Common Family Issues

Ask yourself - would your child know what to do if…

• She got lost at the shopping mall?
• A friendly stranger offered him a ride home?
• She's being bullied at school?
• The babysitter, a neighbour, or relative wanted him to play a secret game?
• A friend asked him to drink some beer or try drugs?
• She was pressured to send someone naked photos of herself?
• A police officer pulled over the vehicle he was driving or she got into a collision?

These are some of the most common concerns voiced by Ottawa parents and guardians. While it's difficult to teach children how to balance trust with caution, kids need to know common sense rules that can help keep them safe.

The following resources provide a good start for creating awareness and building the self-confidence your child may need to handle an emergency.

• The Parent Responsibility Act
• Leaving your child home alone
• Get to know Police and Your Rights
• Teens and Technology
• Children's Mental Health
• Understanding Depression
• Understanding Self harm
• Understanding Attention Deficit (Hyperactive) Disorder (ADD and ADHD)
• Types of Behavioral Problems
• Autism Registry
• Signs your child may be involved in a gang
• Curfew Provisions
• Traffic Safety for your family
• Sexual Assault
• Signs of abuse
• Additction and Mental Health Support
• Helping a Child or Teen through Seperation and Divorce
• Safety Workshop for Women
• Safety at Schools
• More Crime Prevention and Safety Tips

Some Useful Resources from the Children’s Aid Society:

• Information on Talking to Teens, Babysitting, and Leaving a child home alone: Positive Parenting, Volume 1
• Information on Discipline, Sexual Assault, Encouraging Good Behaviour, Spanking: Positive Parenting, Volume 2

Crisis Resources:

• Child, Youth and Family Crisis Line for Eastern Ontario (24/7) 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775
• Distress Centre of Ottawa (24/7) 613-238-3311
• Mental Health Crisis Line (24/7) 1-866-996-0991
• Kids Help Phone (24/7) 1-800-668-6868
• Youth Services Bureau 613-260-2360 (24/7 Crisis Line)
• Crisis Helpline in Ottawa 613-722-6914