Friendly with children... Call the police!
By TLChimes
@TLChimes (4822)
United States
February 21, 2009 9:48pm CST
A lot of parents go on alert when "strangers" or acquaintances become friendly with their kids. I understand why. The world is scary and so are the people in it.
But we can't just teach the kids to ignore everyone but the people we know well. They would NEVER leave home and well, that would cramp my old age years.
So where is the line? How much attention is ok? What kind of attention is ok? How do you handle people you are unsure of?
How do we, as parents, avoid over protecting our kids and making them unbalanced?
Now, I have always taught my kids a balanced approach but I would love to hear your thoughts.
I teach the kids to yell "Not My Mommy (or daddy)" if someone tries to take them from a public place. I told them to yell "FIRE" if they needed help and the other wasn't working.
I watch the middle aged fella who is at the park with no kids. I write down if he goes to his car and sits watching the kids. (I won't tell you what they like to do to themselves in the car)
I have no real issues with the innocent folks who are just trying to talk to the kids about the weather, their new shoes, or their little brother. I don't care if another mother helps my kid.
I do care if someone I don't know tries to touch my children anywhere that is covered by a bathing suit. Or tries to pick up my child and is a stranger. There's more but I think you get the idea.
2 people like this
2 responses
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
22 Feb 09
I've read your responses to this excellent post and I think that everyone has covered the basics. One extra thing for them to do IS TO BITE THEIR ATTACKER IN PLACES WHERE THERE IS BARE SKIN - HANDS ETC. PUNCH AND KICK IN PRIVATE PARTS TOO. NO ONE IS TO TOUCH YOU ON YOUR BOSY ANYWHERE THAT BRIEF/PANTY COVERS UNLESS YOUR MOTHER IS PRESENT OR DADDY.
All of this has to be done at an age appopriate level. We use to act out scenarios with our children when they were over 6 or 7 years and help them to act appropriately and sensibly if it happened. Good parenting topic.
1 person likes this
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
22 Feb 09
there is a need for us to make our children understand the risks that abound nowadays. thus, they must never go along with strangers nor will they eat any food given by strangers.
just like you, tlchimes, i do not forbid my kids talking to people about the common things in life. but, whenever i notice that they are talking to somebody i do not know, i will always come to the rescue and listen in to what they are talking about. if the topic is fine with me, i will just let them talk on and i might even join in the conversation.
at most times though, strangers will be asking for directions like how to get to the main road or if they know a certain person in the neighborhood.
