TOUGH LOVE
MAY BE THE ANSWER...

Meredith Jordan knows the pain of being the parent of a dysfunctional child.

She had provided a loving and nurturing home for her son, provided for him, and yet he continued to act out.

Twelve years ago, at the end of her tether, she discovered Tough Love, a support group for parents troubled by their child’s unacceptable behaviour.

Now Ms Jordan is the Queensland coordinator of the organisation, which launched a Sunshine Coast branch last year.

She said the parents of children who bullied and flaunted the norms of society were often forgotten, even blamed for the behaviour of their problem child.

“The aim of Tough Love is to provide support and a sounding board for confused parents,” Ms Jordan said. “Often these people feel like they’re being attacked for their child’s behaviour when they are often powerless to do anything.”

“Most parents are equipped to deal with regular kids, but the behaviour of some children just isn’t regular.”

She said such children did not care about consequences, therefore punishment had no effect on their behaviour.

Ms Jordan said she was saddened by reports of a 12-year-old boy having been set upon by a group of youths at a Buderim Blue Light Disco, an attack led by the victim’s schoolmate, also 12.

She said the father of the bully, who described his son’s actions as “sickening”, had been very brave to speak about the impact his child’s actions had on his family.

According to Ms Jordan, the judicial system was letting parents of uncontrollable children down by not punishing them adequately for their actions.

She said, in many cases, the courts were the last port of call for parents at the end of their tether.

The Coast’s Tough Love group meets at Mountain Creek State School 6.30pm every Thursday.

To contact the local coordinator email vbat07@gmail.com or call 3856 3211.

More info visit:
www.toughlove.org.au