10 Suggestions For Parents Who Have Considered Taking Their Children to Nebraska to Drop Them Off

Twenty-three children have been dropped off atmistakes, find many ways to tell your child how well he
Nebraska hospitals because the State's safe havenis doing in another area, such as basketball or cleaning
law. The intent of the law is to allow parents to bringup his room (Well, maybe not). Some children act out
their infants to a "safe haven" for protection and carebecause they have experienced trauma in the past or
when they cannot meet the child's needs. Of the 23they have an emotional problem. Take your young
children left at Nebraska hospitals thus far, none wereperson to a local mental health facility for an evaluation
under the age of 6. Some were from other states.to see what he needs.
What this highlights, is the need for families to have7. Some children respond negatively if the parents in
sufficient and appropriate services and support whenthe household are fighting or arguing with each other. If
they have difficulty with one or more of their children.this is the case, seek marital or family counseling.
The more frequent, difficult and complex the child's8. Some teens may be reacting to a parent that has
problems are, the more likely that the youth will cometheir own difficulties with substance abuse, mental
to the attention of a public agency. In times of severeillness, or criminal behavior. Family, church and
budget cuts, agencies often do not have the fundscommunity members can step in to support that family
necessary to provide adequate services for high needmember and encourage them to get help. If the family
youth and their families. Everyone from the youth tomember will not change, then help support the child.
the family, to the youth serving agency becomeCommunity members need to step up to the plate and
frustrated because they are not seeing the changeshelp each other when they can.
that will help the youth and family be stable and lead9. When you can't do it yourself seek professional help.
pro-social lifestyles. So what is a parent to do?Look in the phone book or ask someone whose
1. Seek help from a counseling center, school, oropinion you trust.
minister.10. Know where your children are, what they are doing
2. Read books and articles and watch TV programsand who they are with. Talk to them about their
on how to help your child.activities, thoughts, hopes, fears, and plans. Let them
3. Reinforce the behaviors you want the child to do.know you care about what is going on in their lives.
You can reinforce with something that the youthTurn off the TV for one hour and do something as a
received automatically in the past (such as TV orfamily.
game time), but now has to earn by demonstratingParenting is not easy. Most of us could use a little help
certain behaviors, like coming into the house on time.in raising our children. After all, "they did not come with
Stick to your rules and don't give in to the child's upsetinstruction manuals." Don't be afraid to ask. Someone
at being deprived.has had the same problem you are having with your
4. Set good limits and boundaries for children, whilechild and will have some useful ideas. Sometimes that
giving them adequate love and nurturing.is a neighbor or friend, but sometimes it is a
5. Enroll your children in positive community activities,professional. Don't wait until you have a huge problem;
especially if you work long hours. Adult supervision isget some help and support when the problem is small.
very important to the well-being of youth.It is much easier to manage then. Good luck; keep your
6. Be more positive than negative. Everyone needs tochin up; You can do it.
feel good about themselves, so while correcting