It’s called So You’re 18 and addresses issues that new adults need to know and think about — employment, voting, drunk driving, marriage, military service, for example. It’s not riveting reading (it’s written by lawyers, after all), but it is written so that real people can understand it.

You can download a pdf of the pamphlet from the VSB website, or you can call/write/email me, and I’ll send you a hard copy. It’s free.

Sandra Rohrstaff, 10605 Judicial Drive, #B6, Fairfax, Virginia 20030; 703-273-9500; srohrstaff@wrsattorneys.com

More than 25% of children say they are bullied at school! Nearly one-quarter of public schools report that bullying is a daily or weekly problem.

Your child might be a victim of bullying if:

• She is afraid to go to school or do organized activities with classmates
• She has unexplainable cuts or bruises
• Her clothes, books or other belongings are damaged or missing
• She often cries or seems sad

It’s often hard for children who are being bullied to talk to a parent or other adult, but it is very important for them to tell.  Create an atmosphere of trust with your child so you can help her. If you think your child is being bullied, you can help:

• Ask your child to tell you about the bully. Listen carefully. Let her know it’s not her fault.
• Teach ways to deal with bullies. Teach her to walk away or find an adult. She should not react to the bully. Hitting back won’t end the problem and may get her in trouble (even if she didn’t start it).
• Encourage her to make friends at school.
• Talk with the teacher or principal if the bullying doesn’t stop. They have a responsibility to stop bullying. Find out if the school has a program to prevent bullying. If not, suggest they take immediate steps to develop one.

Yesterday, I posted a blog about bullying that features a bullying prevention program being used in Frederick County, Maryland.

If your child is being bullied at school and you need more information about her rights and the responsibility of the school, I will be glad to provide you with information that is helpful to you. You can contact me at srohrstaff@wrsattorneys.com, or give me a call at 703-273-9500.

Childhood bullies often grow up to be adult bullies. Maybe you’ve even run across one. If bullying is a problem at your child’s school, go to the principal. Your child has a right to be safe at school.

From working in Barnes and Noble I have learned about Code Adam, the process of locating a missing child in a retail establishment or a public place.  We train regularly in executing the procedure, just in case.  We did it every night for a month before the Harry Potter release party back in 2007.  However, I had never actually done one until last weekend.

Last weekend we had a parent come up to us saying that she couldn’t find her two little girls.  I was the one who received the information and had to make the overhead page…”Attention Barnes & Nobles customers, we have a Code Adam, etc…”.  We found the girls very quickly, but still I was shaken for hours afterwards.

I wrote the article explaining what Code Adam is and why it exists for you to share with parents.  I was very impressed by the customers in the store that day because everyone froze and was silent while we looked for the girls.  I think it’s helpful for parents to know that this procedure exists.

Stephanie wrote an article with more information about CODE ADAM that I posted on my firm’s website.  Here is a link to the article she wrote. Thanks, Stephanie, for helping to spread the word.

Car Safety Seats Information – Detailed guidelines for children based on age and weight with illustrations sponsored by Healthychildren.org

Kids And Cars –This website helps prevent accidental vehicular injuries by offering educational information, technological devices, and a breadth of news stories.

Information about the two chapters and nine coalitions in Virginia can be found at Safe Kids of Virginia.  Each of the chapters and coalitions actively work to prevent unintentional injuries in children by addressing risk areas that are significant in their locality. Topics include car seat safety checks, bicycle rodeos, pedestrian safety training and water safety, as well as special events.

The researchers are asking their colleagues in pediatric trauma care to spread the word about the site.

When they are very young, you and they just enjoy each other’s presence.  It’s a time of interacting and being physically close — and laughing and enjoying each other.

As your child gets older, there are games to play with the stories.  Your child will let you know his favorites and will learn to “read” along with you.  And, there’s all that being physically close and laughing stuff going on. 

Reading with your child is just plain fun, for both of you.  Besides the relaxation and fun you’ll have laughing and playing with your child while you try to read a story, your child will be learning that reading is fun.

Period.

Chuck Collins, a fellow member of the Fairfax Bar Association, wrote a book and created a website, both called Holding Onto Love.  Both are full of resources for grieving parents, and the website offers an exchange of coping ideas and comments from others.  Chuck and his wife are also active in The Compassionate Friends, Inc., an international support group assisting bereaved families who have lost a child, sibling or grandchild.