In light of recent events, it’s a good time to assess what your children know or don’t know about protecting themselves from predators.
Military families move a lot and we're introduced to new people all the time. The ‘Stranger Danger’ focused on years ago isn’t the only threat. Kids are more at risk around those who know them. This means family, friends and the people we entrust them with for activities.
As parents, we need to educate ourselves and more than that, be realistic about who is in our life and monitor their level of interest in our child(ren). I believe in listening to that nagging feeling we all get at times about people or situations.
Parental vigilance is partially credited for the decrease in caregiver sexual abuse over a 17-year span, which is great news.
This article offers some guidelines on speaking with your children against the backdrop of the Penn State case.
If coaches teach hard work, perseverance and discipline, then it's up to parents to teach equally complex lessons — about what kinds of touches are appropriate (yes to high-fives) and which are not (no to pats on the posterior — or worse). A simplified standard: no touches where your bathing suit covers. Yet many parents are reluctant to start a conversation for fear they'll scare their children.
It can be a daunting subject and you do want to make sure you’re communicating at an age appropriate level for comprehension. How have you tackled this subject with your children?
