Woodbury Reports, Inc
Bonners Ferry, ID

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The Christian
Therapeutic Boarding School

Dr. Blondel Senior, PhD, the founder of the Advent Home Learning Center spoke with Lon Woodbury today on Parent Choices for Struggling Teens about the difference between a Christian school and the teachings of Christian principles as compared to a secular boarding school. Dr. Blondel explained that there is a greater Christian involvement with the staff and students and a greater emphasis on hope, patience and the belief in the child.

"We have them (the students) unlearn their negative behaviors and then teach them acceptable behaviors and values. These values are biblically based and teach responsibility. They also learn through discipline and consequences. "We don't use the word punishment- ever, which the definition means to inflict pain or shame, but rather 'teach' discipline, which means to prepare the mind. To disciple you accept role modeling and to accept the values of your parents and society. And responsibility means- to respond with ability." Dr. Blondel went on to share examples of these teachings and was adamant to explain that discipline does not have to be harsh or punitive. "Discipline is the only way to train children and it is easy to teach. Our staffs are the role models, the mentors and coaches. The adults are the teachers and are the ones to set the example.

At the Advent Home Learning Center, which is situated on 225 acres in rural Tennessee, Dr. Blondel explained that nature has a therapeutic affect on the students, the green grass, the open sky and the stars at night, a healthy diet and the open space all work together to create a positive attitude and appetite. We remove the outside distractions, have them lose the baggy pants and image and get the kids to slow down.

The boys who come to Advent Home usually do so unwillingly, often by escorts, or tricked into coming by their parents. They have been disrespectful to their families, teachers and authority figures, they have ignored rules set down by their parents and are unmanageable at school and at home. They are angry and mistrustful. But through patience, behavior modification and Christian teachings, more often than not, these young men turn their lives around and leave the school with a positive direction and goals.

To listen to the full interview go to The Christian Therapeutic Boarding School on LATalkRadio.
Also available in Podcast

Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens.

Dr. Blondel Senior, PhD is the founder of Advent Home Learning Center, a ministry for teen boys who are struggling with learning and behavioral issues. Dr. Blondel has over 40 years of experience in the field of teen help which includes: counselor, consultant, teacher, writer and speaker. He has appeared on several radio and TV talk shows, has written and published over 100 articles and chapters and has developed video courses on DVD's/CD's and an online Teacher/Parent training video course.