Helping Children Grow Up Safe, Loved, and Strong

Welcome! This page is for parents, caregivers, and anyone who wants the best for babies and young kids. Children ages 0 to 5 are developing fast – and how we care for them really matters. Building healthy relationships in the early years starts with you!

How Parents' Relationships Affect Children

How parents treat each other matters to children, even if they don’t understand every word. When parents are happy and healthy, it helps kids:

• Sleep better

• Feel safe and calm

• Learn how to handle feelings

• Make friends

But when there is yelling, stress, or fighting, kids may:

• Feel worried or scared

• Have trouble sleeping or eating

• Feel bad about themselves

• Copy unhealthy behaviors they see

Understanding Abuse and Neglect

1 in 7 children in the U.S. are abused or neglected each year. 

Abuse isn’t just hitting. It can also be:

• Yelling all the time

• Ignoring a child’s needs

• Leaving them alone or unsafe

• Not helping with food, sleep, or love

  
  

Children in low-income or high-stress homes are at greater risk. Abuse can hurt their minds, hearts, and bodies for years to come – but there is help.

What You Can Do To Keep Kids Safe and Strong

1. Build a safe, loving home

• Stick to simple routines like bedtime and meals

• Talk and listen with kindness

• Ask for help when you are feeling stressed

  
  

2. Get support when you need it

• Talk to a doctor or counselor

• Reach out to friends, family, or parenting groups

• Make use of local services (Like childcare help or food programs)

Breaking the Cycle of Hurt

Many parents/caregivers with tough childhoods want to do better for their children. Therapy can help you heal, parenting classes can give you new tools, and YOU can stop the cycle and build a better future.

Tips to Handle Conflict in Healthy Ways

Even loving parents disagree. Here are some ways to do it safely

1. Stay calm

2. Listen to each other

3. Apologize when needed

4. Talk in private, not in front of kids

5. Get help if things feel too hard

Resource Hub

Parenting & Family Podcasts

The PedsDocTalk

With Dr. Mona Amin

Good Inside

With Dr. Becky Kennedy

We Are Family

Parenting stories and tips

Care and Feeding

Real talk for real parents

Books for Young Kids about Feelings, Boundaries, and Consent

Don’t Hug Doug by Carrie Finison

My Body! What I Say Goes! by Jayneen Sanders

Please Don’t Give Me a Hug! by Judi Moreillon

Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson

Ask First, Monkey! by Juliet Clare Bell

Do You Have a Secret by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos

Will Ladybug Hug by Hilary Leung 

Personal Space Camp by Julia Cook 

Don’t Touch My Hair by Sharee Miller 

C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison 

Resources Available in Lawrence, Kansas

Childcare and Education

Community Children's Center

346 Maine Street, Lawrence, KS 66044 | 785-260-8184

 kimpolson@communitychildrenks.org

EIN 48-0699069

Food Pantries Available 24/7

Take what you need, leave what you can

Sunrise Community Pantry

1501 Learnard Ave.Lawrence, KS 66044

Lawrence Freedgin Kansas Pantry

(Behind Latchkey Deli)

1035 Massachusetts St.

Pantries With Regular Hours

Just Food Pantry

1000 E. 11th St.

Lawrence, KS 66046

Hours:  9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays

More information

The Care Cupboard (Satellite of Just Food)

Heartland Community Health Center

1312 W. 6th St.

Lawrence, KS 66044

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays

More information

Ballard Center — By appointment only

Food and clothing pantry; call Ballard at 785-842-0729 to make an appointment.More information

Mobile Pantries

The Cruising Cupboard

Mobile pantry that goes to different areas of Douglas County.

Schedule can be found at this link.

Harvesters Mobile Food Pantry

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 19th and Harper streets

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and distribution begins at 10 a.m. on scheduled dates.

Schedule can be found at this link.