Jo Frost, the Supernanny, has some simple tips and suggestions to help prevent abuse:
- Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know they are special, loved and capable of following their dreams.
- Listen to your child and create a mutual understanding of trust, respect and awareness.
- Learn the signs of child abuse and neglect; if you don’t know them, you can read them on the American SPCC.org website.
- Establish family and personal boundaries. – Teach your children that their “no” will be respected, whether it’s in playing, tickling, hugging or kissing. Make it clear that you’ll support your children when they request privacy or say “no” to an activity or a kind of touch that makes them uncomfortable. No one should inappropriately touch your children and your children should feel comfortable sharing any occurrence of touch with a trusted adult.
- Explain the difference between secret and a surprise.
- Practice talking before there’s a problem. Say the “difficult” or “embarrassing” words out loud so that you become comfortable using those words, asking those questions, confronting those behaviors.
- Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent isn’t easy. Offer a helping hand to take care of the children, so the parents can rest or spend time together.
- Help yourself. When the big and little problems of your everyday life pile up to the point you feel overwhelmed and out of control…take time out. Don’t take it out on your kid.
- It can be frustrating to hear your baby cry. 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.
- Ask your community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to meet the needs of children and families.
- Monitor your child’s television, Internet and video viewing. Watching violent films and TV programs which displays verbal, mental and physical abuse can harm young children and they can repeat the actions of what they have seen.
- Report suspected abuse or neglect. If you have reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, call your local department of children and family services or your local police department or call 1-800-4-A- Child. You might be saving the life of a child.