Kids in Crisis: A Workable Plan for Successful Parenting

by Ross Wright, Dean Merrill

From the popularity of “militant nanny” reality shows to the ever-struggling
disciplinary systems in our schools, there’s evidence that more and more kids
are seriously spinning out of control. For any mom or dad who thinks a
certain child is just too tough to handle, Kids in Crisis provides a sane,
workable plan for successful parenting. Author Ross Wright culls his wisdom from the trenches, having more than
twenty years of experience in the youth care field ranging from work at
psychiatric institutes to his current role as executive director of a remarkably
successful Christian foster care agency. Inside his engaging analysis of child
development and behavior is the all-important theme of identifying strengths.
By helping rebellious young people focus on what they do well, they in turn
learn responsibility by having something to care about, to protect, and to
productively share with others. Written ideally with more prevention than intervention in mind, the book still
speaks to parents who may currently be dealing with intense problems, from
anger and mood disorders to violent acts, drug use, and teenage pregnancy.

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author runs a foster care agency called “Hope and Home” and has many beautiful stories in this book about the hope and beauty to be found even in the mess of brokenness that is often surrounding foster care. The book was a great call to truly connect with and love children (whether foster or our own) as opposed to punishing or withholding from them. Ross is a strong advocate for positive reinforcement over punishments for wrong doing. And knowing that foster children have often suffered horrendous abuse, this is a good way to approach being a foster parent - love and grace and remembering that children don’t have all the tools adults do to handle abuse and stress and are often just surviving and coping the best way they know how. I found the writing a little repetitive, but overall was inspired. My favorite part of the book were the numerous real life stories of foster children’s interactions with foster parents, and the incredible impact of love and grace on both parties’ lives.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m coming into this knowing the author.
And maybe I’m gonna be harsher than the average person who doesn’t know.

I will say there are a few things in the book that resonate, tactics to try and maybe a better way to look at youth in crisis.

But…it doesn’t override:
1. the wordage he uses. Im sorry but - CRINGE. “Mona was, you might say, too physically endowed for her own good…” (! In what world do we need to visualize the size of a teens breasts to understand the story!)
2. The way he describes parents (foster, bio or adopted) - assuming we do and say EXTREME things to our kids - one example: “boy, back in my day, you got taken out behind the woodsheds and afterward you couldn’t sit down for a week! Why can’t we do that?” (Even if there was someone that asked that - please don’t lump the rest of us into that parenting basket!!)
3. How he presents himself as the problem solver, often contradicting the advice he gave parents seeking help… (“Dont threaten your kids.” But if you call Ross - it’s okay if he threatens to take them to cedar springs)
4. And perhaps I’m jaded - it always felt hard to hear the advice in person or read these stories on happy endings when he’s never fostered or adopted. It’s so much more complicated than that day after day, year after year…

To note: I was a foster parent for years and have been an adoptive parent for 16+ years.*

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and helpful. As a family who has recently taken in foster children who have been through trauma, this was exactly what I hoped it would be. It isn't just "tips," it's a whole new way of thinking about these kiddos and what they've been through. Highly recommended to anyone who is or will be parenting children who have been through trauma.

[Brett Shilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book--and not just for those with "kids in crisis." While it's written especially for those who are fostering, there are some highly practical ideas for every parent and anyone working with children and youth.