Every minute a child is reported missing. Today more and more children become victims to unthinkable crimes. In as much as we would want to preserve our child’s innocence of the crimes of today we need to ensure child safety by arming them with knowledge, confidence and a plan they can rely on.

Being a mother of 3 it’s hard to rest easy when any one of your children are outside nowadays. I do however take comfort in the fact that we have discussed possible scenarios they can act upon. We sometimes feel so complacent in our secure worlds that we can’t imagine anyone penetrating our protective bubble. The sad fact is that it is possible and it does happen.

Not every scenario can be covered but when you place trust in your children by sharing knowledge and being open to their questions they’re one step ahead. I want to share the ways that we practice child safety and hopefully you can apply it to your own families or get some ideas of your own.

children-playing

1) Knowledge gives them confidence

The one thing that can help your child is to make them aware of the possibilities out there. Some parents are not confident in talking to their children about sex but this is at the top of the list of crimes against children. How can they know to fight back when they don’t know what’s happening? It’s the hardest talk you’ll ever have with your child but it is necessary.

Now you might be thinking what if they’re too young. You don’t need to be descriptive to get your point across. The easiest way to relay this is by letting your child know that areas covered by shirts and shorts are hands  off. Even at a young age children can feel uncomfortable and that is a tell tale sign which they should recognize and listen to. With older children you can discuss in more detail what touches are appropriate and which aren’t.

2) Plan for every scenario possible

By discussing what to do in different scenarios you’re giving your children a plan they can rely on. Something that will hopefully pop into their head if such a situation were to occur.

In most cases, children are unable to act because they don’t know what’s happening, they don’t know what to do and they are overcome with fear. You lessen these when you talk to your child about what they can do. Alarm signals go off because they can possibly identify a situation for what it might be.

The reality of it is that children are vulnerable to these situations but we can make them stronger and confident. Studies have shown that shy and lonesome children are often the target for kidnapping. These are children that most likely do not speak up or are too frightened to stand up for themselves.

With a plan, they have a fighting chance. Read more about planning for different scenarios.

3) Trust in the decisions they make

In the end, you’ll have to trust your child to make the right decisions and that they take away with them a sense of responsibility for themselves and options they can rely on in any given situation. Reminders every now and then can’t hurt. Checking in with them every once in awhile and asking how things are will create an open bridge of communication.

What are some ways that you practice child safety? I’d love to hear how and what ways are also effective in teaching your children to stay safe.