Child Advocates: Stressed Out Parents Need Time-Outs, Too
By Jessie Degollado, KSAT 12 News
Source: http://www.ksat.com/news/Child-Advocates-Stressed-Out-Parents-Need-Time-Outs-Too/-/478452/4860284/-/opsqm1z/-/index.html
SAN ANTONIO - "Time out is not just for children" is the holiday message for stressed out parents from Dr. Nancy Kellogg of the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's Hospital Center for Miracles, the only child abuse assessment center in South Texas.
As financial and family pressures mount over the holidays, Kellogg said often children pay the price.
"We know that things can get out of control within a few seconds and in that moment, a lot of tragedy can happen," she said.
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Kellogg said parents need to take a time out before they lash out at their children, even if it's simply putting them in a safe place and walking out of the room or getting a breath of fresh air.
"You just need time to collect your thoughts before you return to caring for your child," she said.
Kellogg said she recommends parents have a time-out plan of where they could go, as well as having trusted friends or family on stand-by who can take care of their children if they feel they are nearing the breaking point.
However, she said single mothers should be careful about leaving their children with their boyfriends.
"If they don't want to take care of your child, you should not leave your child with that person," Kellogg said.
She said it could be a life and death decision for their child.
Kellogg also said if parents need advice or counseling on what to do, the National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, offers free round the clock counseling. She said 211, the United Way Helpline can provide local resources that can assist them.
She said the Center for Miracles takes clients on a referral basis only from Child Protective Services and law enforcement agencies, but its website features a 10-minute video and other suggestions on what they can do if they feel they could be putting their child at risk.
Kellogg said since the Center for Miracles began five years ago, its team of social workers and medical providers have assessed nearly 8,000 suspected cases of child abuse.