What Abuse Does To Your Brain - Teen Moms

 

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Partners with Law Enforcement to Find Missing Children Since 1984

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is America's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children from abduction, exploitation, and abuse. Founded in 1984 by the U.S. Congress, NCMEC serves as the national clearinghouse for issues related to missing and sexually exploited children, handling cases from infancy through age 20. It partners with law enforcement, families, educators, and tech companies to recover missing kids, combat online exploitation, and prevent future harm.

Their official website is https://www.missingkids.org where you can find resources, report concerns, search for missing children posters, and access prevention tools.

Key Ways NCMEC Helps Families and Moms

As a mom, knowing about NCMEC can feel like having an extra layer of protection. Here's what stands out:

24/7 Hotline: Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) for immediate help if a child is missing or you suspect exploitation. It's available around the clock.

CyberTipline: Report suspected online child sexual exploitation (like grooming, child sexual abuse material, sextortion, or trafficking) at report.cybertip.org or through their site. This is crucial in today's digital world.

Prevention Resources:

NetSmartz — Free online safety education with videos, games, and lessons for kids 5-17, plus tips for parents on talking about tech safety.

KidsSmartz — Kid-focused abduction prevention lessons.

Family safety guides on spotting signs of abuse, online dangers, and building open communication.

Search Tools: Interactive maps and posters for missing children, including location-based searches (e.g., within 50 miles of your area).

Take It Down service: Helps remove non-consensual intimate images of minors from the internet.

Sobering but Empowering Statistics

NCMEC's data highlights the real risks many families face, especially with online threats growing rapidly.

In 2024:

• NCMEC assisted with 29,568 reports of missing children and helped recover 91% of them.
• Of those missing cases, about 1 in 7 were likely linked to child sex trafficking.
• The CyberTipline received 20.5 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation (down from 36.2 million in 2023 due to changes in reporting, but still representing 29.2 million incidents when adjusted).
• Child sex trafficking reports rose 55% from 2023 (to 26,823 reports), partly due to new laws requiring platforms to report more types of exploitation.

Trends into 2025 show escalation in certain areas:

Sharp increases in reports of online enticement, financial sextortion (especially targeting teens), and AI-related exploitation.

Child sex trafficking reports surged dramatically (e.g., over 113,500 in 2025 in some updates, a 323% increase in certain periods compared to prior years), reflecting better detection rather than necessarily more cases—but it underscores how much happens online, often involving known people or grooming.

These numbers remind us that while most missing kids are runaways or family abductions, exploitation (especially online) ties into vulnerabilities like being undocumented, homelessness, foster care, or social media use. Many cases involve subtle grooming rather than stranger danger.

What Moms Can Do Right Now

1. Download NetSmartz resources and talk to your kids about online boundaries—make it ongoing, not one big talk.
2. Bookmark the hotline and CyberTipline.
3. Check NCMEC's site regularly for updates, especially on emerging threats like sextortion or AI-generated content.
4. Share verified info: Avoid hype; stick to NCMEC's facts to focus energy on real prevention.

NCMEC's work shows hope—thousands of kids are recovered every year, and awareness saves lives. If you're ever worried, don't hesitate to reach out to them. You're not alone in this. Hug your little ones, stay vigilant, and know organizations like NCMEC are fighting alongside you. For the latest, head straight to missingkids.org.

On Learning Something Troubling about a Family Member, Friend

When the "Invisible" Becomes Unbearable: Reclaiming Our Sanity in 2026

If you’re reading this while hiding in the bathroom for three minutes of peace, or if you just stared at a pile of laundry and felt an actual wave of nausea—I see you.

Lately, the air feels heavy, doesn't it? We’ve moved past the "we’re all in this together" vibe of the pandemic years and into something much more... complicated. We’re in 2026, and while the world has "returned to normal," mothers are still carrying a backpack full of bricks that nobody else seems to notice.

The Myth of the "Helper"

We’ve been talking a lot in our community about the mental load. You know what I mean—it’s not just doing the dishes; it’s knowing the dishes need to be done, remembering it’s "wacky sock day" at school, and noticing the toddler is out of socks all at the same time.

I recently read a story about a couple who almost called it quits over a dishwasher. It wasn't about the forks; it was about the fact that he was "helping" while she was managing. In 2026, we’re done with "helpers." We need co-managers. If you feel like you're raising a "big kid" instead of partnering with an adult, the resentment isn't a character flaw—it’s a signal that the equity in your home is broken.

The "Make-or-Break" Year for Working Moms

For those of us balancing a career, this year feels like a tipping point. Workplaces are pushing for more "presence," but our families need our "essence." I’ve heard from so many of you who are saying, "This isn't working." Whether you’re pursuing a hybrid dream or building a business in the cracks of naptime, remember this: Grace is your greatest productivity tool. We are rejecting the "grind culture" that tells us to choose between being a "good" worker and a "good" mother. Happiness in 2026 isn't about perfection; it’s about "aligned struggle"—choosing the hard things that actually matter to us.

Finding Your "Village" (Even if You Have to Hire It)

The "Super-Parent" myth is officially dead. We can’t do this in isolation. This year, let’s normalize:

• The 30-minute win: If a messy house means you get a workout or a nap, let it stay messy.

• Radical Delegation: If you can afford to outsource it, do it. If you can’t, trade chores with a neighbor.

• Empathy over Villainizing: Let’s have the hard talks with our partners without making them the enemy. We’re all trying to navigate shifting roles that our parents never had to deal with.

A Note to the Mom Who is Fading

If you feel lost, if your dreams feel like they’re on a shelf gathering dust—don’t wait for the "perfect" time. Build that business through the tantrums. Write that page while the kids are at practice.

2026 is about sustainable success, not perfect outcomes. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be exhausted. But let’s make sure we’re not just crying in the dark. Let’s turn that exhaustion into a boundary.

Tell me in the comments: What is one thing you’re "retiring" this year to protect your peace?

From Diapers to Dreams: Embracing a New Chapter of Motherhood

Hello, dear mothers!

As I sit here reflecting on my journey, I can’t help but marvel at how far I’ve come. From the days of changing diapers and school breaks to watching my four sons chart their paths in the world, it's been a wild ride! Now, I find myself on the brink of a new chapter, with my youngest son graduating from high school in 2026. Time truly flies!

It’s a bittersweet emotion, isn’t it? While I feel pride bursting in my heart for my sons—one is pursuing filmmaking in college, the oldest is bravely driving an 18-wheeler, and my second oldest is serving as a Marine in Japan—I also recognize the challenges that come with watching them grow. It makes me think of all the heartfelt prayers I've sent up and those who have been supportive along the way, asking God to guide them and protect them in a world that can be overwhelming.

Life as a mother is a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of joy, anxiety, hope, and love. We must lift each other up, reminding ourselves of the strength we possess and, more importantly, the grace bestowed upon us. 

In moments of doubt, I find comfort in the wisdom of scripture. Here are a few uplifting verses to share:

• Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
• Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
• Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

In my journey, I can’t help but think of a remarkable woman from the Bible: Jochebed, the mother of Moses. In a time when Pharaoh decreed that all Hebrew boys be killed, Jochebed chose to protect and nurture her son, trusting in God’s plan. Her faith and bravery led to the salvation of not just her child, but the deliverance of the people of Israel. Jochebed’s story reminds us that being a mother often means facing societal pressures and fears head-on, trusting in the strength God provides.

To all you mothers out there, whether you’re in the thick of toddler tantrums or managing the chaos of adulthood, remember that your journey is unique and precious. Celebrate every milestone, big or small!

Let’s be encouraging to one another, sharing our struggles and triumphs in this beautiful calling of motherhood. There may be days filled with tears and uncertainty—but joy is also just around the corner if we keep our eyes on our children and our faith in God.

As we move forward into 2026, let’s continue to uplift each other and cherish the amazing gift of motherhood. We’ve come so far, and while the challenges ahead might feel daunting, we also have an incredible legacy of love and strength.

Keep praying, keep hoping, and always remember: you are not alone in this journey.

With all my love,

Nicholl