YOUR FAMILY
By Karen T. Bartlett
Pinwheels for Prevention Preventing child abuse during COVID-19 quarantine
E
very April for the past five years, thousands of shimmering blue and silver pinwheels have burst into bloom in an artful beach “garden” at the foot of the Naples Pier. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and in recognition of the mission to end child abuse, pinwheel gardens spring up in cities and towns all over America. Pinwheels at the Pier, created by the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Collier County, is thought to be the largest pinwheel garden in the U.S., and the only one known to be planted on a tropical beach. This year, CAC planned to expand the pinwheel garden to Naples Botanical Garden. At press time, Naples Botanical Garden is temporarily closed due to the coronavirus. Upon its reopening, CAC plans to create a pinwheel garden within Naples Botanical Garden in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Because Pinwheels at the Pier must take a break this year in the interest of health and safety, the CAC counseling staff would like to share a few stress-busting tips for parents who are home with their children for extended periods. In many ways similar to close confinement during hurricanes, the COVID-19 crisis piles job and financial fears on top of everything else, creating a breeding ground for stress, conflict, and, at worst, child abuse. Here are six ways to help defuse tense situations as we all get through this together. Make a schedule Kids (and maybe you, too?) do best with structure and routine. Maintain set times for waking, sleeping, and meals, just as if they were headed to school or you to work. And, although older kids are guaranteed to roll their eyes, post the schedule. Include game time, or popcorn-andmovie time. Add pictures and silly graphics to appeal to younger kids. Be sure to include “Wash Hands!” If you’re fortunate enough to be able to work remotely, take a lesson from the world’s top authors, musicians, and artists, who discipline themselves to paint, practice, or write at the same time and in the same spot every day. Let the kids
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neafamily.com
NEAPOLITANfamily • April 2020
