Cactus Village Community

PARENTING ISSUES By CAO Karen Freund

Jul 18, 2003

Parents, sometimes it seems we need a refresher course, or at least a gentle reminder, that parenting is a difficult, time-consuming, oftentimes thankless, full-time job. Lately, I have been receiving a more than usual number of calls dealing with unsupervised juveniles. Please read over the following suggestions and be honest with yourself as to whether or not your parenting skills have taken a short vacation.

Most importantly, ALWAYS know where your children are.

Know the name (last name), address and phone number of your children?’s friends.
Don?’t let your kids play outside after dark. Drivers can?’t see them and, if a stranger were to grab them, it may be too dark to get a good description of the driver or car.
There is a curfew in the city of Phoenix: Under 16 years old ?— 10:00 p.m., 16 and 17 year olds ?—midnight ?— seven days a week.

You have a right and a responsibility as a parent to check backpacks, bedrooms, desk and dresser drawers, closets, etc., for evidence of cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, graffiti and burglary tools.

Teach you children to be respectful of others. Foul language and obscene gestures may become the domestic violence and road rage calls of the future.
Supervise your children EACH AND EVERY MINUTE they are in or around a pool.

Children under the age of 14 are permitted By Law to use motorized skateboards. Older children must abide by the laws set forth for motorized skateboards ?— Call your Community Action Officer if you need more information.
Teach your children to respect the property of others. Cutting across someone?’s lawn is trespassing ?— Use the sidewalk.

Teach your children NEVER, EVER to walk off with, or get into the car of a stranger ?—not even if it?’s to help look for a lost puppy!

Parents are the teachers and caregivers of their children. How they turn out usually depends on how much time and effort you put into them. Be there for them. Help them to grow into mature, responsible, self-reliant, productive adults. They?’ll thank you for it and so will the community they live in!. . . ☻