What can I do to be a better parent?
-- Recognize that you are the most important person in your child's life.
-- What you say to your children and how you treat them determines how they act and feel about themselves.
-- Laugh with your child every day.
-- Take time for yourself.
-- If you think you need help, you're not alone. Take the first step. Reach out for help.
-- Help and support other parents. If you know a parent who is under stress, offer him or her a break. Take care of their children for a while so the parent can calm down.
-- Establish or volunteer at a parent support group.
-- Know the resources in your community.
-- Domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, isolation and other issues all impact children and their families. Know where to go for help and connect other to these services.
-- Encourage your local school, community center or religious organization to start programs for youth or families when you see an unmet need.
-- Learn more about preventing child abuse and about the agencies in your community that support children and families.
-- Be an advocate for children and youth.
-- Sponsor a child abuse prevention campaign.
-- Talk to local leaders, visit your legislator, write letter to the editor, talk with business owners regarding issues that impact children. For example, expanding healthy families programs, starting after school programs or increasing funding for early childhood programs, just to name a few.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected in Nevada, call (800) 992-5757. For more information about Prevent Child Abuse Nevada, call (877) 318-2432.
