrived.. could be lifesaving.

Glad to see that the parents must participate in something and, Ladytex, I agree, unless the parents really get training (I'd like to see them go through a parallel experience so that they could tell their kid..yeah, I had to do that 5 minute wakeup too!).

I mean, you can't just send your dog to be trained, you have to be trained along with the dog.. in fact the dog owner usually needs more training than most dogs.

And the price may just include saving more lives down the road, since they are dealing with kids who are already drugging/drinking and DRIVING, also ones with serious anger issues.

I wonder if there could be some funding so that this type of program could be used for diversion instead of sending kids to Juvy where they mostly get more training in criminal ways?

Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 10:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Silly, this isn't what I consider a 'boot camp'. When I think in those terms, I think military and yelling. This place seems, to me, to be a place where they really do try to work on the positives.

I don't think the cost is out of hand if, in the end, the results have been worth it.

Sillycalimomma
Member

11-13-2003

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 11:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
True Kstme. I should have taken the time to word that better. I don't see it as a boot camp either. Just kept typin it in cause thats what the kids were calling it all night. I think Sagewalk seems like a great place, just expensive is all.