Let’s save our children

When one is 76 years old, has worked with children over 50 years as a teacher/counselor with youth and grieving deeply for three little ones of my own family being adopted out of our family because of the addictions of their parents, I may just have a few insights on how to break this terrible cycle of abuse and suicide perpetrated on children.

1. Stop yelling at and demeaning your children. If you dislike, resent, even hate a child, then deal with it. You are the adult.

2. Have required family meals together, daily if possible. Prayers of gratitude by families are helpful.

3. Assume baby sitters are drug/alcohol free. Their refusal is a red flag.

4. Parents, arrange personal time to relax.

5. Parents, stepparents, if you’re addicted, get help. You are the adult.

6. Grandparents, stop enabling your adult children suffering addictions. Speak openly, honestly, with your concerns. It’s important to set boundaries that pinch enough that healthy choices may be made for the sake of your grandchildren. Money requested for food will probably go for drugs and the children will still starve. You are the adults.

7. Parents, grandparents, teachers, please listen with care, not judgment, to the children in your care.

8. Monitor children’s TV, music and phone use.

Sister Julie Wokasch

Spokane