What Can I Possibly do to Prevent Child Abuse?

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and I know what you’re thinking. “I don’t abuse children so what can I possibly do to prevent child abuse?”

More than you think.

As modern-Americans, it’s easy to disengage because we’re already burdened with doing so much: balancing work and home, commitment to our schools and faith-based communities, extended family involvement, keeping up with overflowing calendars and kids’ activities, and keeping the pantry stocked and meals on the table {or passed to the backseat of your minivan — don’t pretend you’ve never done this.}

Where is the time and energy to serve your community and make a difference when you’re simply trying to do the next thing?

Your intentions are good. Your hearts feel compassion for those in need. You know that there are indeed real needs, even if you don’t truly know how raw and real those needs are.

So how can everyday folks like you and me be superheroes in our own communities when we’re already stretched thin?

That’s where this post comes in.

This week begins a blog series that will take us through Child Abuse Prevention Month.

It’s called “Everyday Ways We Can ALL Help Prevent Child Abuse.”

We hope you’ll be inspired toward everyday ways you can help protect the most vulnerable in our community.

You don’t always have to do “big” things. That line of thinking undermines the real good we can do when we’re simply going about our everyday business of work, getting groceries, volunteering at our kids’ schools, and making dinner.

Here are 3 things you can do today:

1. Realize that your privilege is, in itself, abundance.

You have more to give than you think. If you’re reading this, you’ve received privileges over which you had no control. You don’t choose the family, socio-economic class, educational pedigree, or community into which you’re born.

It’s natural to take these graces for granted, but they are indeed privileges.

Add up just a few of these privileges and you get abundance.

We tend to think we need more time, extra money, or a measure of expertise to “pay it forward” and make a difference. But what if we began to adopt a mindset of incorporating helps and kindnesses into our everyday?

It all begins with awareness.

Which brings me to the next point.

2. Be aware. Notice.

That mom in the grocery store at 5:30 pm with four kids and circles under her eyes? She’s running on fumes and simply wants to get the groceries in the car and the kids fed and in bed.

The daily grind is hard enough without crisis and chronic instability. Too much stress, in the form of sleep-deprivation, financial hardship, and family drama, can push even a loving parent to snap.

But what if you could be the unexpected grace that keeps a stressed-out parent steady and helps them make it through the day?

Yes, you.

It begins with noticing her.

Buy a cold Dr. Pepper from the checkout cooler and say something like,

I bet it’s been a long day. Here you go. Take it, I insist. You’re doing an awesome job, getting the groceries and corralling these energetic kids. Deep breaths. You’re gonna make it.

There are countless ways this scenario might show up across our community but they all have the same simple tasks in common — paying attention and offering practical, everyday kindness.

Your compassion may provide the crucial grace a frazzled parent needs to keep calm and carry on.

3. Share this post with your friends.

Help us share positive prevention messaging with the community! Together, we can make a difference.

Join us next week when we offer more ideas to inspire everyday actions we can all take toward child abuse prevention. By the end of this month, you’ll have a toolkit full of everyday ways you can make a difference. Right where you are.

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