Parents looking for effective therapy methods to help a struggling young boy can learn about how we treat students involved in conflict at home or at school, at our boarding school in rural Wyoming. 

Oasis Boys Ranch understands that parents want to send a boy to a safe, monitored environment where their child receives personal care, and individual counseling that help heal emotional and mental disorders–whether brought on by trauma, foster care, adoption or family genetics. 

And while the young child or teen enrolls our boarding school for counseling, treatment, and improving academic/life skills, Oasis Boys Ranch Boys Ranch & School also helps young boys struggling with conflict issues improve their mental and physical health. 

When Conflict Happens at Home

Conflict between parents and children is normal. It is part of family life. But conflict that goes on for a long time and gets worse over time can cause stress and can hurt relationships. 

It is important to communicate with each other and bring conflict to a peaceful solution. You can do this through compromise or by agreeing to disagree.

No matter what else you do, communicate with your children and make sure they know that you love them. This can make dealing with conflict easier and more effective. 1

How a Parent Should Behave during a Constructive Conflict

• Respect the differences between you and your child. 

• Try to put yourself in our child’s shoes. Start your conversation with the words: “I understand that you…” followed by their point of view and your response to it.

• Take your child’s ideas seriously. Respect their taste and interests. Don’t disregard their feelings and views.
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  Do not discredit your child. Do not point out the child’s characteristics or traits. Avoid insulting phrases and don’t be inappropriate.

• Allow your child to express their emotions – even with shouting and tears. Any conflict is usually caused by stored up negative emotions. When all the negativity gets flushed away, new space is created for positivity. 
  
  • Offer them an alternative. If at a given time you cannot come to an agreement, make sure you offer a different option; one that will be acceptable and desirable for you and for your child. 
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  You must, without fail, tell your child and make them feel that you love and respect them as an individual. 

When A Child Experiences Conflict at School

Help your child unlock the keys to friendship with these conflict resolution behaviors tips:

Tip #1: Learn to Manage Strong Emotions

Helping children learn simple strategies for remaining calm, such as taking a deep breath or stopping and counting to ten is an important part of the process of effective conflict resolution.

Tip #2: Talk & Listen
Help your child to recognize the value of using words and speaking nicely to solve conflict. 

Tip #3: Problem Solve Together to Find a Solution
Initially children will need help to navigate the process of brainstorming potential solutions together, with the aim being to find a solution that makes everyone happy.

Tip #4: Encourage Fairness
Talk regularly with children about the benefits of being kind, being fair and sharing with others.

Tip #5: When Nothing Else Works
Teach your child that it is okay to walk away when nothing else works, and that they should feel safe to come to you or another trusted adult to seek assistance resolving difficult situations.

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Oasis Boys Ranch Helps Boys Heal Conflict Issues

We understand that parents can try to teach their children good ways to resolve conflicts at home, and at school. But some kids still continue to struggle and fight with parents, siblings and friends.

That’s why Oasis Boys Ranch treats boys involved in conflict issues. Counselors address your boys’ symptoms to determine if conflict issues are symptoms of other mental disorders, or not, and create an individual treatment plan to follow including outdoor experiences, and Love and Logic training. 

We also provide nutritious meals, and healthy exercise and activities. We want each student to experience effective counseling and treatment, as well as improve his daily life in a challenging environment, and be ready to return home as a changed young man.

If you want to learn more about how we treat young boys and teens struggling with conflict issues at our ranch and boarding school, please call (307)899-1690 now.

Oasis Boys Ranch wants to help you and your family!

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Sources:

1 https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Pages/HealthInfoToolsDefault.aspx

2  https://childhood101.com/8-tips-for-helping-your-child-resolve-conflict-and-be-a-good-friend/