Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center Parenting

04/14/2026

Our children look to the grown ups in their lives to learn how to be in the world. If we yell and get testy when they don't do what we want, it shouldn't surprise us when they throw a little fit when we don't do what they want. Teach by example. It's okay to say "I'm frustrated right now so I'm going to step back and take a deep breath before I respond to you."

If you are tired of the yelling, the guilt, and the daily power struggles, I can help!

Join me for "Discipline Without Damage" and let me show you how to get your strong-willed child to listen without yelling, punishing, or losing your mind.

You’ll learn how to stay calm, set clear limits, and break the cycle that is not working.

📅Wednesday, April 22
🕘9am Pacific | 10am Mountain | 11am Central | 12pm Eastern
💻Live on Zoom

Comment DISCIPLINE to save your free spot 💛

04/13/2026

It's time! Start thinking about how to keep your kiddos occupied over the summer break. As I find out about opportunities I will share them. Here's the first one:

04/08/2026

This is really helpful for parents whose children (especially 'tweens and teens) think we're blaming them for things when we think we're just asking them to do something.

04/01/2026

Thank you, Governor Josh Stein, for elevating the need for all adults to protect children! Child Abuse Prevention Month is a great time to think about how you can step up to help Rowan County's Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center continue to do our prevention and treatment services at No Cost to the families we serve. A fun way will be to come to New Sarum Brewing Company on 4/11 anytime after 2pm for Bands, Brews, & Barbeque!

03/16/2026

This is just one of many reasons to build a relationship with your children that makes them feel they can tell you ANYTHING. Watch how strongly you react when they admit mistakes. Calm Down before you react. Praise the courage it took to fess up before dishing out a reasonable consequence.

Braden Markus was 15 years old when he was sextorted.

In the moments before his death, he pleaded with the person targeting him.

Stories like Braden’s are heartbreaking — and they’re happening to teens across the country.

Sextortion criminals rely on fear and shame to control their victims. But silence is what they count on.

If you or someone you know is being threatened online, tell a trusted adult immediately.

You are not in trouble.

Silence helps predators — conversation protects kids. Talk early, talk often.

For more information on sextortion and what you can do to stay safe, visit dps.mn.gov/sextortion

03/16/2026

Ever notice that the more upset you get, the harder it is to soothe a baby? It's true - they feed off of our energy. When you can remain calm, it helps baby get back settle down faster! Learning ways to stay calm yourself is a gift that you actually share with your baby.

03/13/2026

School breaks are fun for children but supervising them is challenging. Sexual abusers know that. Empower your kiddos: teach the proper names for private body parts, keep your cool when they admit mistakes so they feel they can tell you anything, and explain they should never keep a secret from you. Abusers test children before taking it further. Learn the signs of grooming here:

New research on grooming behaviors can tell us what high-risk behaviors we ought to look for when an adult interacts with children.

03/11/2026

Most parents know the frustration that comes from kiddos not doing what we want, or how frustrated they get when we won't let them do what they want. This single session can short-circuit a lot of that, to get them to cooperate and handle frustration well. Try it!

03/09/2026

It's a free-for-all!

🦷 FREE Dental Clinic Tomorrow!

Need dental care or know someone who does? Join us tomorrow at the Rowan Community Center (formerly the old Salisbury shopping mall) for a free dental clinic for adults only. We offer extractions, fillings, and cleanings.

⏰ Doors open at 6:00 AM
📍 Rowan Community Center – 1935 Jake Alexander Blvd W, Salisbury, NC 28147
....and Mike will be waiting for you with cold water as you wait.

03/09/2026

The world changes, sometimes faster than parents and guardians can keep up with. Log in for this and more of Operation Parent's great webinars on topics important for raising kids today! https://rs9fo.share.hsforms.com/2FlwqfYbWSW-49TGqR9ExtQ?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8QKhjTMf4_ltoC4qhdiOCMFaX_esW3nbpW51fh7wDPRO9w01cX3Uj8lGSZ9qwweWRfMjNUhZOFjTF3v-k0hKiPjwdKx9pd3zS4iJgQ8ABE45afYlg&_hsmi=406922379&utm_content=406921013&utm_source=hs_email

03/06/2026

Resentment and stress can happen when reality doesn't meet our expectations. But think: what did you actually say to your child? Was is just, "Your room is a mess!" and nothing else?
The more detail you give, and the more clearly you say what you are expecting them to Do, the more likely your child will meet your expectations.