In these times of economic stress "There seems to be an increase in the severity of child abuse cases, including shaken baby syndrome," says Amy Wicks, a spokeswoman for the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome in Ogden, Utah. While this may be an extreme example of how stress is manifested, it does raise a caution for parents who are experiencing additional stress.

Here are a few suggestions I would like to offer all moms and dads:

• The first step is to realize that there IS an increased amount of tension and stress in your family. Acknowledging that fact and facing the reality that stress has the potential to create a volatile environment can be an important step to avoiding such a situation.

• If a baby's crying or toddler's screaming is triggering your negative emotions, be certain that the child is in a safe place and then simply walk into another room, away from the situation for a moment.
• Try to think rationally about the crying or screaming. It is a child's form of communication and is not intended to irritate you.
• When you notice frustration building, find a healthy way to release tension. Call a friend, go for a walk or engage in another form of physical activity.
• Consider approaching another mom in your neighborhood and trading a day where all the kids are at one home for a few hours while the other mom gets a break.
• We all know it's not a good idea to turn to alcohol or another substance in order to cope. That can simply magnify the problem. The idea is to minimize your stress with something positive.
• It is possible that one of you (you or your spouse) is feeling less stress. Look for ways to encourage and support each other.
• Prayer is always a good choice. Praying out loud is helpful in that it engages your heart, your mind, your voice, and your hearing. God knows how you feel and He cares.