“Stranger Danger”

Annora asked me the other day if a pack of people that were close by were strangers. I replied by asking her if she knew them. She shook her head “no” and she came to the realization on her own. I was pleased that she knew the true definition of a stranger but then she asked a very interesting question. She asked me if we were strangers to those people. I replied “yes” and was impressed with her question. She was wrapping her mind around the true essence of strangers. Ben let her know that it is ok to say hello to a stranger but that is where the conversation ends. He went into a dialogue with her about the appropriateness of a stranger and how we act around strangers.

I asked her later that evening what to do if a stranger approached her. I asked her what she would do if a stranger tried to take her and if a stranger offered her a gift or candy. I was SHOCKED that she didn’t have all the right answers. She said she would politely take the candy but not eat it, she would  run away if a stranger approached her, and if a stranger tried to take her she said she would cry. We clearly needed to have some serious conversations with her regarding the ins and outs of strangers.

I decided to Google stranger Danger and I found 6 tips that are EXTREMELY important and could possibly save your child’s life if they were faced with a dangerous stranger.

1. Don’t personalize your child’s items with their name.
2. Have a code word that anyone your child would know could recite to them to let them know they are a safe person to go with.
3. If followed, run in the opposite direction of the car.
4. When in trouble, look for a mom with kids.
5. Teach your children to SCREAM, “Who are you?”
6. Teach your kids to be destructive in order to draw attention.

We have started to go over these “Rules” with Annora one at a time. My hope is that she never has to use these tips. But…if she is approached in an unsafe way, she has some skills to use and you have set him/her up for success.