Keeping Our Children Safe
By Brenda Hyde
I wanted to touch base today about keeping our kids safe.
I've been seeing all kinds of gadgets and methods to keep
track of kids since there has been so much going on in the
news with missing children, but NOTHING can compare to
talking with our kids and laying down family rules.
Things
we may have done in the past simply aren't acceptable any
longer. I feel no child should be allowed in a front yard, on the
sidewalk, wandering the neighborhood or apartment complex
by themselves. This has become far too dangerous. The buddy
system should be in effect NO MATTER where they are. Better
yet, keep them where you can see them at all times. Yes, this
may seem overprotective to some, but if I can see my kids, then
I know where they are and what they are doing.
We don't
want to frighten our children, but instead slip in some fun activities that
revolved around learning to be safe. By keeping it fun you
will make an impression without making them afraid of everyone and
everything
around them.
-Let them dress up in big people clothes and make
up situations where they are either friends or strangers stopping
to talk.
-Give them boxes they can decorate as cars and act out
scenes where they run away and don't talk to strangers, but if it's
Grandma they can run up and hug her when she gets out of "the
car".
-The trick is to do this as an ongoing learning process, not
just once or twice. Draw pictures, talk about about what they feel
is "safe" or "good". Listen to them, and answer their questions.
We have to adopt a different mind set nowadays, and think daily
about the decisions we make when it comes to our kids and
grandkids. Love them, hug them, teach them the best you can
and watch over them! Don't assume that your neighborhood
is safe and take precautions. It only takes a few extra minutes.
About the Author
Brenda Hyde is a wife, mom to three children,freelance writer,
gardener and editor/owner of Old Fashioned Living.com.
