H.E. Holliday, Author at Juvenile Justice Information ExchangeJuvenile Justice Information Exchange

H.E. Holliday

H. E. “Doc” Holliday currently works as an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. He has served as a building principal for over four decades in both Georgia and Ohio. The former assistant superintendent for school improvement in the Cobb County (Ga.) Schools as well as the chief of staff in the Atlanta Public School system, is a frequent presenter at international, regional, and statewide conferences. He is the author of, Gender Education in 7 Steps: Reigniting the Academic Pilot Lights of Boys and Girls; Boys Transitioning From Athletic Aggression to Academic Affirmation; and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reconnecting-Redirecting-Redifining-Century-Males/dp/1610484762/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319657853&sr=8-1-fkmr0">Reconnecting, Redirecting & Redefining 21st Century Males.</a>

A Parent Alone in Afghanistan Worries about a Daughter Home Alone

By H.E. Holliday | January 23, 2012

I am currently working in Afghanistan as a contractor after many years of military service. Being a single parent and sole provider has made it difficult to be home for my three daughters. I'm down to my youngest and she's spiraling out of control. … Is there anything … that could help with unruly children? -- A recent question from a JJIE reader.

What to do With a Wayward 15-year-old Boy

By H.E. Holliday | December 19, 2011

I have a 15-year-old son who, in the past year, has gone from a quiet, well- mannered, well- liked child to a stranger to me. He hasn’t attended school in about two months. He comes and goes as he pleases, he will not respect the curfews I set for him and sometimes is gone for days on end. He has started smoking and he has admitted to smoking weed. He doesn’t listen to anyone and if we try and talk to him he just leaves.

Grandson Comes Home From Prison, What do You do Now?

By H.E. Holliday | November 2, 2011

Our failure to plan ahead when helping loved ones adjust to life outside of “the Prison Industrial Complex” is comparable to re-teaching a youngster how to walk again after a serious injury. You take it one step at a time.

Here is a letter recently received by the JJIE:

I have a grandson in prison in North Carolina. After he is released, he is coming [to Georgia]. I am trying to get things together for him before he comes. Can you offer me any advice? -- Lynn

This is a common occurrence for far too many grandparents. One of the first things I would advise is gather as much personal information about this young man that his parents, family or former neighbors can offer. It is important to attempt to develop a healthy adult relationship with him.

It is equally important that your expectations are discussed in detail so that misunderstandings can be avoided. I would be careful not to dwell on the past but instead highlight the realistic things this young man can accomplish in the future.

When dealing with young adults it is essential that boundaries be set that are reasonable and productive. Life is full of rules whether we like it or not. I would encourage you to explain to your grandson that this is an opportunity to restart your life and to explain how better opportunities can be available when you constantly put your personal view of the future in proper perspective.

I would emphasize over and over that this can be a new lease on life for your grandson. One that requires being very intentional and committed about what he wants and expects out of life.

This is a time when the emphasis on careful planning must always be highlighted. I would strongly urge you to find out what specific work skills your grandson has. I would take him on a visit to a technical school or career academy that has personnel to assess the level of interest he has in a given profession. These are probably ideas that no one has truly taken the time to explain to your grandson.

I would then encourage you to sit down with him and discuss the options and then insist he commit to one of the professions after careful consideration. I would help him list the pros and cons of his decision making.

Many grandparents will discover that these young men typically have not given much thought to developing long-range personal goals. This is an opportunity to discuss the importance of having significant life goals. It is also an appropriate time to discuss the importance of working hard and smart to achieve personal goals.

This is a key time when grandparents must deliberately guide their grandchildren into healthy relationships that potentially will have a positive impact in their lives. I would try to provide several healthy group options for interactions for your grandson. I would not hesitate to take advantage of some of your personal contacts whether it is in the church, valued friends or other community based organizations.

It is possible that there are already support groups in place that address many of the issues that you and your grandson will be confronted with.

I would challenge your grandson to come up with his own personal plan, with your input, of course, so that he has ownership. I would then encourage you to monitor the success of this personal plan on a weekly then on a monthly basis.

There is much research out there on what it takes to turn around troubled youth. My advice would be to access some of this information as quickly as possible and implement your plan.