Safety of our children
This message will be short. With Mother’s Day just past and Father’s Day coming, I felt the need to comment on the safety of our children.
Are you as frustrated and angry as I am when I read the newspaper or hear on the news that another child has been abused, neglected, or lost? Nothing hurts as much as knowing a child has been injured in any way by a vicious adult.
Don’t be naive when it comes to children–to think that telling children not to go with strangers, not to talk to strangers, or similar familiar warnings is going to keep them safe. Don’t be mistaken that a youngster will actually be able to withstand the draw of a charming stranger, even if this child answers all your questions correctly about not talking or going with strangers.
Until children have the capacity to discern danger and the ability to take cautionary measures against such danger, they cannot protect themselves or even evade a sinister person. You have to be there to see to their safety. Some children may have this ability by age 10, some not quite so young.
I refer all parents to one of my favorite authors, Gavin De Becker. He wrote a wonderful book about the need to be diligent regarding the safety of our children - Protecting the Gift–Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane). This book will help give you insight in protecting your child. Also, please visit the www.WPSN.net section on safety for our children for more information.
