Balancing life’s stressors is not always easy for a mother or father, especially when there is a lack of basic resources to keep their family healthy, strong and safe. In times of uncertainty, overwhelming stress triggers some parents to unfairly and harshly react toward their very special and fragile children.
Parenting is not easy, and it does not have to be done alone. During the month of April (and throughout the year), Crisis Nursery and millions of other child advocates rally together to increase awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention services. This is our moment to recognize that we all play a critical role in promoting and developing the social and emotional well-being of vulnerable children and their families.
Abuse is not an easy topic to discuss, but we must yell loudly: NOT ANOTHER CHILD! In Missouri alone, approximately 249 children per day suffer physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect at the hands of a parent, guardian or caregiver.
Children are our future. We must protect their safety and well-being by offering child abuse and neglect prevention services that address the social, financial, emotional and health concerns of at-risk parents who, without access to a crisis nursery, will make an unconscionable mistake, changing their lives forever.
Following are few simple ways each of us can help prevent child abuse and neglect in our own families, courtesy of Prevent Child Abuse America:
Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know that they are special and loved. Educate yourself about a child’s development process so you can have reasonable expectations about what your child can and cannot do.
Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Someone you know may be struggling with his or her parenting responsibilities. Offer a helping hand.
If your baby cries. It can be frustrating to hear your baby cry, especially when nothing you do seems to work. Learn what to do if your baby won’t stop crying. But, NEVER shake a baby!
Report suspected abuse or neglect. Keeping children safe is the responsibility of every adult in our community. If you have any reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, call the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery.
Each year Crisis Nursery cares for more than 7,000 children, birth through age 12, in five nurseries and seven outreach centers throughout St. Louis city and county, St. Charles counties, Illinois and the surrounding region.
If you know a parent in crisis who needs immediate care for their children, encourage them to contact Crisis Nursery’s 24-hour helplines at: (314) 768-3201 or (636) 947-0600.
DiAnne Mueller is CEO of Crisis Nursery.
