PO Box 689 Damariscotta, ME 04543        207-563-1818

 

HEALTHY KIDS


is the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Lincoln County.


OUR MISSION

is to prevent child abuse and neglect in Lincoln County,

and to encourage, support and promote

healthy family environments.



Healthy Kids

is a community based family and professional network,

offering support and educational outreach to families throughout Lincoln County. Since 1985, Healthy Kids has worked to enhance and improve the lives of children and parents, providing a wide variety of programs. These programs are designed to help parents, caregivers and professionals in raising emotionally, physically and cognitively healthy children.


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IT SHOULDN’T HURT
TO BE A CHILD!






In 2011 there were

  1. •50,963 calls regarding child abuse were received by DHHS in Maine.

  2. •17,648 cases of child maltreatment reported to Child Protective Services in Maine.

  3. •46% of those reports warranted child protective services.


Healthy Kids Are Happy Kids!






Parenting INFORMATION FOR June Summer is coming! Time to plan your family vacation....kids love vacations so they can be with you when you are more relaxed. Here are a few tips from Aha! Parenting. Give kids plenty of warning about travel and upcoming events so they feel less pushed around and frightened of the unknown. 2. Coach your kids about the social behavior you expect. Role play with them in the car before you arrive, or make a game of it before you go: “In the hotel hallways, we use inside voices and we don't run. Why do you think that is?" 
 “What if you don’t like the dinner that’s served?” 
 “When you want to leave the table, how do you ask?”
 "The airplane is like a flying village with everyone close together, so there are special rules to be safe and considerate. Let's see if we can guess what they are... It can be hard to stay in your seat...what do you think you could do on the plane if you get bored?" Keep kids on their usual schedule as much as possible. Kids need the security of familiar routines. If you’re flying with kids, plan to arrive early enough that they get to “run” a bit in the airport hallway after sitting still in the car and before sitting still on the plane.  DON'T pre-board -- your child will just have to sit longer in his seat.  Make sure to change diapers and use the bathroom just before boarding.  If you use overnight diapers (more absorbent), you might get lucky and avoid diaper changes on the flight.  Plan no more than one event per day. Have age-appropriate expectations. Schedule in some quiet decompression time every night.  Bring some favorite, comforting books from home. Physical Activity- Be sure your schedule includes plenty of visits to the playground or other opportunities for the kids to get wild. Down time.  Kids need downtime, just to chill out, snuggle, and do whatever relaxes them. If they don’t get it, they can’t really be blamed for melting down when the over-stimulation gets to them. 
What does your child do at home to relax?  Draw?  Play with her imaginary friend?  His little figurines?  Make sure every day includes a little downtime with your child's favorite activity to help him regroup. Watch your kids’ food intake in the midst of too many treats and hyped-up schedules.  Many tantrums originate from hunger. Time with you.  Your kids may be chasing the older cousins, but they still want, and need, time with you. 

DIRECTLY BENEFITS

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION!

PARENT TALK TV SERIES FEATURING LOCAL PARENTS

WATCH ON THE PARENT TALK PAGE!!!!!

TOTAL SUCCESS!

OVER 210 PARTICIPANTS!

THANK YOU!