Child care and parenting skills

1. What is child abuse?
Washington State law defines child abuse or neglect as: Child abuse or neglect shall mean the injury, sexual abuse, or negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child's health, welfare and safety is harmed thereby.

Types of child abuse include: mental injury, sexual abuse, neglect, physical injury or death.

2. How can I get my baby to stop crying?
Your baby may be hungry (try feeding your baby), uncomfortable (check their diaper), cranky, tired (try holding your baby), sick (check the baby's temperature), bored (rock or walk your baby), frustrated (try patting or massaging your baby) or upset by too much activity (move the baby to a quieter place).

3. How can I help my child who is in trouble at school?
Act quickly. Talk to school staff and try to resolve the problem. You can ask for a hearing within a few days after any incident of misconduct. If you are granted a hearing, bring people or documents to help your child's case. Talk to the superintendent, principal, counselor and teacher. You can even appeal your child's case to the school board.