| p>As our children grow and mature so do their | | | | present-and hang out with her friends. A walkie talkie |
| requests for more freedom...more space...and more | | | | goes with her even though I can stand outside my |
| individuality. But what's a parent to do when we live in | | | | door and see her walk the entire way to the pool. |
| a world filled with predators? | | | | Just call it "Mom's comfort tool." |
| When my son was seven he often asked, "Mom will | | | | But I've always wondered if I could add a little extra |
| you ever let me walk to school alone?" My answer | | | | protection when the kids are out of sight; like when |
| was always, "No, it's not safe." But every once in a | | | | they're attending school field trips, church events, or |
| while, he'd wear me down just enough to second | | | | visiting an amusement park. Then today, I found |
| guess myself-after all, kids his age were walking to | | | | something really neat and I can honestly say my mind |
| school with their buddies all the time! | | | | is a bit more at ease. |
| But just as soon as I'd consider giving the okay | | | | Nothing-and I do mean nothing-works better than |
| (thinking I could walk a block or so behind him and he'd | | | | teaching our children how to stay safe, how to spot an |
| never know) I'd receive a note from the school stating | | | | abductor, how to not avoid dangerous situations and |
| that there was a near child abduction and that we | | | | strangers, and how to attack if necessary, but this little |
| should keep a closer eye on our kids until the police | | | | gadget sure does give me a little more peace of mind. |
| catch the predator(s). | | | | It's called the AmberWatch®. It looks like an |
| Then my son hit fifth grade, and he asked again. "We | | | | ordinary, every day watch you'd pick up in the $10 aisle |
| are only three blocks from the school mom-m-m. | | | | of Wal-Mart® so it fits right in with our current |
| What could possibly happen? Please let me walk | | | | trends, but here's where it's different... |
| home with my friends!" He had a point, and he was 12 | | | | The AmberWatch® has two buttons that when |
| years old. But the thought of him walking home | | | | pushed simultaneously activates a personal alarm that |
| frightened me. So I came up with a solution. | | | | can be heard-are you ready for this-three football |
| "You can walk home so long as you take the walkie | | | | fields away! And should a predator attempt to break |
| talkie with you. You must turn it on as soon as you get | | | | the watch off the child a sensor wire is triggered and |
| out of school. Call me and let me know you're on your | | | | the alarm is instantly activated! |
| way home so that I don't worry. And if you're not | | | | Who should have an AmberWatch®? |
| home in 20 minutes, I'm coming after you." | | | | Every school aged child. Every latchkey kid. Every |
| He didn't like it. In fact, he was a bit embarrassed. But it | | | | toddler who likes to wander away from mommy |
| was either the walkie talkie or no going it alone! After | | | | (Once my daughter hid in car in the car dealership's |
| awhile, he and his friends didn't give the walkie talkie a | | | | inside floor model while we were negotiating price-talk |
| second thought. It actually became "cool" and he | | | | about frightening!). And every teenager who insists she |
| began taking it to the park two blocks away-when he | | | | (or he) is old enough to go on a date or to the movies |
| wanted to play basketball with the boys. | | | | with her buddies-at night! |
| But I always worried. What if someone abducted him? | | | | To learn more visit |
| That walkie talkie wasn't going to be enough. What if I | | | | UPDATE |
| couldn't get to him fast enough when he called for | | | | The watch wasn't as "loud" as I would have liked it to |
| help? | | | | have been. And my daughter soon found the bulkiness |
| Now my daughter is 12 years old and she's asking for | | | | of it annoying. However, for small children, it does add |
| a bit of freedom. She wants to walk two blocks away | | | | a bit of peace of mind when they're playing |
| to the neighborhood pool-where lifeguards are always | | | | outdoors--say in the back yard or the park. |