Maltreatment of Children! Be an Advocate!
by Mandy
Listen to these facts as reported by Child Protective Services:
3,503,000 children were reported and investigated in 2005 for maltreatment and neglect.
872,000 of those were FOUNDED as neglect or maltreatment of a child!
62.4 % experienced neglect
17.5% were physically abused
9.7% were sexually abused
7.0% were psychologically maltreated
2.1% were medically neglected
These numbers are outrageous. What is the world turning into? Children are a gift. They should not be treated as such.
What can you do? This is quite simple, if you experience or witness abuse of any kind, do not let it continue. Stop the violence! Report it to the police or call a women's shelter or information center for help. When you report a person for abuse, you never have to give your name.
Save a child. Save a life!
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Raising A Child Who Has ADHD
A Parents Perspective
by Angie
I have found that being a mother is the hardest thing a person can do, it's harder than any other job. But I have also found that raising a child who needs special or more attention is even harder.
My son Tyler was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 5 years old, he is now almost 10. It's been a long, stressful 5 years. I was a single mother for the first few years so I did it all on my own and many times I wanted to throw the towel in and quit. We had tried numerous different medications, only to find out they were causing side effects such as weight loss, not being able to sleep, to no appetite at all. Just recently the medication he had been on for 3 years caused him to have tics, so we had to stop all meds ASAP, it was awful!
Through the years I have had to make special arrangements for Tyler, we had to get an IEP for school, and he is punished differently than his siblings, as he doesn't always understand what he is or has done wrong. He struggles in school and at home. To raise a child with ADHD you need to have 100% patience, which I have to admit, I don't always have.
It is very difficult and trying at times.
Raising a child who is ADHD requires a lot of patience, love and understanding.