| Here, we shall discuss when a parent should think | | | | their best to help. They try to help your child get |
| about involving the police when it comes to | | | | back on track; they try to help you get control |
| handling a violent child with obedience defiance | | | | again; they can, at times, try and get you financial |
| disorder (ODD). | | | | aid; and they also try and get the support |
| If you are dealing with a very young child then | | | | systems working for your child. |
| this might not prove to be helpful, but it can be | | | | However, after your child's 18th birthday, this |
| quite effective in dealing with older children and | | | | doesn't remain the same. This is because upon |
| teenagers. | | | | turning 18 your child is legally an adult and will |
| There are many parents who are quite unsure | | | | henceforth be tried by the adult penal system. |
| when it comes to involving the police, and this is | | | | This is why parents should try and get things |
| not without reason. Most of us have heard stories | | | | back on track soon; all the more so if it looks like |
| about things going from bad to worse when the | | | | the child is heading downhill, creating mayhem, |
| police are involved, but most of these stories are | | | | being violent, and getting stuck in uncompromising |
| usually just made up. | | | | positions. Knowing this, a parent shouldn't wait |
| Also, parents need their children's forgiveness, and | | | | before thinking about helping their child. |
| they feel that they might not get it if they call | | | | This is essentially because after the child turns 18, |
| the police. Some parents end up thinking that | | | | any illegal or unlawful action can result in severe |
| they'd lose their children, with them being 'put | | | | punishments. Treading on such a path, and if help |
| away'. However, most such fears are without any | | | | doesn't come soon, a child can very well expect |
| credence. | | | | to have an adulthood filled with crime. |
| The police is basically there to help, and they | | | | Involving the police is very much needed in many |
| derive no pleasure whatsoever in playing with | | | | scenarios. And you should know that the police do |
| your children's futures. | | | | try to help. If you feel that a situation involving |
| The point I wish to make is this; there are | | | | your ODD teen can quickly deteriorate and get |
| instances when, as a parent of an obedience | | | | out of control, you should ideally think about |
| defiance disorder child, you have to get the police | | | | getting the police involved before the situation |
| involved. | | | | actually gets out of control. You can also choose |
| When should you do this though? | | | | to contact local juvenile agencies and find out if |
| If you see your child turning abusive and | | | | there's any help that they can provide. |
| becoming violent, if your child is destroying | | | | In circumstances when you think police |
| property, and if you, as the parent, think you can | | | | involvement might be required, try and plan this in |
| no longer hold fort; you should get on the phone | | | | advance, as opposed to making an 'emergency' |
| as quickly as possible. | | | | call. You should try to foresee any violent |
| At this moment your child refuses to recognize | | | | behavior on your child's part and make your plans |
| the authority that you carry as his parent. Police | | | | accordingly. |
| intervention at this point would help, because | | | | Parents of an ODD teen can benefit greatly by |
| theirs is a voice that can't generally be ignored. | | | | planning for the future. Besides, having the |
| Any kind of abuse as well as any form of | | | | knowledge of the various alternatives that are |
| destruction has to be addressed firmly. Children | | | | available is also suggested. |
| who indulge in violence and aren't corrected in | | | | Just the knowledge that the police can be |
| time can face a rather difficult life. | | | | summoned as back up gives a number of parents |
| After your child's 18th birthday, any unlawful | | | | the required confidence. This confidence alone |
| activity that he indulges in will come with serious | | | | helps avert many situations where police |
| consequences. | | | | involvement could be necessary. |
| Before that though, the involved authorities do | | | | |