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