| 1 |
Be
a nurturing parent. Children need to know that they
are special, loved and capable of following their dreams.
Learn about how children grow and mature and have realistic
expectations of what your child can and can not do. |
| 2 |
Help
a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent isn't
easy. Someone you know may be struggling with his or
her parenting responsibilities. Offer a helping hand--take
care of the children, so the parent(s) can rest or spend
time together. |
| 3 |
Help
yourself. When the big and little problems of your
everyday life pile up to the point where you feel overwhelmed
and out of control--take time out. Don't take it out
on your kid. Take a deep breath. Turn on some music.
Know who to call for help and keep the numbers next
to your phone. |
| 4 |
If
your baby cries...It can be frustrating to hear
your baby cry, especially when nothing you do works.
Learn what to do if your baby won't stop crying. Never
shake a baby--shaking a child may result in severe injury
or death. |
| 5 |
Get
involved. Advocate for services to help families.
Help to establish parenting groups in your community.
Ask your community leaders, clergy, library and schools
to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children
and families. |
| 6 |
Help
to develop parenting resources at
your local library--films, books, information.
|
| 7 |
Promote
programs in schools. Teaching children, parents,
and teachers prevention strategies can help to keep
children safe. |
| 8 |
Monitor
you child's television and video viewing. Watching
violent films and TV programs harms young children.
It scares them, and teaches children that aggression
is a good way to handle frustration and solve problems.
|
| 9 |
Volunteer
at a local child abuse program. Volunteers are important
leaders in the field of child abuse prevention. Although
some volunteer roles require professional training,
most do not. |
| 10 |
Report
suspected abuse or neglect. Keeping children safe
is the responsibility of every adult in the community.
If you have reason to believe a child has been--or
may be--harmed, call your local department of children
and family services, usually listed in the telephone
directory under "Welfare" or "Health
and Human Services Department," or call your
local police department.
In
Massachusetts, report suspected abuse to:
Massachusetts
Statewide Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Line at DSS
1-800-KIDS-508
For reporting suspected child abuse or neglect
in Massachusetts during business hours.
Judge
Baker Children's Center (after hours) Child-At-Risk
Hotline at
1-800-792-5200.
For reporting suspected child abuse or neglect
in Massachusetts outside of business hours.
|
