When a teen is in crisis, parents want to bring them safely to the other side. But before diving in headfirst, be aware that dealing with a struggling teen can be hard on your marriage. Really hard!

Your teen is already in trouble. And a marriage failure in the midst of the turmoil would lead to even more dire consequences. So how can you dodge these destructive forces?

Above all, know that teens in crisis are experts at pitting one parent against the other. They work to create a wedge between mom and dad in order to deflect attention away from their own bad behavior.

Do you and your spouse feel more like opponents than teammates? Remember, stress is the real rival.

Maintaining a united and healthy “us” is key to saving a teen who’s spinning out of control.

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