There's been a rash of attempted child abductions in our area, 5 to be exact. The first two in separate incidences were some guy in a truck trying to take 5 year old kids off their bikes (suspects in blue truck and green truck), then some guy trying to grab a 9 year old (silver truck) and the last two were trying to snatch 13 year old girls (red truck & dark SUV). This on the heels of an arrest in tiny town. A resident up the street was charged with an attempted abduction of a 14 year old girl after he tried to coax her into his car and upon her refusal grabbed her.
So I've had to have some pretty serious conversations with my daughter about strangers and how some people can be mean. This converstaion involved alot of "why?" and alot of stammering for the right words. In the past I've tried to not oversensationalise and freak her out so much she won't say high to the little old ladies at the ice cream shop but in light of the last month I've just opeted for Stranger Danger with a capital Scary. I'd rather she be traumitized than stolen. The old ladies can have hurt feelings, I don't care.
And what the hell? It's not like I've been just dismmissing attempted abductions in the past, there just haven't been many. 5 in one summer! I wonder if the police have checked out men who work at truck dealerships?
5 comments:
teach her to recoginize "good" people - to get in touch with her gut instinct. this will benefit her her whole life. if not, she will be afraid of the little old ladies. in the end, that fear of everyone could harm her.
also, teach her to yell, "i don't know this person" over and over again if someone tries and grabs her.
and finally, tell her to fight for her life. hit, kick, scream, punch, claw.
i've had this conversation with the boys many times.
i've also told them they are to tell me if someone violates them in any way, regardless of what that person might tell them they will do ie: harm me/them.
isn't it all just so much fun!!!
teach her to recoginize "good" people - to get in touch with her gut instinct. this will benefit her her whole life. if not, she will be afraid of the little old ladies. in the end, that fear of everyone could harm her.
also, teach her to yell, "i don't know this person" over and over again if someone tries and grabs her.
and finally, tell her to fight for her life. hit, kick, scream, punch, claw.
i've had this conversation with the boys many times.
i've also told them they are to tell me if someone violates them in any way, regardless of what that person might tell them they will do ie: harm me/them.
isn't it all just so much fun!!!
Yes, we've been practicing yelling "This isn't my mom/dad!" and the fighting part has been expressed too.
The instructions also include: If you're lost at the store find a police officer, a cashier or a grandma to help you find me.
I'm not sure how to explain a gut feeling to a four year old yet... it could be like the day I tried to explain optical illusions to her. It involved a whole lot of "Um, it's just becuase that's the way it is."
sigh.
I am trying to teach my daughter about stranger danger. it can be difficult to ride the line of what a stranger is when you are telling your child that a police man/woman is someone you can trust...can I trust them? could they be someone in a disguise? a very difficult be much needed discussion with kids.
I was just hoping I wouldn't have to have it yet. dangit they grow so fast.
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