APRIL Is
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION
Month! 		Prevent Child Abuse Help Prevent Child Abuse
ALL YEAR!
TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, CALL THE HOTLINE:
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
The Alameda County Child Abuse Prevention Council asks you to
"Wear a Blue Ribbon" during the month of April to show your support in honoring all children and in promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
If you would like to learn more about our services, join our council or become a volunteer,
please call (510) 780-8989.
Please. Together we can make this world a safer place for our children!
YOU, and YOU, and YOU! CAN HELP PREVENT CHILD ABUSE
QUIET WAYS to good behavior       A MONTH OF PREVENTION: 31 ways to relate to your children
WHAT TO DO if you see abusive behavior in public
KEEP YOUR COOL with your kids       HELP your child BUILD SELF ESTEEM
The Blue Ribbon Tradition


QUIET WAYS:
 LESS STRESS FOR YOU . . . COOPERATION FROM THE KIDS!

  1. SET CLEAR RULES. Make sure your child knows what you expect, what tasks must be done and how often. USE A GENTLE REMINDER, not a lecture, if it doesn't happen.
  2. WHAT GETS REWARDED GETS REPEATED. Ignore tantrums and whining. Use praise,"thank-yous", hugs
    and privileges to reward correct behavior. NEVER give in to begging after a "no."
  3. ENFORCE RULES WITH CONSEQUENCES. Remove a favorite toy or privilege for a specified time if they abuse it. Give a child "time out" for noisy or rebellious acts.
  4. KEEP YOUR PROMISES. Don't let a child down if you've promised a treat. Don't back down on a punishment.
  5. BE BRIEF. The more you talk, the less they hear.
  6. BE UNDERSTANDING. A sick, tired, hungry, or confused child may not be able to control their behavior well.
    Be perceptive and be sure a child's needs are met.
  7. MAKE EYE CONTACT and REALLY LISTEN. Get down to eye level and speak quietly; don't shout across the room.
  8. ALWAYS BE AWARE OF FEELINGS. It hurts when someone you love yells at you. Criticize the behavior, not the child.
  9. GIVE YOURSELF A TIME OUT if you feel very stressed or find yourself yelling or otherwise out of control. Re-engage when you are calmer.
SOURCE: "Kid Cooperation: How to Stop Yelling, Nagging, and Pleading" by Elizabeth Pantley

A WHOLE MONTH OF PREVENTION
 Take the Time!
(These are great ways to relate to your children
ANY time!)		 1
Tell your children "I love you!" every day.		 2
Write a poem with your children.		 3
Watch TV together and talk about the characters.
4
Pat yourself on the back.		 5
Play a sport together.		 6
Sing songs that everybody knows.		 7
Make a bead necklace.		 8
Discuss your family history.		 9
Talk about rules and why they're needed.		 10
Listen to your kids talk about their day.
11
Go for a walk with your children.		 12
Read a book or story together.		 13
Explore with a flashlight.		 14
Laugh with your children.		 15
Hug your children!		 16
Visit someone who's lonely.		 17
Find your city
on a map.
18
Clean a room together.		 19
Call a relative and everybody talk.		 20
Play
"What If?"		 21
Make dinner together.		 22
Praise your children for good work.		 23
Respect your child's opinions.		 24
Plant flowers indoors
or outside.
25
Play a board game together.		 26
Send a postcard to a friend.		 27
Take pictures of your family.		 28
Mark family birthdays on the calendar.		 29
Bake treats and enjoy them together.		 30
Ask "How are you today?" Listen to the answer!		 Say
"I love you!"
every day.
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Wear a Blue Ribbon
WHAT TO DO
If you see abusive behavior
in public:
 1. Remember that most parents love their kids and want to do a good job parenting.
2. Sympathize with a parent: "Looks like you are having
a rough time."
3. Don't criticize. It can make
things worse.
4. Offer to help in small ways: Carry groceries, watch the cart, help with other children.
5. Talk to the child, if you can:
"It looks like you're tired!"
6. Find something positive to say about the child.
7. Remember that humor can
help de-fuse a tense situation: "Kids can sure be a handful!"
8. Take action if necessary
for the physical safety of the child. Alert a store manager, or
CALL 911!
Source: Alameda County Child Abuse Prevention Council
Wear a Blue Ribbon
CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE:
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
 Wear a Blue Ribbon
KEEP YOUR COOL
 With Your Kids!
Know your limits. Accept what you can't change... for now.
Ease your tension. Take a walk, listen to music, splash water on your face. Get a break.
Encourage your children's positive qualities. Praise their constructive behaviors.
Phone a friend. It helps to share your concerns and talk things out.
Your example helps your children learn to handle anger.
Opt for the counting cure if needed: count to 10. Or 20. Or 100.
Use your kitchen timer for "time out" before disciplining.
Remember that everyone slips up at times. Including your children.
Count your blessings. These include the children you love.
Organize the time away from your children so you enjoy your times together.
Out of ideas to handle anger? Consider parenting classes.
Learn which "cool down" methods work best for you - and use them. 		Wear a Blue Ribbon
Help Your Child Build
 SELF ESTEEM
Support your child's goals and ideas, even if they differ from yours.
Encourage your child to make
his or her own choices.
Let your child be responsible for whatever he or she is ready to contribute to the family.
Focus on your child's strengths
and assets, and praise positive behavior.
Educate your child that effort counts, just as much as final products.
Set reasonable limits and follow through on them, so your child knows that he or she is considered capable of handling limits.
Try asking for your child's opinions and decisions.
Expect positive results from everything your child does, and accept failure as well as success.
Express your feelings, and encourage your child to do the same without fear of judgment.
Make it clear that you love your child as he or she is, no matter what.
The BLUE RIBBON TRADITION began when a grandmother lost her beloved grandchild at the hands of her daughter's boyfriend. She wanted to bring attention to the death of her grandchild, symbolized by the wearing of a simple blue ribbon.
Wear a Blue Ribbon
Remember to TAKE TIME OUT FOR YOURSELF, KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR, and
GET HELP WHEN YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED.
If you or someone you love needs help, call the
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COUNCIL (see HOTLINE number above or visit The Child Abuse Prevention Center, http://www.thecapcenter.org/).
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