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April is Child abuse prevention month. The Texas Department of family and Protective Services (DFPS) offers the following tips for helping to prevent child abuse: Nurture your child
• Make sure your child knows you love them even if they did something wrong.
• Ask for your child’s opinion and ideas. What makes a good friend? Where is a place you would want to travel someday?
Help families under stress
• Offer to babysit.
• Help a family member or friend with chores, errands, or lend a listening ear.
Know where to get help
• Don’t feel like you have to “do it all.” Let your friends, family, or neighbors help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We all need help sometimes.
• Visit GetParentingTips.org for resources and information. Share the information with a friend who might need help.
Protect your child
• Listen to your child if they say they don’t feel comfortable around someone.
• Tell your child to say “no” and “get away,” and to tell you right away if anyone tries to touch or hurt them.
• Abusers often tell their victims to keep what they do a “secret.” Teach your child the difference between a good secret, like a surprise party, and a bad secret, like something that makes them feel bad or uncomfortable. Make sure you child understands that it’s OK to tell you “bad secrets.”
