Arizona Department of Child Safety
Phone: Child Abuse Hotline 1-888-767-2445
Take 10
Parenting can be overwhelming. Often the feeling of being overwhelmed as a parent can feel isolating, but you are not alone. There are ways to cope with being frustrated, exhausted, and overtired that will keep you and your child safe. Taking just 10 minutes to yourself to readjust can make a big difference.
Lean into the resources around you. They will help provide a sense of community and help protect your family. Whether you have relatives, neighbors, or caretakers to help, raising a child requires all hands on deck, so make sure you are staying connected to those around you and finding healthy coping mechanisms.
Distract.
Distance.
De-stress.
At DCS, we believe following something as simple as the
10-10-10 Rule
can save a life. Healthy coping mechanisms allow you to remove yourself from a stressful parenting moment and ensure the safety of both yourself and your child.
Grab the phone instead of your baby. It is always a good idea to have a ready list of friends and family members to call when the stress of parenting intensifies. Sometimes a 10-minute chat with a person who really listens can make all the difference.
If you find yourself getting frustrated or angry, put your baby in a safe place and put 10 feet between you and the baby until you feel your sense of calm return. This simple rule will keep you and your child safe in a time of major stress.
If nothing is working to soothe your baby, place them on their back in an empty crib. Close the door and check on the baby in 10 minutes. During that 10 minutes, relax and calm down. Try washing your face, breathing deeply, or listening to music.
Explore Additional Parenting Resources
Birth to Five Helpline
In order to teach your child by example as they develop, you need information and resources to be successful. Experts are here to support you and provide sound information on the norms of childhood development. The Birth to Five Helpline provides child development and fussy baby experts, as well as community referrals. They are available M-F from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-877-705-5437.
Practicing Mindfulness
When you stay mindful amidst stressful circumstances, you are teaching your child to do the same. It is important for parents to stay calm in order to show their children how to react. Reach out to other parents and talk about ways they lead by example. Practicing mindfulness alone, with your child, or with other parents can create a calming environment for everyone when problems arise. A socially and emotionally sound parent leads to a socially and emotionally sound child, so lean on those around you to develop mindful parenting skills.
2-1-1 Arizona
Your journey through parenthood should not be lonely. Your local community stands behind you, ensuring access to everything you need to raise a healthy family. Making connections with your neighbors and the statewide agencies available to you will help you find the support you need. Many of these resources can be found in your own backyard, and 2-1-1 Arizona can help you locate them. This information and referral service is always available to help families find resources throughout their state and local community.
Crisis Response Network
There are services, resources, and people around you to provide hope and to help you cope when you feel like you are going through a crisis by yourself. It can be hard to know what your options are when seeking mental health resources. The Crisis Response Network is available 24/7/365 as a connection point between you and the services you need.
First Things First (FTF)
First Things First (FTF) offers a Program Finder tool which easily helps parents, grandparents and other caregivers search for free early childhood programs and services located near them. As Arizona's early childhood agency, FTF funds services like parenting workshops and home visitation programs throughout the state. Families can use the Find Programs tool on the FTF website. Available in English and in Spanish.
Report Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect
When children experience abuse or neglect, they often talk to a person with whom they feel safe. If a child shares those experiences with you, YOU may be the child’s only advocate. Please act to protect that child by calling the toll-free
Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445).
To learn more about Prevention, please visit our DCS Prevention page.
