A message from the Director

At KARE our mission is to end child abuse and neglect through advocacy, education and support. We offer programs that strengthen families by providing resources and tools parents and relative caregivers need in raising their children. We offer specific services to families that have experienced abuse situations, and we provide programs that prevent problems before they occur. In short, we meet families where they are.

As part of our effort to reach families, we publish a monthly article on parenting issues in The Mountaineer. Our most recent article can be viewed below. We hope that you will find this information useful and thought provoking. If you would like more information on this topic or have questions about other parenting issues, please contact us @ 456-8995.

Thank you for your interest in KARE.

Yours in service to our children,

Theresa Morgan

Fantasic Parenting

January is the time of year when many people, if inclined, make and enact their New Year’s Resolutions. Some people want to begin an exercise program, eat healthier meals, learn a new skill, or acquire a new career with the hope of creating healthier, happier lives. If becoming a fantastic parent is on your list this year here are some suggestions that may help accomplish your goal!

Adapted from Parents Magazine December 2008 article “Fifty ways to become a Fantastic Parent”:

Play with your children/ Schedule daily special time. Let them choose the activity, and don't worry about rules. Just have fun.

Read books together every day. Get started when he's a newborn; babies love listening to the sound of their parents' voices. Cuddling up with your child and a book is a great bonding experience that will set him up for a lifetime of reading.

Make warm memories. Your children will probably not remember anything that you say to them, but they will recall the family rituals -- like bedtimes and game night -- that you do together.

Be the role model your children deserve. Kids learn by watching their parents. Modeling appropriate, respectful, good behavior works much better than telling them what to do.

Respect parenting differences. Support your spouse's basic approach-- unless it's way out off line. Criticizing or arguing with your partner will do more harm to your marriage and your child's sense of security than if you accept standards that are different from your own.

Give appropriate praise. Instead of simply saying, "You're great," be descriptive and specific. You might say, "Waiting until I was off the phone to ask for cookies was hard, and I really liked your patience."

Ask your children three "you" questions every day. The art of conversation is an important social skill, but parents often neglect to teach it. Ask "Did you have fun at school?"; "What did you do at the party you went to?"

Talk about what it means to be a good person. When you read stories ask your toddler whether characters are being mean or nice and explore why.

Explain to your kids why values are important. When you're kind, generous, honest, and respectful, you make the people around you feel good and will feel good about yourself.

Set up a "gratitude circle" every night at dinner. Go around the table and take turns talking about the various people who were generous and kind to each of you that day.

Eat at least one meal as a family each day. Sitting down at the table together is a relaxed way for everyone to connect -- a time to share happy news, talk about the day, or tell a silly joke. It also helps your kids develop healthy eating habits.

Love your children equally, but treat them uniquely. They're individuals.

Say "I love you" whenever you feel it, even if it's 743 times a day. You simply can not spoil a child with too many mushy words of affection and too many smooches.

Savor the moments. Parenthood is the most exhausting job on the planet. Your house is a mess, the and the laundry's piled up. But your kid just laughed. Enjoy it now -- it will be over far too fast. www.parents.com.

So whether you are inclined to make resolutions or not –I wish you and your family much success and happiness in the next year! Happy Parenting and Happy New Year!

If you would like more information about this or other parenting topics, call KARE at

456-8995