Here's another parenting thought from Community Concepts and WOXO:

Did you know that the month of April is child abuse prevention month? Did you ever think, what can I do to prevent child abuse? Here's a couple easy things YOU can do to make a difference:

  1. If you don't have children at home, help someone who does! How about offering to take your grandkids or the neighbor's kids for a Saturday afternoon, and give mom and dad some much needed relief?
  2. Be an advocate for community programs that enrich children's lives, like before and after school programs, library programs, community recreation programs and teen centers. These programs provide children and parents with safe places for children to go.
  3. For the month of April, hug your kids every day.
  4. Laugh with your children. Did you know that laughter takes a lot of stress away? Instead of rushing to make supper, sit down for a moment with your child, and enjoy the moment and your children.
  5. If your children are "driving you crazy" take a break! Call a trusted family member or friend to baby-sit, and take a walk, take a shower, go grocery shopping, listen to music. Parents need time to themselves. It is amazing how rejuvenating a ½ hour walk can be when you are all by yourself. If you don't have money to pay a babysitter, offer to trade chores.
  6. Attend a parenting class. The University of Maine Oxford County Cooperative Extension Office (1-800-287-1482) and Community Concepts (743-7716 and 364-3721) provide parenting classes. Give them a call to find out when the next course is scheduled. You' ll meet other parents, laugh, and learn a tip or two that can help you increase your parenting skills.
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