5 Tips for Protecting Your Child | from All Forms of Abuse
Let’s Talk
“Too much love never spoils children. Children become spoiled when we substitute presents for presence”. -Anthony Witham
~Reality in Consciousness
*1 in 3 Women
& 1 in 6 Men are Affected*
Here we have laid out five straightforward ways to protect your child from all forms of abuse. Most of the tips will seem like “common-sense knowledge”, all the while, the numbers which reflect today do not lie. Due to stigma & trauma or both, people are not aware of these risks & how they can affect communities as a whole. For a lack of better knowledge, to ignore common sense information does not mean that abuse nor awareness will not fade away.
Please be sure to leave me a question or comment below.
Tips for Protecting Your Child from All forms of Abuse:
1) Talk with, NOT to, your Child:
An on-going dialogue, NOT just one single event about safety will shape critical thinking skills for your child. How to begin the conversation? CLICK HEREto read “A Parent’s Guide to Talking to Children About Safety.”
2) Start Early & Speak Often:
What is too early to speak with your child about abuse? Every child’s stage of development will be different. So, use everyday situations to discuss safety, & allow space for children to ask questions. Click Here for “The Underwear Rule”& Tips from the U.S Department of Justice.
3) Watch for Changes in Your Child’s Behavior:
If your child is reluctant about going to certain places or with certain people, ask questions. Notice their behavior after spending time alone outside of the home or with another individual before & after visits. Always be aware of the individuals that your child is developing a relationship with so that it is positive & inspiring.
4) Educate Yourself & Community:
Know the Statistics – 1 in 3 Women and 1 in 6 boys are affected by sexual abuse. Learn more information here @ https://www.rainn.org/statistics.
5) Remove Fearful Tactics w/Parenting: As a parent, bullying a child to talk will only constrict their learning & coping abilities.
Gentle reminders that the child can speak about anything, & parent(s) are present & explicitly here for the child. It is highly advisable to build a strong relationship with children, no excuses. Children Learn from what they Observe NOT by what they are Taught.
More Tips
· Teach your child about boundaries. Let your child know that no one has the right to touch them or make them feel uncomfortable — this includes hugs from grandparents or even tickling from mom or dad. It is important to let your child know that their body is their own. Just as importantly, remind your child that they do not have the right to touch someone else if that person does not want to be touched.
· Teach your child how to talk about their bodies. From an early age, teach your child the names of their body parts. Teaching a child these words gives them the ability to come to you when something is wrong. Learn more about talking to children about sexual assault.
· Be available. Set time aside to spend with your child where they have your undivided attention. Let your child know that they can come to you if they have questions or if someone is talking to them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. If they do come to you with questions or concerns, follow through on your word and make the time to talk.
· Let them know they won’t get in trouble. Many perpetrators use secret-keeping or threats as a way of keeping children quiet about abuse. Remind your child frequently that they will not get in trouble for talking to you, no matter what they need to say. When they do come to you, follow through on this promise and avoid punishing them for speaking up.
· Give them the chance to raise new topics. Sometimes asking direct questions like, “Did you have fun?” and “Was it a good time?” won’t give you the answers you need. Give your child a chance to bring up their own concerns or ideas by asking open-ended questions like “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?”
Relationships have the potential to provide both joy and sorrow. Unfortunately, there can be many sources of relationship pain. Perhaps the most tragic is the hurt and disappointment caused by intimate relationships with family members, or friends, someone known and trusted. Emotional or energetic harm or violation from a person you thought you could trust to love and respect creates deep resentment, anger, or rage that requires committed healing work. Too often we retreat from dysfunctional relationships or deny the true depths of the problem in an effort to smooth your wounds. Yet we must take responsibility now and begin to try to understand the lessons of our relationships. Relationship wounds must be healed or their repressed energies will solidify on the spiritual, emotional, and physical levels (Afua 2000).
Be Well & Heal in Peace…Peace!!!
~Written by: S.J
***Stay Tuned in to reality by Clicking the Links Below!
Sources:
Queen Afua, Sacred Woman Copyright 2010
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