Protecting Your Children
As much as we’d all like to trust everyone that comes into contact with our children, whether casually or regularly, we know that we must always be on the alert to things or situations that might spell unsafe conditions.
Below is a checklist of items parents should keep in mind when sending your kids out into the world:
- Remind your children that bad people don’t look one way or the other; they should be alert to any stranger asking them to do things that are uncomfortable.
- And unfortunately, that strangers are not the only ones who could potentially ask them to engage in inappropriate behavior. They need to be reminded of that, too.
- Practice with your child ways he/she should walk to and from a friend’s home and school.
- Have a buddy system. Make sure your child always goes places with a friend.
- Check with your school principal to find out if you will be notified if your child does not report to school. If there is no plan in place to ensure this happening, find out who to contact within the school district to make sure this happens at your child’s school.
- Teach your child to whistle a tune. If you and your child get separated, use the whistle to find each other.
- Teach your child a “safe word.” What this means is you and your child need to have a word only the two of you would know so that in the event they are approached by someone they do not know with the story that you are not able to pick them up and this person wants to take your child to you, this person must know the “secret word” in order for your child to trust that you actually sent this person for them. It doesn’t have to be a complicated word, just something unusual enough that only the two of you will know. But also make sure that it is not too hard for your child to remember.
- Most states have sex offender registries on their websites now. Consult this resource to see if there are any child predators living near your home or your child’s school.
- Lastly, be involved in your child’s school and in their lives. Arm yourself with information. It can help you protect your family.
Information published on The Rainbow Babies website is not a substitute for proper medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Disclaimer: The Rainbow Babies provides sample contracts and legal/social health articles for informational purposes only—please do not consider it as legally-binding advice of any kind.
