Grimme`s Top Ten Tips For Parents to Prevent Violence, by Don & Sheryl Grimme

1. Act as role models. Settle your own conflicts peaceably and manage anger without violence.

2. Communicate openly with your children daily — two-way:

• Listen to their ideas, hopes, fears and concerns — without judgements or pronouncements.

• Talk with them about the violence they see — on TV, in video games, at school or play. Help them understand the consequences of violence.

3. Nurture their independence, sel- confidence and self-respect.

4. Involve your children in setting (and enforcing) rules for behavior, punishments and rewards. Explain that you don't accept and won't tolerate violent behavior.

5. Teach your children how to solve problems and express anger without hurting others.

6. Teach them to accept individual differences. Discourage name- calling, teasing and bullying.

7. Get to know their friends, activities, and what they're thinking and feeling.

8. Be alert to the warning signs of violence in your children and in their friends and classmates.

9. If you keep firearms/ammunition at home, ensure they are separately stored and locked, and that children know they are never to be touched without your permission and supervision.

10. Take an active role in your children's schools. Work with them, community groups and other parents on developing and enforcing violence prevention programs and standards.

Copyright Sheryl & Don Grimme. All rights reserved.