Think of Your Neighborhood as the Village it Takes to Raise Healthy Kids!

Hello Montville!  I hope that your spring is off to a great start! I love driving around and seeing so much in bloom, especially in my own neighborhood! So,  while we are on the subject of neighborhoods , let's talk about April's Asset of the Month: Neighborhood Boundaries-  when neighbors take responsibilty for monitoring young people's behaviors in the neighborhood. Now this should not be confused with calling the police on kids or yelling at them: but rather helping to set the tone about which behaviors are acceptable and those which are not acceptable in your ( and their) neighborhood!

Kids crave rules and structure...though it often does not seem this way, it is true! When you see a kid or group of kids wakling down the street in the neighborhood, wave or say hello. I know that it is hard sometimes not to yell at a kid for skateboarding or riding a bike in the road, but consider your delivery....maybe you can stop and say something like " I would hate to see you get hurt, or hit by someone"....they may respond negatively to you, but deep inside they like that you cared! Organize a neighborhood watch and make sure you involve the youth in the neighborhood...if you include them they often become invested in the same things as you... like safety for the families that live in the same neighborhood as them. Help them to "own" the idea of neighborhood pride!

Lead by example as opposed to making an example of a kid.....if you see a kid vandalizing something...ask them why they would do this in their own neighborhood, or how they might feel if someone damaged something important to them. Again the response you receive may be less than pleasant, but I guarantee you got he or she thinking about it. Remember that youth are part of the "village" that is needed to raise them, so be sure when setting boundaries they are part of the process! 

Have an Amazing April! Blog with ya next month! ~ Barbara