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CAPC Newsletter
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November 2015
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Hello friends of CAPC! 
November is the time of year that families gather for the Thanksgiving holiday to enjoy a delicious feast. This year, use the Thanksgiving season is a chance to express the reasons you are thankful, and nurture a sense of gratitude in your family and with your children.
*Tell family members and friends why you are thankful for them.
*Read a Thanksgiving story with your family on Thanksgiving day.
*Invite a neighbor or friend to join in your Thanksgiving meal
.
*Show your appreciation to your babysitter, child's teacher, mail carrier or others by doing something for them.
*H
elp other families in your community by donating canned goods to a local food pantry.
*Send care packages to those serving our country. Even small items like toothpaste and lip balm can make a big difference in the daily life of a soldier.
*Prepare a Thanksgiving basket filled with special treats to give to a family or your favorite charity.
*Make a Thanksgiving tree using construction paper and have each family member write down what they are thankful for on the leaves.
*Give back to your community by volunteering at a local charity, library or senior center.
*Go around the dinner table and have each family member tell their favorite family memory. This will bring lots of smiles and laughs as memories are shared.
Please help share the work we do and forward this
to your friends and colleagues too.
Thank you for everything you do to help
prevent child abuse in Amador County!
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Don't Let the Holidays Stress You Out!
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year for many, but it can also bring added stress to families - pressure to be on time, finances, hectic days and nights, trips, guests, etc..
It's a good time to remember that kids of all ages feel the stress too and will act out in a number of ways. Younger kids may exhibit stress by crying, tantrums, clinging, excessive energy, temporary regression such as thumb sucking and many other ways.
Older kids may be feeling overwhelmed, get cranky, and have what many call, "an attitude." Older kids not only have the
stress of hectic schedules, family gatherings, and shopping (and paying) for gifts, they are also wrapping up the end of their school quarter or semester and have extra school work, projects, tests, and are worrying about their grades, they may
be applying to coll
eges, or working extra hours.
There are several ways to simplify the holiday season. Attend fewer social events that are just for adults and cut back on outside commitments. Be more relaxed about how your house looks and entertain less.
Travel less, allowing your family to think about which traditions are meaningful to them and which ones they want to keep. Ask your children what it is about the holidays that they most enjoy and look forward to. You may be surprised by their answers. Much of our holiday stress comes from putting our time and energy into activities that may not be right for us, our family, or our current situation. Add more holiday joy and reduce stress for you and your family by identifying what is important and what is affordable in terms of time, energy and finances.
Hopefully, slowing down can help reduce some of the stress in your lives and the lives of your children.
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Child Abuse Prevention Council
975 Broadway
Jackson, California 95642
(209) 223-5921
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Events:
Friday, Dec. 11, 5:30-8:00pm
Margaret Dalton Children's Center, 975 Broadway, Jackson
Next CAPC Meeting
Monday, Dec. 14, 10:00am
975 Broadway, Jackson
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Our Vision
All children know they are valued; all families receive the support, education and tools necessary to give every child a safe, healthy and nurturing home; and a community that actively supports the health, safety, and education of its children.
Our Mission
CAPC is committed to preventing all forms of child abuse in Amador County through community partnerships, free trainings, education, and family-centered events that value children, strengthen families and engage communities.
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If a friend, neighbor, or relative watches your child, please consider...
Be sure they are comfortable watching your child.
Not all of us are cut out for watching kids, especially for long periods of time. If you are leaving your child in the care of a boyfriend or girlfriend, a neighbor or a relative, you want to make sure they are up to the task and that your child will be safe.
An equally important question to ask is:
Is your child comfortable staying alone with this person?
Give them basic information.
It's important to provide the person watching your child with the following:
- How to reach you at all times.
- What to do in an emergency, or if your child becomes sick or injured.
- How to cope with a child who won't stop crying or who is screaming hysterically.
- Where it is okay to take them.
- How to use car seats properly.
Can they comfort your child?
A crying or screaming child can push just about anyone over the edge. Frustration or anger can lead to a child being injured or even killed.
For your child's safety it must be made clear that it is never okay to shake a child, or hurt a child when feeling angry.
The caregiver must know who they can contact if they need help.
If you are not reachable by phone, caregivers can call a 24 hour help line to speak with a crisis counselor.
800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)
For more information about protecting our children, please visit the following website:
"Children depend on many adults as they grow up. Parents, relatives, teachers and child care workers all provide children with love, support and guidance.
No one wants to see children grow up with fear, anger or neglect. But no one is born knowing how to care for children. Sometimes we make mistakes that hurt them.
Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a relative or a caregiver, you can make a difference and help the children you love grow up in a caring, loving environment. Adults don't have to be perfect, just willing to listen, learn, grow and change."
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