Q&A on Good Parenting

To close out Child Abuse Prevention Month, we spoke with one of our expert Child Development Specialists in the ESLS program.  Lina gave us a brief Q&A on preventing child abuse and why TFC is such an amazing advocate and support system for parents.

Q: As a professional in the field of child development, how you think the ESLS program prevents child abuse?
A: ESLS prevents child abuse by providing supportive services for our families.  We are a helpful and nurturing presence in the home that praises, educates and empowers.  We observe the family life and converse about day-to-day parenting topics.  We praise the positive as well as educate around family concerns.  We do not judge but empower parents to be better role models for their children. 

 
Q: What is your favorite part of being a part of the ESLS program?
A: I truly enjoy the interaction with the families.  I like meeting the children and I like the way we meet our families here.  It’s not invasive.  The families aren’t forced to be here; they’re just here to become better parents.

 
Q: With that said, many parents believe in spankings.  What is your professional take on that?
A: Spankings is a tricky topic.  Many parents do believe in spankings and it’s not necessarily if they are bad or good, it’s understanding what is good parenting and not child abuse.  Everyone has to look at the results of continued spankings, like have they altered the child’s development in any way.

 
Q: How have you handled child abuse cases with client families in the past?
A: With my families, I express the importance of understanding what the state views as child abuse.  Everyone has their own method of parenting, and that’s fine, but when it comes to what is parenting and what is considered child abuse, we have to refer to what could have their children removed from the home.

 
Q: What do you think our local community as a whole can do to help prevent child abuse?
A: I think the community needs more education.  We all need to think of child abuse in a different way.  It’s not just the children that are battered and that you see headlining the news.  It’s malnourished, unkept children.  It’s children that may not have bruises but are being abused every day.  We also need to look at how discipline is handled in the home on a cultural basis.

 
Q: What makes The Family Center a good place for a program like ESLS?
A: TFC is a good place because we’re a community-based organization.  We’re an organization that offers support and guidance, without judgment.  Plus, we’re always smiling.  A lot of my families say they like it here because we’re always happy.  We’re happy people.

---