Find ways to cope with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines

There are more people staying home and you may have lost your usual activities due to the new restrictions. Social distancing doesn’t mean you’re alone.

• Stay in regular contact with family, friends and neighbors by phone, social media or other technology! Even a few minutes of conversation a day is important.
• Take part in healthy activities that relieve stress. Take walks, go outside, read or tell stories. Find ways to cultivate joy and connection.

Reduce the pressures of parenting

You may feel like you have a lot more on your to-do list, especially with kids at home.

• Feel good about what is going well and celebrate the small things! Pat yourself on the back for a decent meal, a funny joke or just quiet moments.
• Build a new routine at home. Remember to include breaks for everyone to take care of themselves with downtime, playtime and exercise.
• Speak up when you need help and offer support when you can.

Reach out for help

Sometimes the pressure can be too much. Reaching out for help is important for you and your family. The following are 24-hour free help lines for different needs.

• For confidential support when you need help with the stresses of parenting, call Child Help:
  • Call or text 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or live chat at childhelp.org
• For help with teen specific concerns:
  • Call Texas Youth Helpline: 800-989-6884 or text 512-872-5777
• For help with parenting tips, local resources and to learn about family fun:
  • www.helpandhope.org
• For mental health support and crisis care, call iCARE:
  • Call or text iCARE at 817-335-3022
• For access to services through a social service hotline:
  • Dial 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905 or go to 211texas.org

For all other questions/updates on COVID-19, visit cdc.gov.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) toll free at 1-800-252-5400, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may also file a report using the secure TDFPS website. Reports made through this website take up to 24 hours to process. The Texas Abuse Hotline is 1-800-252-5400.

For more resources:

• The Center for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
• About The Center for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
• Early Detection of Child Abuse and Neglect Training
• Predicting Child Abuse and Neglect
• childhelp.org
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

About The Center for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

The Center for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect is focused on innovative ways to address this important concern in our community.

Through the 2007 Community-wide Children's Health Assessment & Planning Survey, child abuse/maltreatment was identified as one of the top seven health issues affecting the children of North Texas.

Child abuse and neglect includes the issue of child abuse but is also a more all-encompassing term that describes a wide range of behaviors and related risk factors that are unacceptable and must be addressed. These include:

• Sexual abuse
• Physical abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Neglect
• Neglectful supervision
• Medical neglect
• Threat of gang violence
• Bullying
• Cyber bullying
• Related trauma
• Trafficking

Learn more about our program here. 

"Parents may think buying costumes that are too big allow children to wear the costumes for several years, but outfits that are too big can cause falls," said Dana Walraven, manager of Community Health Outreach at Cook Children's and coordinator of the Safe Kids Tarrant County Coaltion.

Use these tips as your kids are preparing for Halloween:

1. Select costumes that fit well.
2. Trick-or-treat with your children.
3. To help drivers see kids in the dark, put reflective tape at the top and bottom of costumes. This lets drivers better see your kids' height and movement.
4. Use face paint instead of masks so trick-or-treaters' vision isn't blocked.
5. Plan a familiar trick-or-treating route on safe, well-lit streets, use sidewalks and cross the street at intersections.
6. When crossing the street, use the crosswalk and make eye contact with the drivers so you know they see you and your group.
7. Use a flashlight or glow stick to light the way.

For more safety information

Being a parent is tough. We want you to know that you are not alone. We've compiled tips, resources and practical advice on a variety of safety and prevention topics designed to help you raise a safe and healthy family.