Once again, a series of tragic events grabs the attention of parents everywhere.

Questions, such as, “What do we do to prevent this from happening again?” and “How do we protect our children?”, are on everybody’s minds.

Community leaders will be debating whether or not anything can be done.

I don’t know what the answer is to this national problem. However, on a very local level –within each of our homes, there is a lot we can do.

Move closer to your kids. If you are already close, move even closer. Developing and maintaining the rapport, communication, and honesty that prevents these tragedies takes a lot of work.

There is an age where children, particularly teens, try to pull away – and become a little harder to hold close than it was when they were young children. However, this is when your children need you the most!

There comes an age when it’s not “cool” to have Mom and Dad around. “Give us our independence!” the kids cry. They become very persuasive…but don’t give in.

It is a scary world out there for kids. And I believe that most kids, deep down, know that they really do need the close relationship they had with their parents. They need advice, correction, rules, and guidance to negotiate the very uncertain waters of their teen years.

Kids, all the way through high school, and well into young adulthood, can benefit from close relationships with parents.

So what is the key? Simple. Time. At exactly the same moment that both you and your kids are swamped with other activities; at the same moment when they tend to pull away…that’s when they need your time the most!

There is no substitute for time spent with you! In a short time, your kids will be out of the house, and on their own. I encourage you to make the best use of the remaining years.

Your children may resist. After all, they have to appear to be “cool.” But don’t give in. Pull them close. They will thank you for it. Someday!