ch may be to help the child figure out what they did wrong and show them how to learn from their mistakes. Kids need to understand the reasoning behind our rules and they need to feel that they can correct these mistakes if they do make them. No matter what the child has done, he needs to know that your love for him/her is unconditional.It is vitally important for your children to witness the display of appropriate behaviors in the way you act, as well as other adults that are prominent in their lives. Children most often learn by example. They need structure in their lives including clear expectations for behaviors-theirs as well as others. It is important for parents to make rules and to stick to them. This will help children learn to act and behave in ways that are good for them and for others around them. Parents should constantly strive for a safe, nonviolent home environment. This is especially true for aggressive arguments between parents and/or siblings. The amount of violence children see in the media should also be monitored and controlled. We should talk to children about the violence they see on television, in the movies, and in video games. If it is age appropriate, help them understand the implications in real life and the serious repercussions for violent behaviors. These are also good opportunities to let them think of nonaggressive ways to solve problems without violence. We must also teach our children to care for themselves when threatened by another person. Children need to believe that it is better to resist violence than to become a part of it. We must teach our children to accept and respect others regardless of race and ethnicity. This has been a very brief and condensed summary of some of the priorities that all parents and adults need to consider. The extent of youth violence in our country did not develop in a short time frame and will not end in like manner. My hope is that many others will realiz...
