Brave Enough To Be Bliss

I would have believed the myth below until I went through volunteer training at MOCSA and learned there are basic ways to talk with young children about sexual abuse that aren’t scar y for them. Parents need to seek information about topics that scare them to become educated so they can feel confident about discussing them with their children in age-appropriate ways. Myth: Preschoolers do not need to know about child sexual abuse and would be frightened if educated about it. Fact: Numerous educational programs are available to teach young children about body safety skills and the difference between “ OK ” and “not OK ” touches. These programs can help children develop basic safety skills in a way that is helpful rather than frightening. There is no ultimate, constant, unfailing protection in the true sense of the word. Sad things can and do happen. But we can be prepared to manage the aftermath in a way that doesn’t create lifelong or generations -long impact far outliving the initial damage. No matter how much we want to believe we can protect our children, our loved ones, ourselves, we do not have total control and bad, sad, tragic things can and do happen. These are some of the things parents can control, though, even when they may take reaching out for help, education, therapy, classes, etc. There is no greater investment you can make than investing in becoming the healthiest person you can be so you can become the healthiest parent you can be. ▪ “We teach children to walk, talk, read etc. But somehow, we expect them to know what emotions are and how to manage them. We have to guide them through.” @The_Therapist_Parent ▪ “Parents set the tone for their children. You eat healthy, your kids eat healthy. You exercise, your kids will exercise. You behave appropriately, your kids are more likely to behave well. Don’t just tell them how to live. Show them.” James DiNicolantonio ▪ “Do not let your children have access to social media. Period. The data is unequivocal, unambiguous, and crystal clear. There is no room for debate, for agree-to-disagree, or any other arguing around the edges. Social media is destroying our children. Enough. Be the parents your children desperately need you to be. Please. And before anyone asks, my kids can opt into social media when they turn 18 and they are paying their own phone bill. And even then, like tattoos, I’ll encourage them to delay (though it will prob be a tough sell) until after 25. It’s time we take back our kids.” John Delony ▪ “Parents: Your kids don’t need you to be their friend. They need you to be their parent. They can’t carry your problems, your emotions, your fears, or your needs, and they shouldn’t have to try. They’re just kids. Stop putting the weight of an adult friendship on their backs and start being the safe, regulated, and mature parent they need you to be.” John Delony ▪ “Stop expecting your kids to chase their dreams, respect themselves, forgive themselves, love themselves…if they spend a lifetime watching you do the opposite for yourself.” Steve Maraboli ▪ “Respond to your children with love in their worst moments, their broken moments, their angry moments, their selfish moments…because it is in their most unlovable human moments that they most need to feel loved.” L.R. Knost Children can ask questions and maybe we won’t know how to answer them, but it’s always better to have open and honest conversations so children feel comfortable talking with us about anything. We can always acknowledge we’re not sure but will find the answer and follow up . Remember, we don’t need to be perfect, just honest. And sometimes the conversations can end up being humorous and memorable like this one. caring_for_kids_what_parents_need_know_about_sexual_abuse.pdf (nctsn.org)

“ My son asked me, ‘ Where does poo come from? ’ I was a little uncomfortable but gave him an honest explanation. He looked a little perplexed, and stared at me in stunned silence for a few seconds and asked, ‘ And Tigger? ’” Zack Riley

According to the Songwriters Hall of Fame (songhall.org), one month after having a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer, Linda Creed was commissioned to write lyrics for the theme of a movie about Muhammad Ali. This song was “The Greatest Love of All,” sung and recorded by George Benson for the movie and a decade later

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