Parenting

Choosing to become a parent is a permanent decision, and should take careful consideration. Since young adults are in optimum physical conditioning, many may decide to become parents during early adulthood. Parents are nurturers, managers, and advisors. They may act as mediators, especially In sibling disputes. Sometimes they act as a social initiators, encouraging their children to build friendships. Parents are mentors and economic helpers. Raising a child is a major life task that involves tremendous emotional, physical, mental, and financial resources.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln9yN8aGQFM

PARENTING - to be or act as a mother or father to someone. https://www.google.com/#q=parenting+definition
You cannot be too loving. "It is simply not possible to spoil a child with love," he writes. "What we often think of as the product of spoiling a child is never the result of showing a child too much love. It is usually the consequence of giving a child things in place of love -- things like leniency, lowered expectations, or material possessions." http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/10-commandments-good-parenting

Toddlers

Toddlers are children between the ages of  1 and 3 years. They continue to grow physically , but the pace slows considerably. During the toddlers years, children learn many new gross- and fine-motor skills. At the beginning of toddler years, toddlers are often just learning how to take a few hesitant steps without support. During infancy, neurons In the brain grow and sprout and branches or pathways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jthd0F3vpU  ... How toddlers act as they grow .
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT The following are signs of expected physical development in a toddler:
GROSS MOTOR SKILLS (use of large muscles in the legs and arms)
•Stands alone well by 12 months
•Walks well by 12 - 15 months (if the child is not walking by 18 months, he or she should be evaluated by a health care provider)
•Learns to walk backwards and up steps with help at about 16 - 18 months
•Throws a ball overhand and kicks a ball forward at about 18 - 24 months
•Jumps in place by about 24 months
•Rides a tricycle and stands briefly on one foot by about 36 months

FINE MOTOR SKILLS (use of small muscles in hands and fingers)

• Makes tower of three cubes by around 15 months
• Scribbles by 15 - 18 months
• Can use spoon and drink from a cup by 24 months
• Can copy a circle by 36 months

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

• Uses 2 - 3 words (other than Mama or Dada) at 12 - 15 months
• Understands and follows simple commands ("bring to Mommy") at 14 - 16 months
• Names pictures of items and animals at 18 - 24 months
• Points to named body parts at 18 - 24 months
• Begins to say his or her own name at 22 - 24 months
• Combines 2 words at 16 to 24 months -- there is a range of ages at which children are first able to combine words into sentences; if a toddler cannot do so by 24 months, parents should consult their health care provider
• Knows gender and age by 36 months

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• Indicates some needs by pointing at 12 - 15 months
• Looks for help when in trouble by 18 months
• Helps to undress and put things away by 18 - 24 months
• Listens to stories when shown pictures and can tell about immediate experiences by 24 months
• Can engage in pretend play and simple games by 24 - 36 months

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002010.htm

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse: includes inappropriate behavior toward or with a child including touching, sexual acts, and exposure to pornography.

http://www.theupcoming.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/sexualabuse.jpg

1 out of every 6 American adult women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed rape; 2.8% attempted rape).

About 3% of American adult men — or 1 in 33 — have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.

15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 12.

73% of sexual assaults were perpetrated by a non-stranger.

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18^th birthday.

93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker.

• 34.2% of attackers were family members.
• 58.7% were acquaintances.
• Only 7% of the perpetrators were strangers to the victim.
• Nearly 50% of all victims of forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling are children under 12.

Victims of sexual assault are:

• 3 times more likely to suffer from depression.
• 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
• 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.
• 26 times more likely to abuse drugs.
• 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide

Sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes, with 60% still being left unreported.

Males are least likely to report a sexual assault, though they make up 10 percent of all victims.

While about 80% of all victims are white, minorities are somewhat more likely to be attacked.

https://www.clevelandrapecrisis.org/resources/statistics/national-statistics-about-sexual-assault http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khc7r2PST8c

Sexual abuse is unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent. Most victims and perpetrators know each other. Immediate reactions to sexual abuse include shock, fear or disbelief. Long-term symptoms include anxiety, fear or post-traumatic stress disorder. While efforts to treat sex offenders remain unpromising, psychological interventions for survivors — especially group therapy — appears effective.