Have you ever experienced the absolute horror when you are in a store and you lost your child? Or, your child lost you? Terror runs straight through your entire being! The what if's start flowing and, although we try not to, most of us fear the worst... Our child could have been stolen!
The majority of the time our fears are quickly calmed by the sudden appearance or discovery of our child. But, what if...
Every family fears a stranger taking your child. We all know that this is rare and the exception but it does happen. If even one child is taken in a lifetime, that is one too many.
Yet, we also fear teaching our children to be scared to death of every stranger they meet.
Is there a happy medium?
Child development will determine the steps to take. For example, if your child is very young, the chances of them being anyway other than your arms, is unlikely. But, your nine year old is prime for coming into contact with strangers.
We want our children to be safe at all times but we also don't want them to avoid strangers altogether.
Therefore, as a family, have a continued dialog regarding stranger danger. As the child gets older, modify and add on to your conversations.
Parenting Tips by Helene Goldnadel
- Always carry a recent photo
- When you are in large crowds, dress your children in bright clothes
- Tell your children to yell! If someone is trying to take your child, teach them to scream, "This is not my parent!"
- Make a rule about accidental separation. Tell your child that if you get separated, they are to stay put, you will find them.
- If your child is feeling frightened, teach them safety check points. For example: if they are walking home from school and begin to feel unsafe, show them safe neighbors that they can run to. If you are in a store and someone is "bugging" them, show them where the registers are.
- Remind them that most adults are wonderful people. Adults will normally help a child at any given moment. However, if an adult wants to take them somewhere without your permission or touches in a "yucky" way, tell your children that those adults may be unsafe and to get away quickly. As the parent, you will figure out the adult decisions to make after it happens. You simply want your child to get away.
- Assist your children in being polite to strangers. There are many incredible people for them to meet in their lives. However, if a stranger tries to give them anything, touch them or encourage them to go with them, get away from that stranger and tell an adult.
- Alert children to drivers asking directions. Adults should only ask other adults for directions (if, for example, your child is playing outside.) If a driver tries to ask directions or has something exciting in the car for the child to see, tell the child to run!
Parenting is the most all encompassing component of your life. It is a phenomenal responsibility. More than anything else in the world, we want to keep our children and family safe. But, we also want our children to be open to meeting new people. If we teach them safety and empowerment, as their child development stages emerge, they will feel comfortable with the safety precautions you have taught them.
