As child abuse prevention month carries on, I find myself thinking of my role as a mother and how I can best protect my daughter from abuse. While I certainly don't have all the answers, I do truly believe that communication is a key component and maybe even the "keystone" in my defense against abuse.
We have never spoken to our daughter as though she were a baby. We didn't make it a habit of speaking baby talk to her and we have always tried to have conversations with her. Besides having good communication with her, I have always made a point of talking with her about her day. It takes me only a few moments and it occurs while she and I are in the car heading home from work and school. "How was school", "what did you learn", "who did you play with", "what was your favorite part of today", "what did you have for lunch"...little questions like this. Sometimes I get a lot out of her and sometimes I do not. I always make a point to ask the questions and also to observe her mood. I don't believe that anyone knows their child better than a mother. There is a connection there and if you just listen to your heart and your head, I truly believe you will know when you need to delve a little deeper, push a little harder and spend that extra time with your child. Fast becoming my motto is the statement "You Know". I do believe as a parent, especially as a mother, that You Know. It's your job to know; know everything about your child, start when they are young so as they get older you have already built that communication bridge. Communicate and KNOW your child. You cannot prevent the abuse of a child that is out of your reach...
We have never spoken to our daughter as though she were a baby. We didn't make it a habit of speaking baby talk to her and we have always tried to have conversations with her. Besides having good communication with her, I have always made a point of talking with her about her day. It takes me only a few moments and it occurs while she and I are in the car heading home from work and school. "How was school", "what did you learn", "who did you play with", "what was your favorite part of today", "what did you have for lunch"...little questions like this. Sometimes I get a lot out of her and sometimes I do not. I always make a point to ask the questions and also to observe her mood. I don't believe that anyone knows their child better than a mother. There is a connection there and if you just listen to your heart and your head, I truly believe you will know when you need to delve a little deeper, push a little harder and spend that extra time with your child. Fast becoming my motto is the statement "You Know". I do believe as a parent, especially as a mother, that You Know. It's your job to know; know everything about your child, start when they are young so as they get older you have already built that communication bridge. Communicate and KNOW your child. You cannot prevent the abuse of a child that is out of your reach...
