Children are our heritage, our future, the love of our lives and the descendents of our family. Taking care of our children needs to be the responsibility of all members of the family, grandparents, aunts and uncles etc. whenever possible. If you have children anywhere in your life, please take a few moments to view a few tips on protecting them, as well as some links to relevant web sites.


~PARENTS~

Never think that your child will not be abducted, abused or exploited.

Teach your child the facts of abduction early.

PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN

Keep current identification of your children in a safe and accessible place [fingerprints, photo, video, physical description]. Have your children fingerprinted. Contact your local police department's Crime Prevention Unit. Identification kits are available from many locations.
Don't leave your child alone or unattended at home or in public places, in a car, in any type of store or shopping mall.
Know your child's friends, their names, where they live, their parents address and phone numbers.
Know the routes your child takes to and from school, friends' homes and other activities. Be involved in your child's activities, attend sporting events.
Always accompany young children to the bathroom in a public place and advise them never to play in or around the area.
Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities, i.e. Halloween, school fundraising campaigns, etc.
Show your children safe houses or homes where they can go if they are in trouble.
Teach your child that it is best to travel in groups, stay away from isolated places.
Be sure your child avoids walking alone through empty fields, parks and school yards.
Avoid dressing your child in clothes imprinted with his/her name, children are less suspicious of people who know their names.
Define a stranger. A person seen every day is still a stranger.
Teach your child his/her full name, your full name, address and telephone number.
Teach your child how to use the telephone, include area codes, collect calls, pay phones, emergency 911, etc. Post emergency numbers near your phone.
Know whom your child is with, where they will be, and when they are to return.
Surf the net WITH your children, warn teens that the person they are communicating with may not be who they say they are.
Teach your child at a very young age that they should always tell you if someone does anything inappropriate to them, be it a family member or friend. Sometimes it can happen and they are afraid to tell you because of who it is.
Listen to what your children are trying to tell you, let them know you take their concerns seriously and don't minimize their fears.
Note: The list above is geared mostly to young children and is not
intended to be complete. For more detailed information, please visit
one of the linked sites below. Some of these sites contain information
that children of all ages and parents need to know, as well as
pictures of missing children and much more.

Get involved in what's happening
at your childs school. Join the PTA!



Millions of Grandparents in the US are raising grandchildren.
If you would like information, help, and more, click on the link below.

Grandparents Raising Children

"September 12th is Grandparents Day"

The Wooden Bowl
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up". The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future. Let's be wise builders and role models.
~Author Unknown~


When you look at your children do you see double, triple or quadruple? Then you probably have twins, triplets or quads! And you could probably use some helpful advise from other parents of "multiple birth children".
If so, click on the link below.

New York State Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs


Lessons for our children
from Paul Harvey