April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The theme this year is “Thriving Children and Families: Prevention with Purpose.” The Children’s Bureau decided to go with this theme because they understand that the single most important thing we can do is support families all year long in ways that promote and build upon their strengths and enable them to care for their children safely before maltreatment is even a possibility.
To prevent child abuse, a societal change needs to be made. We need to be open about parenting struggles. Let’s be honest; parenting is hard. It is not for the faint of heart, and it can take a lot out of a person. When we look at society, we see perfect moms and dads slaying their roles. Their kids are perfectly dressed and clean; they walk around like perfect little angels that never do anything wrong. As another parent, we see this and wonder why we are not as perfect. The truth is, there are no perfect parents. Even the ones you see that look like they have it all together; are flawed, as well.
When your baby is screaming, and you cannot seem to make them happy, your four-year-old thinks he is superman and wants to fly off of everything, your innocent-looking little girl has the attitude of a teenager, or maybe you are dealing with teenagers, and they are pushing every button you have got; it is easy in these moments to get stressed out and let anger take over. These are the times that you need help. You need to be able to walk away, call someone to help you, tell the other parent they need to take over, and you go for a short drive.
We want to take steps to prevent getting to the point that we may harm someone. That harm can come in many different forms. There is berating children, corporal punishment, emotionally punishing a child, and there have even been cases of sexual abuse as a punishment. We want to work as a community to stop these before they happen.
Arkansas was ranked number one in 2018 as having the highest rate of childhood trauma. In Arkansas, about 60 percent of children have experienced at least one form of child abuse. The national average is 45 percent. Arkansas is such a rural state that many people do not have resources when they get stressed out.
We want to encourage you to set up a community to support you during those stressful times. Look to trusted friends or family members that you can leave your child with or give you directions on how to help you through what is causing an issue. Join a mom group, like M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Pre Schoolers), Mother’s Day Out, or possibly enrolling your child in a preschool program like Arkansas Better Chance or ABC preschools. Talk to your clergy or someone in your church. You need an outlet to talk about what you are going through as a parent, and sometimes you may need advice on how to get through to the next day.
Part of making the societal changes that are needed is for everyone to accept that not all parents have it together all the time, and that, is all right. There is nothing wrong with locking yourself in a bathroom to eat the last cookie and cry because you feel overwhelmed. It is okay to say, “I need help.” Let’s stop the abuse before it happens.
Child abuse is an awful thing that no child should ever have to endure. Together, though, we can put an end to child abuse and maltreatment and better lives for future generations. If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call The Safe Place at 501-354-1884 or our Crisis Line at 1-888-554-2501. You can also call our Perryville location at 501-889-2030. If you suspect child abuse, please contact the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-482-5964.
To read ‘April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, Part 2’ click HERE.
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