Mommy and the Joyful Three 01/11/11
This past week, my oldest daughter made it clear to us that we have not put enough focus on safety and stranger danger. She went up to strangers with no reservation and even gave some of them hugs. It’s truly sad that we need to be this concerned, but at that moment, my husband and I decided it was time to go to our favorite parenting source for some much needed wisdom, the Bible.
In Deuteronomy 4:9, it says:
In the past, I believed it was best to shelter my children from all the evils and wrongs in the world. Now, I know the difference between keeping them informed and telling them too much. God does not want our children to be unsafe and that is why we are given knowledge to help prevent bad situations from happening.
Children need to understand how to react to strangers. They need to know that not every person they come across will be a person who serves God or has a good heart. Teach them what to do if they ever get lost or end up in a scary situation.
Recently, my husband and I sat down with our children to share some information about strangers and their safety. Here are some of the highlights you might find useful in your family:
Set a password.
This is a safety measure learned from my own childhood. If an adult approaches your child, have your child ask them for the “password”. The password can be any word that you and your children will remember. Make sure the password is a family secret. If a person tells your child that they were told to pick them up and they don’t know the password, then your child will know that it is not true. Be sure to change the password if it is ever leaked to anyone outside the family.
Establish OK outfits.
My daughter loved learning about this; we told her a list of people that are OK to approach if she is lost. Looking for uniforms, such as the ones police, cashiers, or security guards wear, will teach them to not go up to just anyone if they ever get lost.
Yell and tell.
Teach your child to use their voice if approached by a stranger. We teach our children to scream “stranger danger” as loud as they can if someone scares them or attempts to take them. Also, tell them to let an adult know if someone did approach them or if someone made them feel uncomfortable.
Teach your child need-to-know info.
This can be done by making up a rhyme, a song, or using repetition. Make a game of it and when they can repeat it back to you give them a prize.
Show them the magic numbers: 911.
Repeat the numbers with your children and show them how to dial it on the phone key pad. You can also program 911 into your cell phone or home phone and show your child only one button to push if needed. Just make sure they know only to use this number in case of an emergency.
Label with name and number.
Put your child’s name and phone number on the inside of their backpacks and jackets instead of the outside of items. When it’s on the inside, they can show a safe person if they are lost or when it is needed.
Recognize stranger danger.
Explain to your kids that they are never to go near a stranger’s care, even if they are promised candy or something else they may want. Children can be easily persuaded; so it is important to talk about potential situations such as this. Instruct them to run and tell a safe adult about the person.
Ultimately, God protects our children. It is important to have faith, but it is equally as important to exercise wisdom. As parents, it’s our jobs to impart this knowledge to our children.
What are some of your methods in keeping your kids safe? Have you ever had a moment that made you rethink those safety measures?
Keeping Your Kids Safe
This past week, my oldest daughter made it clear to us that we have not put enough focus on safety and stranger danger. She went up to strangers with no reservation and even gave some of them hugs. It’s truly sad that we need to be this concerned, but at that moment, my husband and I decided it was time to go to our favorite parenting source for some much needed wisdom, the Bible.
In Deuteronomy 4:9, it says:
Don't be careless. Instead, be very careful. Don't forget the things your eyes have seen. As long as you live, don't let them slip from your mind. Teach them to your children and their children after them.
In the past, I believed it was best to shelter my children from all the evils and wrongs in the world. Now, I know the difference between keeping them informed and telling them too much. God does not want our children to be unsafe and that is why we are given knowledge to help prevent bad situations from happening.
Children need to understand how to react to strangers. They need to know that not every person they come across will be a person who serves God or has a good heart. Teach them what to do if they ever get lost or end up in a scary situation.
Recently, my husband and I sat down with our children to share some information about strangers and their safety. Here are some of the highlights you might find useful in your family:
Set a password.
This is a safety measure learned from my own childhood. If an adult approaches your child, have your child ask them for the “password”. The password can be any word that you and your children will remember. Make sure the password is a family secret. If a person tells your child that they were told to pick them up and they don’t know the password, then your child will know that it is not true. Be sure to change the password if it is ever leaked to anyone outside the family.
Establish OK outfits.
My daughter loved learning about this; we told her a list of people that are OK to approach if she is lost. Looking for uniforms, such as the ones police, cashiers, or security guards wear, will teach them to not go up to just anyone if they ever get lost.
Yell and tell.
Teach your child to use their voice if approached by a stranger. We teach our children to scream “stranger danger” as loud as they can if someone scares them or attempts to take them. Also, tell them to let an adult know if someone did approach them or if someone made them feel uncomfortable.
Teach your child need-to-know info.
This can be done by making up a rhyme, a song, or using repetition. Make a game of it and when they can repeat it back to you give them a prize.
Show them the magic numbers: 911.
Repeat the numbers with your children and show them how to dial it on the phone key pad. You can also program 911 into your cell phone or home phone and show your child only one button to push if needed. Just make sure they know only to use this number in case of an emergency.
Label with name and number.
Put your child’s name and phone number on the inside of their backpacks and jackets instead of the outside of items. When it’s on the inside, they can show a safe person if they are lost or when it is needed.
Recognize stranger danger.
Explain to your kids that they are never to go near a stranger’s care, even if they are promised candy or something else they may want. Children can be easily persuaded; so it is important to talk about potential situations such as this. Instruct them to run and tell a safe adult about the person.
Ultimately, God protects our children. It is important to have faith, but it is equally as important to exercise wisdom. As parents, it’s our jobs to impart this knowledge to our children.
What are some of your methods in keeping your kids safe? Have you ever had a moment that made you rethink those safety measures?
About This Blogger
Erin James is a freelance writer, mother of three, and author of CBN.com's Mommy blog.