I am going
to present some links here........dealing with issues that I feel need
addressing, and that all parents need awareness too.
I ask you not only to read the sites, but talk about it
with your children. And please....don't just talk, but listen
too!
Eventually..........within a few weeks, I hope to have
a few web pages designed specifically for Teens.......
I will list that site here when it is ready.
The TEEN Page is ready to view and share! Added 5-5-99 I highly stress YOU view it first, it is an educational.......no holding back site of 21 pages.
Today I am also going to ask you to reach within your
hearts.........for some this may be easy, for others extremely
hard.
Please dig within your hearts......
and pray for the souls of the two boys who took the
lives of the students of Littleton.
I ask this as even though they have done the
unthinkable........they still are two souls that need prayers.
I also ask you to pray for their families.
We are all God's Children,
and although times like this prove it so hard to keep
strength in God's word............he does say to pray for sinners.
I ask each of you to pray.
Pray for them as well.
As a parent one thing I am certain is my love for my
children, the fact that I feel close with them..yet am I to be
assured that my kids never do wrong, no.......there is no guarantee's
in life when raising children.
So please..those parents hurt too!
Pray that this never happens again.
Pray that we can offer other Teens the guidance
they need when they are lost.
Pray that parents find way's to communicate with their
children so such tragedy never again occurs.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed
art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood
of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world
today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners
in the Universal Church, those in our homes and within our families.
Amen.
This next part is especially for parents:
You may ask yourself WHY I am listing these
links........the answer is simple.........an ounce of education is worth
an pound of prevention.
It is my goal to see this never happens
again!
TALK to YOUR Kids PLEASE
Keep communication OPEN!
KNOW YOUR KIDS!
KNOW THEIR FRIENDS!
COMMUNICATE
LISTEN
Links:
>(These Links are specifically for parents to view and
then to talk with your children about.)
Teen and Young Adult Suicide
Facts
The person who completes suicide dies once. Those left
behind die a thousand deaths, trying to relive those terrible moments and
understand... Why?
Understanding
and Preventing Teen Suicide
Please Urge your children to always reach out
for help.........when depressed, suicidal, pressured, etc.
Suggest these ideas:
FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP
Parents/Responsible Adult
>School Psychologist/Social Worker/Counselor
Teacher
Doctor/Nurse
Personal Clergy
Yellow Pages of Phone Book - Mental Health Services,
Suicide Prevention
Boys Town National Hotline 1-800-448-3000
* IF EMERGENCY - CALL 911 *
.
Tell your Teens:
The most
important thing you can do for a friend is immediately tell a responsible
adult - someone who will listen, take you seriously, and take action to get
your friend help. If the first adult doesn't listen to you or believe you,
keep going, keep going until you find someone. You will not
be betraying a friend's trust - it is an act of true friendship! A suicidal
threat, even if said jokingly, should always be taken seriously!!
This article I found well written:
How to Talk - and Listen - to Your Child
Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your
child is listen. Don't feel as though you need to come up with answers to
every question that he may have - the most important thing is to let your
child know that you care and you're available.
While you're talking to your child about issues of
school violence, be sure to take the opportunity to ask him about his own
school. Does he feel safe at school? What about the school, classmates, or
teachers make him feel safe or unsafe? Who are his friends at school? Has
anyone ever made any threats of violence at school?
It may be reassuring to your child to know that, despite
detailed media coverage of school violence, schools remain one of the safest
places he can be. The odds of a child dying from a violent act at school
are less than one in a million.
Tell your child that if he ever feels unsafe at school
or hears a violent threat being made, he should talk to a teacher, guidance
counselor, or principal right away. This suggestion is not intended to scare
him unnecessarily, but your child should know that these threats need to
be taken seriously. Otherwise, kids may feel that expressing their concerns
about safety would be the equivalent of telling on a friend. Just as it's
important for your child to talk to an adult about a friend who may be suicidal,
it's important to talk to an adult about a friend or schoolmate who is talking
about committing acts of violence. Stress to your child that to do so is
not tattling on a friend - it's the responsible thing to do.
How You Can Help
If you're concerned about your child's safety at school,
contact the school administrators to find out what measures they're taking
to ensure the safety of the students and staff. Have there been violent incidents
in the past? If so, how did the school respond? What is the school's policy
on handling threats? Ask your child's school to form a committee to address
these issues of security and safety and offer your participation as a concerned
parent.
What should you do if your child expresses concerns
about going to school or being left alone at home and you don't know how
to handle it? Check with your child's school administrators to see how they
are handling the issue. They may be bringing in extra counselors to talk
to the students. You should also ask your child why he feels that way - try
to figure out what his specific concerns are so you can address his fears.
Contact the school's guidance counselor, your child's doctor, or a mental
health specialist for additional advice.
If you're concerned about your own child becoming violent,
there are warning signs you can look for:
disregard for the rules of society (such as violating
the rights of others)
sudden changes in behavior or appearance
preoccupation with weapons or violent games
expression of violent thoughts (violent drawings or
stories, for example)
previous violent behavior (cruelty to animals, for
example)
drug or alcohol abuse
"Previous violent behavior predicts future violent
behavior," says Paul Robins, PhD, a psychologist at the Alfred I. duPont
Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. It's important to remember
that the other signs can suggest a variety of problems that your child may
be having, but they may not be a reliable indicator that your child will
become violent.
If you suspect that your child is at risk for committing
violent acts, talk to him about your concerns. You should also talk to your
child's guidance counselor for advice, or contact your child's doctor for
a referral to a mental health specialist.
Center For Prevention of School
Violence
I thank you for your time.........I ask simply
for you to stop, listen and understand your children.
They are our future.
Thanks and God Bless!
Tina