Tag: parenting

Parenting, Tips and Tricks

Sadly, Sex Trafficking is an American Epidemic – How to Talk to Your Teens

Erin Sluka
Photo by Laura Wielo on Unsplash

I hate to even say those 2 words – Sex Trafficking or Child Abuse. 2 of the worst topics we have to discuss as a family, but how do we have that conversation? What age should we start making our children aware of this horrible epidemic?

I have found these 5 tips for parents about opening the dialogue with young children and pre-teens about child abuse and sex traffic recruitment prevention. We must talk about it because communication is the most powerful safety tool we have as parents!

The tips are excerpted from Selah Freedom’s Prevention Program that equips parents, youth and those who work with them, with the tools they need to avoid being manipulated by a trafficker and successfully prevents girls from being commercially sold.

Tip #1: Conversation Starters

For younger children, talk about safe vs. unsafe touch. Encourage your child to use their voice. Have your child identify their trust triangle (3 safe adults they can talk to). Explain the difference between secrets vs. surprises

Talk about safe screens. Create a safety plan on what they can do if they don’t feel safe. If you suspect child abuse or trafficking, notify authorities immediately and keep our child safe by letting police handle it

Ask your pre-teen, “what qualities do you want in a relationship?” “How would you know you are unsafe online or in a relationship?” “How would you respond to an unsafe conversation or person that made you feel uncomfortable?”

Tip #2: Communication

Ask your child what they know about this topic and discuss the facts and myths. Identify safety measures that your family can put in place and role-play different scenarios. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of humor and assure your child that it is ok to have this conversation.

Listen to your child speak without interrupting, judging or criticizing.

Tip #3: Education

Check out “SelahFreedom.com/Prevention” with your child for Safety Tips; Videos/Documentaries/Helpful Links. Give youth access to resources and safe contacts. Stay in the loop and check out new apps as youth are using them. Remember to use parental controls on your children’s cell phones to prevent internet solicitation & pornography.

Tip #4: Spotting The Signs

Sexual knowledge and experience beyond their years. Hyper-awareness of genital area, touching, discussing, etc. with themselves or other children/teens. History of emotional, physical and sexual abuse in families
Fear/hesitance of adult (s) or being alone with a particular person

Tip #5: Keep Up the Dialogue

It’s not “one and done” …. keep the conversation going with your kids each year as they are growing up and maturing.

For more resources that will help parents teach their children and teens about the signs of child abuse and sex trafficking recruitment and prevention, visit:

SEX, LIES & MEDIA: Through our cutting-edge, multi-media Sex, Lies & Media presentation, we will educate parents and students on the online recruitment tactics of predators and equip them with practical ways to discuss this issue, protect themselves online, and be a part of the solution. This presentation can take 1-2 hours and may be presented specifically to teens or to parents/adults working with teens.

College Bound, Healthy Living, Parenting

Finally, The College Student First Aid Kit with Mom-Approved Items

Erin Sluka

With one son back home after 4 years at College and continuing online, we have an 11 year old on his heels. I learned a lot as a College parent. I bought many things that turned out unnecessary and then there were the things I never thought of that became an instant need.

We spend about 18 years cooking for them, caring for them, cleaning scrapes, spooning medicine and now who will have eyes on them? Who will make sure they can take care of themselves? No one will! This is it and all you can do is send them off with the right tools and let them be little adults now. I bought a shallow tote on our son’s first year. It was low enough to slip under his dorm bed. In it were band-aids, medicine, Kleenex and all he’d need with a label that read -‘when you get sick’. It was the best I could leave him with.

Had I known about The College Student First Aid Kit that would have been so much better! Even a shallow tote took up too much room in that small space. The College Student First Aid Kit has everything but the kitchen sink (and the good brands too) in a small box. It was created by Beth Palmer Stewart, a Nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents and young adults.

She also became a college Mom who quickly realized the struggle of finding first aid kits to leave with her student that wasn’t full of generic brands and wasn’t missing crucial items. She went to great lengths to research the best possible kits bundled into convenient sizes for dorm spaces and every student needs one as they head off to their new life.

I remember our son saying things like “..there is a student store if I need anything” or “…a Walmart is right down the street”. What they don’t realize is that when sickness hits you, that is one long drive to the store when you don’t feel like leaving your bed. Also, the student store was so far across campus and they lived at the bottom of campus hill and in the snow that town got, winter ailments were horrible if you needed to walk or find a parking space near that store. They need to have these essentials in the room and ready to go.

There are 3 sizes of kits to choose from. The most thorough is the Premium Plus Kit. With over 50 different medications, ointments, creams, drops, tools, and wound care items they will be taken care of just fine, Mom and Dad! Don’t worry. Before you know it 4 years have passed and you’ll be a pro at this. Visit College First Aid Kit to keep them prepared.

Parenting

Things That Should Never Be Done With A Newborn Baby

Erin Sluka

There are so many challenges that appear when you become a parent. This is a time when you are really happy, when all you want to do is celebrate the birth of a new baby and do things right. Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done.

There are countless mistakes parents make when raising a newborn baby. However, the following are not always known and should be.

Allowing Anyone To Kiss The Baby

As a parent, it is highly fulfilling to see people that are doting around the newborn. Babies are lovable and cute so people should really enjoy them, right? Wrong.

People can appear to be completely healthy but it is possible they carry around some diseases, like Herpes Simplex Virus. This is completely invisible and there are now outward signs. The baby can end up infected, which is definitely not what you want to see happen.

Having The Baby Sleep On The Tummy

It is important to be careful with the sleeping habits of the baby. Most mothers these days know that babies should not sleep on their tummies because it can be fatal. Those that sleep on the stomach are at a high risk of ending up dead because of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). That is because they end up rebreathing carbon dioxide, which cuts off oxygen supply.

Overdressing The Baby

Many parents think it is the right choice to put more clothes on the baby. This is especially the case when the weather is cold. It is important to keep the child warm and safe but over-bundling is a very bad idea. The baby should be dressed just like you dress yourself.

The problem with overdressing is that the body of the baby ends up overheating. He/she ends up with higher temperatures than what would be uncomfortable. It is even possible it can lead to SIDS since there is lower space available for movement. This is fatal or just harmful for the baby.

Forget A Doctor’s Appointment

You should never miss a doctor’s appointment, even if it seems as being a really simple thing. The problem when you miss the appointment is that you can miss out on baby development stages or physical exam monitoring. Also, after a pediatrician appointment is missed, you can easily end up missing another one. In order for a follow up to happen, the initial checkup has to be done. This is especially the case when referring to immunizations.

Use Crib Bumpers

There are crib bedding sets and cribs that have bumpers. These are cushiony, firm linings that are there to keep the child safe. At first glance, this is a great safety precaution but bumpers can easily hurt the child. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies can actually end up trapped in the bumpers. Even fresh air flow can be cut off for the baby crib.

Ignoring The Child When Crying

If you allow the baby to keep crying there is a risk that brain development problems will appear. If the child keeps crying without attention or pause, stress levels are heightened. Stress rise leads to various different problems. Also, as the baby grows, he/she gets used to neglect and less attention, which is definitely not what you want the baby to feel.

Kids, Parenting

July 4th Tips for Sensory Issues

Erin Sluka

The Early Learning Center at Meeting Street in Providence is prepared for the 4th of July with these tips for sensory issues from Emily Lennon, Registered Occupational Therapist.

If your child is sensitive to noise:
Stay further away from the fireworks display so that you can see them with less noise from the booms and the crowd. Wear noise-cancelling headphones or ear plugs, if your child tolerates them.Let them listen to their own music with earbuds while watching the fireworks.
If your child is sensitive to visual input:
Wear sunglasses to watch the fireworks.Stay further away from the crowd so there is less visual stimulation.
If your child is sensitive to touch:
Bring a chair or blanket (such as a weighted blanket) to sit on so they are not touching the sand or grass.Sit away from the crowd so they are not bumped unexpectedly by people in the crowd.
To calm your child:
Engage another sense
Your goal may be for the child to attend and tolerate the event rather than pay attention to the ceremony and use of a fidget spinner, stress ball, or clay/playdough during the firework display will provide a distraction.
Give deep pressure
Before the fireworks begin, do wheelbarrow walking, tug of war, wear a weighted backpack or another activity that is resistive to calm and organize.  Following these types of tasks, the child is more likely to handle stress/excitement.Have the child sit between 2 people to “squish” themWrap a blanket tightly around the child
Prepare your child:
Have the child watch a video about fireworks ahead of time so they know there is loud noise and sudden flashing lights.Write a social story about the sequence of the day and what happens during a firework display.
Give them some control:
Have them watch for a particular color and count how many there are during the displayHave them say what color they see i.e. red is for firetruck.  With the delay of sound from the flash of color to the boom, they might be talking and not hear the sound as much.
Be prepared:
Have some calm/relaxing time prior to firework display.  If the day was busy and chaotic, the child will be less able to handle the noise, late bedtime, etc.Have snacks, drinks, jackets, etc.  If your child is comfortable, they will be able to handle the stress better.Have an escape plan.  Be at the edge of the crowd for an easier get away.  Know the signs of overstimulation and meltdown and interfere/leave before it happens.  If possible, have enough adults so that one can go to the car with the distressed child and distract/play music until the event is complete.

These tips offered by Emily Lennon, Registered Occupational Therapist, who has 30 years of experience working within the pediatrics field, specializing in early intervention, outpatient, and school based settings. In addition, she is certified in Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests.