We also promote educational reforms and child advocacy programs to broaden these impacts. In the first few years of life, children's personalities blossom as they are influenced by the people closest to them-their parents, primary care givers and teachers. Children depend on these people for love, guidance and security. We know that babies who receive the encouragement of loving, enthusiastic parents are more likely to develop into healthy, well-rounded adults. This is because parents have the capacity to engender positive attitudes, strength of character and love-as well as the power to influence how their children form all other relationships for the rest of their lives.
Parents are the first, and most significant, providers of children for their future.
Raising children demands endless time and effort. It requires skills and the confidence to deliver children's basic needs as well as continuity, patience and self-assurance. Parenting also requires enough control to avoid hurting children when we are angry over their behavior or the pressures and frustrations of everyday life. To prevent child abuse and neglect, we must strengthen families by providing parents with the information and supports they need to provide healthy homes for their children. Parents Anonymous is the nation's oldest program to prevent child abuse, founded 25 years ago by an abusing mother and her social worker.