Proper nurturing helps a lot when it comes to keeping your children safe on the streets. A few statements from Ms. Latisha Lister, the family therapist at Child & Adolescent Services, can give parents insight on how to keep their children safe in today's society.

"Open communication with your children opens many doors, and is very important in any kind of relationship. If you don't know who your child's best friends are, then that can be an indicator of the strength of your relationship with your child. Knowing who your child keeps company with allows you to be aware of who they is being influenced by, and better able to address any potentially negative influences," stated Ms. Lister.

Some of Ms. Lister's advice included making sure that your house rules are based on a strong moral and ethical framework, and that your child knows those rules. When your child has friends over, it's good to have your child explain to them the house rules before they get there.

Get to know your child's friends' parents. You will be able to see how these parents raise their children, and can lay out the rules for your child when they want to go over to their friends' house.

If you do not like your child's friend, the worse thing to do would be to ban them from having contact; as it often only encourages secrets, and lying. It is better to have an open dialogue with your child about your concerns about their friends and encourage them to spend time together where you can monitor their interactions.

"Proper parenting isn't just waking up one day when your child is a teenager, and is showing disrespect to you. Neither is it waiting until your child gets into more trouble than they can handle. Proper parenting must include active involvement in your child's life from birth, and focus on teaching morals, values and a sense of community involvement," noted Ms. Lister.

"Another thing parents should know is that even if they're a single parent, they shouldn't hesitate to tap into their network of family and friends to assist in raising their children. Research has highlighted that having access to adults who consistently provide guidance, understanding and support is vital for healthy emotional and social development. It stands to reason then that having an abundance of positive attachments only further improves a child's chances."

On the issue of privacy, Ms. Lister explained a child's privacy is a privilege, not a right. She further clarified that parents have the right to know what their child is doing. Examples include monitoring their child's cell phone, FaceBook page and other Internet usage; or searching their room and belongings if drug use is suspected. It is important however, to let their child know that they are doing that, in order to maintain honesty in their relationship. Trust is a big issue in most families, and in order for the child and adult to effectively cohabitate together they should find ways to build and maintain trust.

If a parent feels that they are struggling in raising their children, they should seek out parents who are successfully raising their children to use as a role model. If they are experiencing significant challenges however, parents should seek out services from qualified mental health professionals.

"If you're a parent who is dealing with a teenager, then you must first know that the teen years are very hard on everyone," Ms. Lister observed.

"The teenage years are a stage in which a child is getting to know themselves. This may include testing the limits of their parents to see how much they can get away with. They still seek guidance from people they trust, but are struggling with becoming more independent. Parents should be open to engage in discussions about their reasons for certain rules, and to be flexible about less important matters. It is important however to maintain one's rules and guidelines based on their own moral codes."

"Now if you're a teenager, I would encourage you to use your time wisely. To help you discover what you want to be when you're older, think about what interests you. Explore who you are, and who you would like to be. Learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others, and learn to make better choices. Be open to advice from older people in your life who are making positive choices," Ms. Lister advised.

"Don't be in a rush to grow up, because being an adult isn't as easy as it seems," she concluded.