Candace Sam, LICSW
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

6 Protective Factors of Families - National Child Abuse Prevention Month

4/16/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
Child abuse is still prevalent in our society today. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. As a social worker, especially one working with children, I feel it is my job to help with awareness to educate and continuously build families. Families are the base of a child's support system and most important when preventing child abuse. Sometimes abuse is unintentional and unseen by us, but obvious to our children who are very sensitive to our acts as parents.

Here are six protective factors we can all focus on to help build our families as identified by the child welfare office. Learning protective factors and making sure we make necessary changes in the home if these things aren't present is important to the prevention of child abuse. 

Nurturing and Attachment
            Show how much you love each other every day by smiling, hugging, listening and talking. Engage in regular activities with your children and become involved in their life. Kids notice your involvement in all aspects of their life.

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
            Learn new things about children and learn new things about parenting. Ask questions and subscribe to appropriate info sources. Share what you learn when you learn something new. It also wouldn’t hurt to take parenting classes. I’m the first to admit that I’ve never been a parent before and I need a lot of help! It’s ok to need help sometimes.

Parental Resilience
            Learn to bounce back from challenges. Learn appropriate coping skills for yourself. Take time for yourself to re-energize, share feelings, gain support systems and participate in activities such as exercising.

Social Connections
            Fine people who provide emotional support. Such connections can be neighborhood or church attendants, play groups, or other support groups. Keep yourself connected. Don’t feel like you have to parent by yourself. 

Concrete Supports for Parents
            Meet day to day needs or know where to find help if needed. As I just mentioned, know that you don’t have to parent alone. If you need help find appropriate help from a professional. Find professional support in your areas by calling 2-1-1.

Social and Emotional Competence of Children
            Children need to know they are loved and know they belong. Children also need to learn to get along with others. Regular routines, encouraging problem solving and teaching the importance of feelings and such ways for children to gain this competence.

For more information please visit Children's Bureau's website

1 Comment

    Categories

    All
    ADHD
    Adolescents
    Adults
    Anxiety
    Breakups
    Bullying
    Child Abuse Prevention
    Child Development
    Children
    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    Crisis Management
    Depression
    Disney
    Divorce
    Families
    Goals
    Gratitude
    Happiness
    Holiday Blues
    Internet Safety
    Mental Health
    Parenting
    Play Therapy
    Problem Behavior
    School
    Self Care
    Self Confidence
    Self Esteem
    Self-esteem
    Self Harm
    Self Talk
    Self-talk
    Stress Management
    Technology

    Archives

    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.