Nosy, over stepping, or SAVING A LIFE?

As professionals we are mandated to report, but family members, friends, neighbors, strangers… anyone concerned about the well-being of a child can make a report. One phone call to your local Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) or 911 could save a child’s life. If you have concerns or a child confides in you that they are or have been abused contact DFCS or call 911. It is not your responsibility to prove the abuse, that will be up to DFCS…so don’t hesitate if you don’t think you have enough evidence. What if you see a child being abused in a public place??? Summer is here and you always hear stories of children left alone in the car. If you see a child in alone in a car on a hot day, stay near the child and call 911. More commonly you will see children unattended in the mall, grocery store, etc., if you do, stay near the child until his or her parent returns. If the parent does not return within a reasonable amount of time or cannot be located, contact store security or local authorities. If you are a parent and feel overwhelmed and think you may hurt your child, find support. Turn to your family or friends, find a support group, a parenting class, or DFCS. Don’t be afraid to ask for your help. Protect your children.

April on April...

With Child Abuse Prevention month right around the corner, I thought what better way to kick it off than to give some simple, inexpensive ideas/activities for families to do each day for the month of April.  The truth is, the moments we have with our families, we should do things with them each and every day not just for one month, for each day is a gift and there are no guarantees for tomorrow.  Live each day to the fullest and enjoy every minute, for time passes quickly, and our babies grow up so fast!!!

Check out our website for a calendar of activities!

Taking Care...

Have you ever thought, “Here I am taking care of my home, my career, my family, but who is taking care of me?”  The answer is in fact the same person as all those other things, you.  It is just as important for you to take care of yourself so that you can be the absolute best parent you possibly can be.  The unfortunate truth is, that typically as mothers we put everything and everyone before ourselves that at the end of the day, there is just no time left to spare.  I challenge each of you as mothers, fathers, grandparents, etc. to find time each day, even if it’s just 10 minutes, to take care of the caregiver (that means you J).   If you need help coming up with some possible ways to do that, here are a few suggestions from the National Exchange Club Foundation website (http://www.preventchildabuse.com/documents/pt-selfcare.pdf):

Taking Care of Yourself

1.    Find time for yourself.

·         Nap when your baby is napping.

·         Take 10 minutes after your child falls asleep at night.

·         Teach your child your favorite hobby.

2.    Find time to laugh with your child.

·    Watch a funny movie together.

·         Tell silly jokes or stories.

3.    Talk with a friend on the phone.

4.    Read a chapter of your favorite book.

5.    Remember to exercise. Try it with your child!

6.    Squeeze in 10 minutes for a cup of tea.

7.    Allow yourself to go to bed 20 minutes early!

8.    Allow someone to watch your child when possible and get away!

If you’d like other suggestions of ways to take care of yourself or if you have any questions, feel free to call the Center at (706) 290-0764 or email me directly anytime april@exchangeclubfrc.org

Thoughts to Ponder as Parents:

We are never alone in this journey called “Parenthood”.  Not one single parent received an instruction manual with all of life’s answers when their child was born.  We are all in this together, learning from other parents, figuring out what works and what doesn’t.  Two of the most important things I’ve learned since becoming a parent are: 1) We have to be able to admit when our way of parenting just isn’t working; and 2) We have to keep an open mind and be willing to learning new and different ways of parenting.

Posted by April, Director of Family Services