Stranger Danger: Did You Teach Your Kids How to Stay Safe?

Everyone knows how trusting children are when they’re very young. However, in today’s world we have to teach our children about trust and whom they can trust. We need to teach them about stranger danger. No matter what their age, these helpful hints may come in handy when having that conversation.

Realize that you can’t relinquish your role as your child’s protector and teacher to anyone else. You are their parent, and they look to you for guidance. Teaching them to be aware of potential dangers with people is not any different than teaching them not to walk out in front of moving vehicles.

Use a matter-of-fact tone when teaching your children about stranger danger. Don’t make your child fearful, but make them prepared. Pay attention to your child’s demeanor when you discuss these issues with them. If they are becoming agitated, change the subject and the way you explain things.

Help your children understand about “personal space” as well as the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching. Tell them that adults, as a general rule, should not touch any part that is covered by a bathing suit unless it is a doctor, nurse, or a parent. They also need to know that if they ever feel uncomfortable when someone is near them, it’s OK if they tell an adult “no”, especially when it comes to their body.

Teach your child what to do if they become separated from you in a store. Tell them to go to the front of the store or find someone with a name tag on to help them find you. A mother with other children would also be a good choice, as would a police officer.

Instill in your child the belief that they have a right to be safe. No one has the right to make a child feel threatened or unsafe.

Help them listen to their instincts and to act upon them if things don’t seem right or if they ever feel threatened. Self-preservation is a strong instinct; help them recognize it and act quickly when they feel it.

When you’re out in public, watch your children and notice the people around them. Stay in contact with them through listening and talking with them. You do not want to seem paranoid; however, the more aware you are of your child’s location and who’s around them, the less likely you’ll have to go searching for them.

Our children are a treasure, and deserve to be treated as such. They are a gift that we want to protect and help keep innocent as long as possible. However, we can’t let our guard up. Children are victims of stranger danger regularly, which is why we need to teach our children about trusting their own instincts, and us as parents, to keep them safe.

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