Did You Know?

The Importance of Being Dad
Fathers have an important role in raising their children, including teenagers. It is more than being the breadwinner for the family, but also as a nurturer, disciplinarian, moral instructor, role model, and skill coach.

One mistake that a lot of fathers make is to
believe that being a good dad is being a strict disciplinarian. Setting and enforcing limits is important to be a good dad, but fathers who are also affectionate, nurturing, available and actively involved raise the most successful and well-adjusted teenager.

Source: New Teen Book, Horn Ph.D., Wade F. and Carol Keough, Better Homes and Gardens Books. Meredith Corporation, 1999.

Child Safety on the Internet
The Internet is filled with opportunities for
learning, communicating, and sharing information. Like any large community, however, the online world presents some risks, especially for children.

Quick safety tips:

• Parents must be aware of where their
  children go online.
• Children should never disclose personal
  information to anyone in cyberspace.
• Young children should be accompanied
  when exploring the Web.
• Older children need to know their parents’ rules before surfing.
• Children should be taught that not
  everything they read online is true or
  dependable.
• Parents should regularly discuss the
  Internet with their kids and spend time with them while they’re online.
• Never allow your child to get together with someone they “meet” online unless you go to the meeting with them.