Every parent has that one fear that keeps them up at night—whether it’s the worry about choking, drowning, abduction, or something else entirely. These thoughts can be overwhelming and often lead to anxiety about how to keep our kids safe.
When my friend Lisa was a single mother to her tiny 3-year-old, she creatively approached the topic of safety with a playful twist. She invented the “911 Game” to help her daughter learn essential safety skills. Here’s how it unfolded:
Lisa: “Hello, 911, what’s your emergency?”
3-year-old: “Um, my mommy!” (Her humor always made us smile.)
Lisa: “Is something wrong with your mommy? Do you know her name?”
3-year-old: (would concoct a silly emergency like “she fell down!”)
Lisa: “Okay, what’s your address, little girl?”
This fun method not only made learning enjoyable but also ensured her daughter understood vital information, such as her address and phone number, for emergencies. It’s a clever way to equip children with the knowledge they may need if something goes wrong.
Many parents unintentionally instill fear in their children with cautionary tales like “Don’t talk to strangers,” which often misses the mark. In reality, around 90% of harm to children is perpetrated by someone they know. With millions of reported abuse cases annually, it’s crucial to teach kids about boundaries and trust. If a child feels uncomfortable about a hug from a family member, for example, it’s important to respect that feeling instead of forcing affection.
Beyond the topics of abduction and abuse, what about teaching kids what to do if they get lost? Shockingly, statistics reveal that 7 out of 10 children will experience getting lost at some point. Instead of the outdated advice to look for a police officer, children now should learn to seek out a mom with kids, as they are often the safest option. It’s also important for kids to memorize their parent or caregiver’s name and phone number.
Let’s prioritize empowering our children today by educating them about safety without inducing fear. Here are some key principles to share, inspired by the fantastic safety educator, Amanda Thompson from Safe Kids Academy:
- Encourage kids to listen to their “uh-oh feeling.”
- Promote the idea of “check first” before heading somewhere unfamiliar.
- Reinforce that they are “the Boss of their Body” and nobody has the right to harm them.
- Practice their name, address, and phone number so they can recall it easily.
- Explain that safe adults don’t typically ask children for help.
- Empower them to say no if something feels off; politeness can wait.
- Remind them that private parts are just that—private.
- If they get lost, they should freeze and yell or seek help from a mom with kids.
These conversations don’t have to be scary; with the right approach, they can be empowering. Expect your child to have many questions, and view this as an ongoing dialogue rather than a one-time chat. By following these tips, you can help keep your kids safe, healthy, and happy.
For more engaging parenting content, you might find our other articles, such as the one on at-home insemination kits, quite interesting. Also, check out BabyMaker’s at-home insemination kit for more insights. For additional resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Cleveland Clinic’s guide.
In conclusion, equipping our children with knowledge and skills is essential in helping them navigate the world safely. By fostering an environment of trust and open communication, we can shield them from fear while preparing them for real-life situations.
Keyphrase: talking to kids about safety
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]