[sassafras]

OK I know my friend means well but really. That "place" a PRTF is not doing her the harm. She is! She is the one that cut herself, she is the one that pierced her NOSE with a safety pin. The "place" did not do it for her.Grrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lorraine123]

While they did not actually do it, are they making it possible for her to have the ability to do it? What are they doing to prevent it?

[sassafras]

Well when she "cut" herself, which was really superficial scratches they took her roommate out of her room and moved her. The roommate is a true cutter. She just pretty much scratched herself up (for attention). The took all sharp objects or anything she could use for it out of her room and she was put on safety watch. She then decided to break the light bulb in her room and use that.

The piercing her nose was her and the new roommate.They got a safety pin from somewhere and did that. She told her therapist she needed to "get out of there" because her roommates are influencing her. She told her if she was influenced that easy there was no way it was safe for her to come home. She now has to have a tetatnus shot.

I am sorry. I think she is responsible for her own actions.

[lucyjoy]

She is responsible for her choices but the rtf needs to be more vigilant in making sure she cannot get sharp items. My son managed to steal 2 diabetic lancets from the trash in his rtf and the place was on lock down for HOURS while they looked for them.

Kids do learn poor behaviors inside these places but they are there because they are unsafe to be at home. Unfortunately, that means they are exposed to other unsafe kids.

[aMarylandfamily]

... is letting it process and not accepting responsibility for her actions. If she were home it would be an unnacceptable behavior of some nature which would thus reiterate the need for professional help. While getting that there may be influences that affect actions but they are hers - do not accept responsibility for them/her - the world is a mean place where she has to learn to handle all! No parent is the cause for the need for this level of care nor are they responsible for everything in a child's life! Ignore what others comment and know that you are doing what must be done - even when it causes "what if's" and "I wish's" and more in your thoughts. And who knows - she may have done things at home such as cutting or piercing but this way you have witnesses and help (even when it doesn't feel like it) - imagine handling this at home by yourself!

Stay strong!