While becoming a parent may seem to be one of the most natural of things, it is a tough and demanding job. And it is probably the most important of all jobs.

But the statistics regarding child abuse - in Houston, Texas, and across the U.S. - are startling. In Texas alone, over 40,000 kids suffered abuse or neglect in 1999. The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services has launched a new public awareness campaign, aimed at parents: "It's Up To You - To make a difference in your child's life. Get involved, put your child first."

"Abuse usually occurs in an environment where there is isolation and stress," says Marilyn Wetzel, a family resource specialist in the parent education and family support department of DePelchin Children's Center, a Houston agency that works collaboratively with Texas Medical Center hospitals and other social and health care agencies throughout Harris County and surrounding counties. "The stress isn't usually a `big' stressor. Even in divorce, there is typically some kind of support. But the final point of stress - and these are the little stressors that have built up - may be just a spilt glass of juice," says Wetzel.

DePelchin Children's Center - and other area agencies - offers parenting classes to help parents learn positive approaches to discipline. Classes in both English and Spanish are located throughout Harris County (see resource phone numbers below).

Neglect and abuse of children occur at all income levels and in all demographic groups. Children's advocates all agree that there simply is not enough attention paid to prevention and parent education.

"The classes offer a way for parents to re-train themselves in the way they handle stressful situations with their children," says Wetzel. "Working through the group process is so beneficial. Being with other parents who have `been there' is supportive and helps very much in lifting that sense of isolation."

Additionally, at DePelchin, classes are offered for the children. If the parent is in a class session that helps focus on how to praise children, the children would be in a group with a similar topic. The results can be heart warming: "A mother came up to me not long ago and said, `My son told me I was beautiful!'" says Wetzel.

Children's advocates offer a number of important skills for new and/or stressed parents to keep in mind:

• Enroll in a parenting or parent support class or group
• Consciously make good parenting the highest priority.
• Do things with your children. Schedule outings and activities at home.
• Talk to you children each and every day.
• Know what is going on at school. Join the parent-teacher organization; at the very least, meet with teachers regularly.

"The parenting classes aren't for `bad' parents," says Wetzel. "The classes are for parents who want to be the very best. We've never met parents who didn't want to be just that."

- Roger Widmeyer

Helpful Phone Numbers DePelchin Children's Center Parents Anonymous Support Groups (24-hour line): 713-861-HUGS (4847) Other DePelchin services (teen pregnancy prevention programs, foster care, adoption services and counseling program for children): 713-730-2335; toll free: 1-888-730-2335 Mental Health Association of Greater Houston: 713-522-5161 Children's Protective Services: 1-800-252-5400 Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (to report suspected child abuse): 1-800-252-5400

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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