Rusk County Children's Advocacy Center
Breaking the
Cycle of
Abuse, One
Child at a Time
Cycle of
Abuse, One
Child at a Time
How You Can Help
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Texas Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-252-5400
1-800-252-5400
Tips For Stress-Free Summer
The summer is a joyous time when loved ones come together. But for
many families, the summer can also be a time of stress and
frustration, sometimes unintentionally resulting in an increased risk
to the child.
Prevent Child Abuse Texas offers the following tips to help families
enjoy the summer while keeping tension to a minimum:
1. Establish a budget for summer spending. Be realistic about
what you can afford to spend on entertainment, special foods, travel,
etc.
2. Hold a family meeting to discuss summer plans. Ask for ideas
from the children for family activities that would appeal to them.
3. Post a calendar of family activities in a place where all family
members will see it.
4. Check community calendars and local lists of events to find
inexpensive or free activities for children. Write all possibilities on
individual slips of brightly colored paper and put them in a "summer
fun jar." When children have been especially cooperative with other
family members, allow them to choose a slip of paper from the jar.
Then, the family can enjoy an afternoon of fun activity together.
5. Have your children make a list of elderly or shut-in neighbors
in your area. Plan to share a meal, some of your time, or run errands
for these neighbors. Explain to children that helping and sharing are
important elements.
6. Find time to relax and reflect on the simple joys of the summer.
When you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, take a break to get a
better perspective on what needs to be done and what can be done.
7. If you find that it is becoming difficult to avoid being verbally or
physically harsh with your children, STOP. Don't take out your anger
on your kids. Instead, try the following:
· Take a deep breath and count to 20.
· Phone a friend.
· Take a walk outside, or use another form of exercise.
· Laugh. Even a comedy show on television will help
relieve stress.
· Spend one hour doing something you really enjoy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prevent Child Abuse Texas is the leading organization working to
prevent the abuse and neglect of our state's children.
More information is available by accessing the organization's web site
at www.preventchildabusetexas.org.
Learn More about Prevent Child Abuse Texas
The summer is a joyous time when loved ones come together. But for
many families, the summer can also be a time of stress and
frustration, sometimes unintentionally resulting in an increased risk
to the child.
Prevent Child Abuse Texas offers the following tips to help families
enjoy the summer while keeping tension to a minimum:
1. Establish a budget for summer spending. Be realistic about
what you can afford to spend on entertainment, special foods, travel,
etc.
2. Hold a family meeting to discuss summer plans. Ask for ideas
from the children for family activities that would appeal to them.
3. Post a calendar of family activities in a place where all family
members will see it.
4. Check community calendars and local lists of events to find
inexpensive or free activities for children. Write all possibilities on
individual slips of brightly colored paper and put them in a "summer
fun jar." When children have been especially cooperative with other
family members, allow them to choose a slip of paper from the jar.
Then, the family can enjoy an afternoon of fun activity together.
5. Have your children make a list of elderly or shut-in neighbors
in your area. Plan to share a meal, some of your time, or run errands
for these neighbors. Explain to children that helping and sharing are
important elements.
6. Find time to relax and reflect on the simple joys of the summer.
When you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, take a break to get a
better perspective on what needs to be done and what can be done.
7. If you find that it is becoming difficult to avoid being verbally or
physically harsh with your children, STOP. Don't take out your anger
on your kids. Instead, try the following:
· Take a deep breath and count to 20.
· Phone a friend.
· Take a walk outside, or use another form of exercise.
· Laugh. Even a comedy show on television will help
relieve stress.
· Spend one hour doing something you really enjoy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prevent Child Abuse Texas is the leading organization working to
prevent the abuse and neglect of our state's children.
More information is available by accessing the organization's web site
at www.preventchildabusetexas.org.
Learn More about Prevent Child Abuse Texas
