(Personalize this and send it to your local newspapers as an op ed, or shorten it for a letter to the editor, and follow up by telephone.)For help doing this, go to the Advocacy chapter of Prepare Tomorrow’s Parents’ Guide, which includes working with media, at www.preparetomorrowsparents.org/guide5.pdf, or contact Prepare Tomorrow’s Parents at info@preparetomorrowsparents.org or 1-561/620-0256)

Also consider adapting the op eds developed for Illinois and Connecticut!

Parenting is one of the most important things we do as human beings and as citizens. Eighty percent of Americans become parents, yet far too few are prepared for this awesome task.

This year, go beyond the ties and flowers and chocolates, and participate in the Sixth Annual PREPARE TOMORROW'S PARENTS MONTH, from Mother's Day through Father's Day. Thank parents for what they do and celebrate the importance of quality parenting by helping create a better future for all children. Everyone who has contact with children and teens – at home, at school or elsewhere -- can do at least one activity this month to build skills in empathy, nurturing and communication, and knowledge in child development and appropriate discipline among young people.

Parenting Education is a necessary part of education for all. A growing body of research shows the importance of good parenting, well beyond avoiding the too prevalent tragedies of abuse and neglect. Preparing young people to become caring and competent parents may be the single most effective way to prevent child abuse and other forms of violence and increase the mental health, school preparedness, and academic success of future generations. Students who understand the responsibilities of raising children are also more motivated to delay parenting past their teenage years. Furthermore, these skills for future parenting help create more caring, cooperative and effective classrooms from the day they are taught.

To learn more about how and why to prepare young people for parenting, contact Prepare Tomorrow’s Parents, a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated since 1995 to bringing Parenting Education to all children and teens. Visit www.preparetomorrowsparents.org, email info@preparetomorrowsparents.org or call 1-561/620-0256.

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