The mind of a child should forever be free.

Always to dream and expect it to be

whatever they allow their minds I 

to see.

It isn't bad to let them beleive,

that dreams can come true

for more than a few.

The eyes of a child should never see,

the pain and the hurt 

wherever it be.

Their outlook on life should be 

happy and proud,

not cloaked in the darkness 

of a pain filled shroud.

The ears of a child should never hear

the sounds in life that cause 

so much fear.

Music and song and beautiful words,

should be the only sounds 

ever heard.

Words that teach of love and joy,

and a world full of peace

for each boy and girl.

We should all make a promise to ourselves each day.

to protect the gifts 

that have come our way.

To teach them to trust 

and to make it clear,

that they can love and live 

a life without fear.

Ohma 11-08-2009

As you can tell by the Late entry I struggled with myself about this particular topic. If any of you have read When help is NO Help! you basically know why.

Anyway after having procrastinated to the eleventh hour as they say Hear are my thoughts.

I think that any human being who has ever lived with the pain and humiliation that comes with living with a violent parent, husband, wife, child, or other relative should know that there is hope and help out there. I have referenced  a link to the "National Domestic Violence Hot-line" and there are many more such organizations out there.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

http://www.ndvh.org/

Another valuable resource page is at Medline Plus

Child Abuse

Living with domestic violence is  agony for everyone but my heart especially goes out to the children whose voices are lost in the mayhem. Child abuse is one of the most under reported crimes in America. Often the child abuse is not repoted because the child is to afraid or doesnt realize themselves that there is a problem. Young children especially do not have sufficiant informartion to know that there are people that can help.

As Parents, Teachers, Babysitters, Grandparents Etc.

We all need to educate ourselves on the signs that might be evidence of child abuse. Every state in this country has a reporting system in place that can be as anonymous as you want it to be. If you are not sure of what you are seeing but you are concerned contact authorities and let them decide. It may ccause some issues to have to be involved with these organazations but what issue could be worse than a seriously injured or dead family member or friend.

Warning signs of physical abuse

Physical signs. Sometimes physical abuse has clear warning signs, such as unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts. While all children will take a tumble now and then, look for age-inappropriate injuries, injuries that appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt, or a pattern of severe injuries. Not all physical signs may be out in the open so often we depend on behavioral signs.

Behavioral signs. Other times, signs of physical abuse may be more subtle. The child may be fearful, shy away from touch or appear to be afraid to go home. Unexplained bed wetting or nightmares are often linked to abuse. A child’s clothing may be inappropriate for the weather, such as heavy, long sleeved pants and shirts on hot days.

Caregiver signs. Physically abusive caregivers may display anger management issues and excessive need for control. Their explanation of the injury might not ring true, or may be different from an older child’s description of the injury.