20 Reason Why Good Kids Make Bad Choices!

Every day in our communities good kids make bad choices. As a crime and violence prevention consultant, I have compiled a list of 20 reasons as to why this is so. I have found that these reasons generally fall under the two general categories of loss of family or loss of community.
LOSS OF FAMILY
1. 50% of marriages end in divorce - 1 in 4 women in abusive relationships - Children learn behavior from adults.
2. Adult bullies: Mental abuse with put downs, insults, belittling, cursing, screaming and controlling without listening or guiding.
3. Physical abuse: hitting, whipping, slapping, kicking or sexual abuse of a child.
4. Bio-parents have authority to discipline and guide children, stepparents, boy friends or girl friends do not.
5. Emotional women (crying, pleading, begging) lose their authority with teens, especially boys.
6. Adults, who don’t listen, send a message… ”I don’t care.” Children become frustrated, lack self-confidence and may become socially isolated.
7. Neglect and abuse creates anger. Anger prevents emotional growth and a lack of self-awareness, which puts youth at risk.
8. Parents who can’t say NO, will experience resentment, anger and disrespect. They are teaching their child to be self-absorbed!
9. The neglect of a child's spirit: If adults fail to teach children about their awesome inner power and potential, they may not value themselves or others.
10. Bullies are emotionally “off-center” with a wounded spirit: This child uses intimidation and fear to gain power and control over others...and to hide their pain.
11. Pincushion kids (victims) are emotionally “off-center” with a wounded spirit: Shy, sensitive children may feel inadequate, suffer in silence and become easy targets. Bullies and victims are often attracted to each other.
12. Bullies and “Pincushion" kids (sensitive) lack healthy role models. Strong “centered” adults create a network of support, listen and stay calm when disciplining and guiding children.
13. Children lacking spiritual values and support do not discover a healthy balance between ego and spirit. Peers can become their teachers as they experiment with drugs, alcohol, sex or other self-destructive behaviors.
14. Youth, unable to cope or “fit in,” can become disconnected from family, friends and feel alone. They are likely candidates to dropout of school, join gangs or become addicted to drugs. Some may even runaway and become homeless.

LOSS OF COMMUNITY
15. The loss of neighborhood support creates more social isolation for families. Youth do not see neighbors as role models, mentors or problem solvers working together to keep their neighborhood safe for everyone.
16. Gangs, drugs and violence become a life style for alienated youth. Gangs use fear to control neighborhoods as they become role models for children. Rival gangs kill for power. (Primitive ego-driven tribal behavior) Note: Terrorist use the same tactics to gain power and control over others.
17. Violent movies, video games and TV reinforce the bully/victim behavior for disconnected youth. Sex and violence used to degrade and control women.
18. Easy access to drugs (escape from reality) and guns (power tool for youth disconnected from community).
19. The religious community has lost influence with many of today’s families due to scandals, corruption and the sexual abuse of children.
20. Religion, the foundation of a free society, has neglected to reach out and “Love thy Neighbor.” Working together…the religious community has the power to bring neighbors together, become role models for youth and create peaceful communities.

Every bully, delinquent, truant, abuse victim, drug dealer, gang member, and child struggling to grow up with drugs and/or domestic violence lives in somebody’s neighborhood.

By Stephanie L. Mann, Family and Neighborhoods Safety Consultant
Join “Safe Kids Now Mailing List" and learn what YOU can do to keep children safe. www.safekidsnow.com

Let's work together to wake up Americans!

TIME TO WAKE UP THE SLEEPING GIANT! Money, police and laws can not stop crime, drugs and violence in our cities. These are "crisis of the spirit" problems.

Children are the largest group of victims and they are paying the highest price for "spiritual ignorance." Bring your energy (wisdom) and join us to help wake up Americans. Click: SAFE KIDS NOW! for more info.

10 good reasons to know your neighbors!

EMPOWER FAMILIES to keep kids safe - 4 ways to JOIN SAFE KIDS NOW! - See website for more info!

- Strengthen and support families
- Create a strong sense of community
- Restore hope & build trust
- Reduce fear & isolation to help neighbors stop tolerating bullies, crime, drug abuse, gangs and violence
- Create a safe environment for children to play
- Restore positive values as neighbors become mentors and role models
- Stop destructive youthful behavior before young boys or girls get out-of-control
- Encourage projects (emergency preparedness, block party, safety fair, etc)
- Solve neighborhood problems (lighting, speeding cars, abandoned houses, vandalism, graffiti, etc.)
- Learn about police & citizen responsibilities

Kid Injuries - Go to doctor ASAP

Summer can be a time for injuries. Get to your doctor ASAP if...

• Head injury including hard hit from a fall.

• Obvious deformed or immediately swollen body part.

• Bleeding won't stop, see flesh beneath skin...need stitches.

• Hard hit to abdomen (bike handlebars) could be internal damage.

• Steps on or is otherwise punctured by rusty nail.

(Source: Chicago Tribune)

14 killed each week in LA!

16 year-old Brandon Garrido was gunned down May 10th in Los Angeles. He was just one of 14 killed by violence in LA that week (740 a year). Click below to read the whole story!

If you want to help stop children from becoming victims, contact me. Stephanie

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126853039

Summer is coming! Speak up for kids...

DO YOU CARE ABOUT KEEPING KIDS SAFE THIS SUMMER?

Join the National Safe Kids Now Speaker’s Bureau. We will give you the tools to educate your community. Our staff offers 3 teleconferences to help you get started and answer your questions.

Contact us! Click logo for contact info.

How to create self-sufficient, resilient kids

Kids can make good choices! Parents...How many positive networks of support surround your child? They need family, extended family, religious family, supportive schools, good neighbors and friends. If kids feel loved and respected, you don't have to "control" their behavior, they will see...real power comes for self-control.

Volunteering: Perfect for teens

Teens can gain valuable experience by volunteering. Teens can try out new things that could ignite a lifelong passion. In addition to the positive social impact of service, volunteer work looks great on a job resume or college application.

So don't hesitate! Get out there, volunteer and take your preteen or teenager. Join a group that is already making a difference. By helping your community, volunteers learn people and leadership skills and much, much more.

IDEA: How about joining a neighborhood church or civic group and presenting the "The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook." What better place to start than in your own neighborhood!

Go to www.safekidsnow.com for more information.

Question from Meg...Condo owner

Hello. My condiminium complex has had numerous break-ins (especially in vehicles) lately and a few weeks ago someone tried to break into my house through a window. We do have an alarm system and so that helps but I'm really worried about being safe when I'm by myself just walking down the street or in any situation. Any advice?

(Question originally posted and answered on www.allexperts.com)

Hi Meg,
Unfortunately, this is a common concern but you can create a safe place to live. Here are some ideas for you.
- Don't leave anything of value in your car. However, if you must, lock in trunk...out of sight.
- At night, if you are close to your car, keep your car keys near by. If someone tries to come in a window, press the alarm on your car to scare the intruder away. If you are not close to your car, know all your neighbors so you can call someone. Get their agreement to make noise and bang on your door. (911 takes time to respond. The neighbors next door can help immediately.)
- Keep apartment locked. Most burglars enter through unlocked windows or doors.
- Burglars don't like noise or light. Consider getting a whistle, a barking dog, leaving a radio on during the day or installing a motion sensor light.
- Criminals are a small group and they are primarily young and local. Your best protection are your neighbors. Get to know and trust them. Join or start a condo safety group. As a group, you have the power to educate and get residents involved so they can help each other stay safe. When young people learn your complex is not an easy target, they will stop coming into your area. Alert, informed neighbors will not tolerate crime. Help your neighbors take charge of their safety!

Your police departments may have crime prevention information. Your group can invite an officer to speak, if the police have the resources.

You can find my book, "Safe Homes, Safe Neighborhoods: Stopping Crime Where You Live" online or at your local library. Also, I will be putting more information on my website as I have a new book coming out. Stay Safe! Stephanie

5 things to do TODAY to protect your child!

Keep kids safe from predators!
1. Know all the neighbors on your block...you or your child may need them in an emergency.
2. Encourage children to use their intuition...if they don't feel safe, run and get help.
3. Always have children use the buddy system when going to and from school.
4. Map your neighborhood for safety. (danger areas, traffic, river, park, dogs, etc.)
5. Role play...if your child is grabbed, tell him or her to yell "CALL 911" and fall on the ground kicking and screaming.

What advise do you have for keeping kids safe?

For more information
http://www.about-megans-law.com/