Thought for the day….prevention…this is a very big word with Therapeutic parenting, setting things in place so that you prevent the negative and or bad behaviour from even occurring. As parents we get ready for a young baby coming into the home or even our new pets by thinking about prevention, how do we prevent our baby or pet from harming themselves and others? My question is are we doing this same thing for our kids? Are we setting things in place to keep them from making mistakes, to keep them from getting hurt? So, have you actually child proofed your home? Lock things up, put things away that you don’t want broke. Kept your money on you or in a locked box if you don’t want it taken. Don’t want them over eating sweets? Don’t buy them, buy healthy instead. I have a child that will gorge if I leave food out (like a casserole after tea), I have to put it away asap or he will eat it all. He can’t help it, if he gets sick on over eating left out food it is not his fault, it is mine for not protecting him and putting it away. How is it my fault? I know that he doesn’t understand when he is full and is also afraid of going hungry, so he gorges without thinking about it. He does not have the ability to not eat it. If I leave out food then I am responsible for the food loss, his sick tummy, and the shame he will feel after. Just as we are responsible for keeping a baby safe from electricity and sharp objects, we need to look at our kids the same way. What can I do to protect them from what they cannot change? Does your child dis-regulate every time they try to tie their shoes? buy slip on shoes. Does your child dis-regulate every time you go to a crowded park? Don’t go to a crowded park. Does your child dis-regulate after drinking soda? Don’t give them soda. Will your child cut up their cloths with scissors? Keep them locked up. You get the idea…if you make a safe environment for your child, then your child will be safer. They will still have problems, but at least they won’t have the ones that could have been prevented.