Beyond stranger danger
Stranger danger doesn’t cut it.
Sometimes it’s not strangers – and kids don’t always know they are in danger.
Daily we read about incidents that show the darker side of human. Sexual abuse makes an everlasting impact on the young brains. Children get trapped in self doubt as if it was their fault.
The likelihood of this happening to a child is thankfully rare. But, I am not into gambling – especially when it comes to my children.
Stranger abductions are rare. Your children are much more likely to be abused by someone they know.
That’s why teaching stranger danger simply doesn’t cut it. Tell your children that no one should hurt them or touch their private parts – even people they know.
If you are prepared, you can surely teach some life saving things to your young one. Prevention is anytime better than cure. Let us see top 5 things you can do for safer childhood of your sweetheart.
1. Throw out personalized stuff:
The backpacks and wrist bands with name are a serious danger. Trust me!
Strangers can easily know the child’s name and the children tend to believe the person calling their name as they think they are their parents’ friends.
2. Have a code word
Something not so usual should be the family code word. You have to train your kid to ask for it whenever someone other than family wants to pick them from school/tuitions or offers a ride in car.
Stranger abductions are rare. Your children are much more likely to be abused by someone they know.
That’s why teaching stranger danger simply doesn’t cut it. Tell your children that no one should hurt them or touch their private parts – even people they know.
If your children are at a friend’s house and something is making them feel unsafe, they can call you and use the code word.
If you are in public and there is a safety threat – you can use the word to warn your children to exit quickly or get down.
3. Look for mom with kid/kids
Tell your children that if they are lost or are feeling unsafe – find a mom with kids. Often a police officer or a friendly shop clerk are not at your children’s disposal.
Helping them delineate who might be safe beforehand can save critical seconds when they are in danger.
4. Scream “Who are you? “
How many times have you seen kids struggling in an adult’s arms and walked past them? Kids have tantrums all the time and we are immune to them.
Teach your children to scream out things that would alarm others.
Some good ones might be:
Who are you? Help!
Leave me alone! I don’t know you!
Where’s my mom and dad? Help!
5. Be destructive to draw attention :
Tell your children that if a stranger tries to take them – all manners are out the window. Tell them that they are allowed to hit, scream and make a scene.
Give them some suggestions. If they are in a store, tell them to knock things off the shelf. Knocking things over will get the attention of more people who will then take a closer look at what is going on.
You might think all this talk about doom and gloom is unnecessary. You might think that the chances are so small it isn’t even worth talking about.
You are right. The chances are small. And perhaps it isn’t worth talking about.
But, what I can teach my kids in 30 minutes – might make the difference between life and death. And for that – it’s worth it.
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