Pay Attention!

I attended a training over the weekend. During the breakout session, one of the facilitators zeroed in on the need for parents to learn to listen to their children.

He cited an instance of a little girl whose father's friend habitually smacked her on her bum. Paedophile alert!

The girl wanted to share that with the mother, but she was too busy to pay her any heed.

It's an indictment on any parent when the children are more comfortable unburdening to outsiders.

Even Jesus created moments to be alone with just His disciples!

Sudden behavioural changes in children are symptomatic of underlying problems, some of which may be sexual abuse related.

-When the child starts to withdraw to him/herself.

-Keeping secrets. Not talking as much as usual

-Not wanting to be left alone with a specific person.

-Regressive behaviours or resuming behaviours they had grown out of, such as thumb-sucking or bedwetting.

-Trying to avoid removing clothing to change or bathe.

And a host of other suspicious behavioural changes.

You must learn to read your children's body language and master the art of hearing what is not being said and seeing what is not readily evident!

As a Christian parent, Apostle Peter urges you to "Be sober, be vigilant..." 1Pet.5:8.