Dear Ms. King,

With this being Child Abuse Prevention Month, I have a few thoughts I’d like to share.

A child, any child, every child who makes it into this world has the right to a nurturing environment, someone to recognize the potential for greatness each one possesses and a constant reminder that he or she is a precious gift from God deserving your best efforts every day.

Parents have to be able to realize the responsibility that comes with any living, breathing thing. It takes a lifetime to get it right, but the desire to do one’s best is not always something that everyone develops. Life and love take prayer, patience, tears, laughter, pride, humility and honesty with oneself.

If in your quiet place, you can admit that you are overcome with the stresses of life, take a break, don’t touch your child when anger overcomes common sense.

Remember that words cut deeper than knives and that the child you abuse or neglect today could become the monster you and everyone else will fear tomorrow.

Parents are the first teachers, and the lessons last a lifetime. Everyday I realize how blessed my sisters and I are for having parents who taught us discipline, faith, respect for ourselves as well as others, humor, compassion and strength.

Marilyn Allen

Vienna