Yesterday was just like any other Tuesday. It started out the same as any other day. We woke up around 6:15. My son is 2 years old. He climbed into bed with my wife and I around 3:00am. We had to put him in a toddler bed at 14 months because he kept climbing out of his crib in the middle of the night. We were scared he would fall and land on his head or break his arm. Yesterday,… Read More »
Prevent Child Abuse Gaston took a break from blogging for a few weeks because we were receiving literally thousands of spam comments on our blogs. Made us realize any reference to child abuse can attract those who will exploit the attention the blog receives for their own benefit. We will be back next week with our next blog about the dangers of leaving children alone in a car. If you have any suggestions of a topic concerning child abuse prevention… 购买ssr节点服务
You are one week out of the hospital from giving birth to your newborn son. You are so proud of yourself – you have the perfect car seat with the perfect insert to hold his head up straight while he rides in the car. The car seat is properly strapped in, placed in the middle of the back seat, facing the back of the car. A baby mirror is attached to the back seat so you can see his face… Read More »
You open your eyes. Your Dad is getting out of the car. The weight of the door swinging open woke you up. The blast of cold outside air chilled you quickly, but Daddy closed the door just as quick as he glanced back at you and said, “I’ll be right back.”
The door shut and you are in the car alone, strapped in your car seat. The warm air from the car’s heater is slowly going away as the car cools off. Daddy turned the car off and took the keys with him when he left. Even though you are three years old, you cannot unhook the straps of your car seat, although you try to get your arms out of the straps so you can slide out. Your coat makes it too hard to do that so you sit there and watch as Daddy walks away from the car, down the side of the road. You pick up your juice cup from the cup holder on the side of your car seat and take a few sips. The apple juice is reassuring as you watch Daddy get farther and farther away.
You look around and out the window you see trees and a fence. You take a few more sips from your cup while you keep looking out the window. You turn your head and realize you cannot see Daddy anymore.
Then you start to cry. Just a little at first. It’s beginning to get cold and it’s starting to get dark outside. You do not like the dark. You don’t know where Daddy is. This is really scary.
You cry so hard you fall asleep. When you wake up, you realize you wet your pants in the car seat. Your legs are even colder because now they are wet. You are hungry and you are scared, really scared because it is dark outside. And you are shivering.
Situations like that described above happen to children across the United States several times a month. Small children are left in cars in all kinds of weather for various reasons. Children left in a car when they are not able to get out of the car are especially vulnerable and at the mercy of whoever finds them, if they are found.
Prevent Child Abuse Gaston and child welfare experts recommend that you do not, under any circumstances, leave a child alone in a car. A responsible adult or older child, preferably a child older than 16, should be left in a car with smaller children at all times. If this is not possible, then the smaller children should come with you.
The above story easily could have resulted in tragedy. This child could suffer psychiatric repercussions from the psychological trauma he endured. The sense of abandonment is huge especially in a child 3 to 5 years of age. That is when children develop their sense of trust and security. If you knowingly put a child in a situation similar to the one described, you could be arrested and prosecuted for child endangerment.
The possible resulting psychiatric effects and behaviors will be discussed in the next post of this series.
Christmas, the Holiday Season and Children all seem to go together. We all wish for a peaceful, joyful time filled with a lot of food, laughter and the company of those we love. But we must think of those children who will sleep on a bare mattress with no blanket or anything to keep them warm on Christmas Eve and on every other night. They will awaken on Christmas morning to no gifts from Santa or some well meaning community… Read More »
December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month! Shopping with children can be a real challenge. Here are some tips that might make it a bit easier: 1. Remember that children have limits. If you are shopping with children, be alert to their needs: are they tired, hungry, overexcited by the noise and confusion, or simply in need of fresh air and exercise, or a reassuring hug? 2. Remember that children are naturally curious. Children are naturally curious; this is how… Read More »
You are now eight years old. Your Mom took you to a big building called a “Courthouse” and you talked to someone called an “Assistant District Attorney”. They asked you all kinds of questions; they were nice to you and your Mom. But you were tired, the building was big, the room was cold and you did not want to talk about it anymore. Your Mom came into your room while you were doing your homework. The nice lady from… ssr节点吧
Even though you see these cases everyday, each one is different. Each one is special. You are trained to approach each case with a fresh eye. But it’s hard. You come, unwelcome, into your clients’ lives. You are regarded as their source of disruption. You may be welcomed with relief or you may be shunned with anger. Each case is different. And, each child tugs at your mind, your training, your emotions, your heart in different ways – because,… Read More »
She’s your best friend – so whenever she’s not at school, you notice. This time she was not at school for several days. You live in the same neighborhood and you heard your Mom and Dad talking about the strange cars that have been parked in front of your friend’s house. There were police cars and a white car with some kind of symbol on the door and people coming in and out of the house. You saw him leaving,… 酸酸乳ssr节点
The front of the building looks like a doctor’s office. You don’t want to get out of the car but when Mom asks you if you are ok, you tell her, “Yes”, and you decide to get out of the car. Mom takes you by the hand; you walk in the front door together. A man greets you as you walk in. He’s tall, dark and very nice to you and your Mom. He talks in a low voice and… Read More »
