Preventing Abuse
Celebrating the life of children in your community
So often, today, we hear about the costs of having children. These are usually described as economic, social or career costs. We hear talk of the sacrifices made by adults in their lives as a result of having children.
It is sometimes easy to lose sight of what is important. In the middle of life’s busy pace, take time out to reflect on the ways children contribute to your life or the life of your community.
Children enrich the lives of adults in many ways. They give adults:
- Their trust.
- The chance to be a hero.
- The chance to share in the magic and wonder of their world.
- The chance to reflect on your own values, attitudes and assumptions about the world.
- The chance to share in their fun and their laughter.
- The chance to revisit your own childhood.
- The chance to take time out from being a grown up.
Ways to tell children they are important
- Show them that you are interested in them by spending time together, listening to them, joining in their play.
- Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small.
- Praise them for trying, no matter what the outcome.
- Keep special reminders of their successes and milestones.
- Let them help you do things.
- Let them know it is OK to make mistakes, it is all part of learning.
- Help them to build on their strengths.
- Ask their opinion on things that affect them. It shows you care about what they think.
- Help them to solve their own problems. Show them that you have faith in them.
The Australian Childhood Foundation has another website which gives lots more information about how to celebrate childhood and value the role of parenting. Click here and you will go to our website at www.kidscount.com.au
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