OT: Stranger Danger

[Dopey19]

Although DH and I have been talking to our DD4 about strangers, etc. I want to reinforce our voices with either a storybook or video. I'm hoping some of the Dis' Moms & Dads can recommend something for me? I want to get the message across but I don't want to scare her. I think its a fine line between understand that there are bad people in the world but not making her become introverted. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks

 

[HLDisney]

This is the one that was recommended to me by other parents and my DD likes it.

http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Safe...ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1269441238&sr=8-1

They also have one on Internet Safety that I also got and it's really helped my DD to understand about not sharing personal info online.

Helen

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Not sure if this will be of any help, but our local news station just did a parenting blog on this topic.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/parenting&id=7342259

 

[princessmom29]

I saw an interview with John Walsh recently on this subject, and just wanted to add something that he pointed out. He said that we as parents need to make sure thatwe make clear to our small children that soemone does not have to be a stranger to be dangerous. Many, many more children are abused by someone they know and trust than by a random stranger. He said the we should make clear to our children that if anyone tries to get them to do anything they are not comfortable with, the same rules apply. Run, scream, tell a parent or other adult what is happening. I think he made a good point and it was not someything i had previously thought about presenting in this way.

 

[starsweeper]

I saw an interview with John Walsh recently on this subject, and just wanted to add something that he pointed out. He said that we as parents need to make sure thatwe make clear to our small children that soemone does not have to be a stranger to be dangerous. Many, many more children are abused by someone they know and trust than by a random stranger. He said the we should make clear to our children that if anyone tries to get them to do anything they are not comfortable with, the same rules apply. Run, scream, tell a parent or other adult what is happening. I think he made a good point and it was not someything i had previously thought about presenting in this way.

I agree. My DC's preschool had a teacher in another room accused of sexual misconduct (she was cleared but no longer works there). When that happened we talked to our DC about where and how people should or should not touch them. We did not specify strangers because most people are abused by someone they know. My DC are 3.5 years old and very open, friendly to everyone they meet, so we felt it was time to open this discussion.

 

[Dopey19]

Thank you for all the great advice! I will be sure not to specify strangers; thats a really good thought. I have had the discussion about touching in private areas but like previously mentioned about not stating just strangers, I'm afraid I'll overlook something or present it incorrectly. It is such a delicate topic but so very important.

 

[zoemurr]

Thank you for all the great advice! I will be sure not to specify strangers; thats a really good thought. I have had the discussion about touching in private areas but like previously mentioned about not stating just strangers, I'm afraid I'll overlook something or present it incorrectly. It is such a delicate topic but so very important.

going to point out the "stranger" thing. We have to talk to strangers every day, and if they are lost and you tell them to go to a police officer, or CM, they are a stranger as well. Very mixed message.

Read the book "Protecting the Gift" by Gavin DeBecker. Amazing, common sense type of info. (For example he explains that you should tell kids to find another Mommy if they are lost because a Mommy will always help you. (Statistically it is very rare for a woman to hurt a child, especially a mother.) The chances of them finding a police officer, or understanding who works at a store is tough for someone who can only see knees.

Anyway.. the book will make you feel a lot better about things and give you concrete info to share with the kids.

 

[Chiker9]

Hi,

I just wanted to echo the other posts about warning children that anyone can be dangerous not just strangers. I am a victim advocate in a Child Advocacy Center and 90% of the children we see are abused by a relative, close family friend or someone that they know. Kids are even abused by other children so it is very important to let them know that their bodies belong to them and to have a plan of action if anyone tries to touch them in a not okay way. Two very good books for young children are: It' s My Body and My Body Belongs To Me. If you have a Child Advocacy Center in your area, they may also have a Personal Safety Program that you and your child can do together.

 

[jmartinez1895]

One thng my husband and I have done in the past is to have a person that our kids did not know help us. After many talks and books we took our kids to the park, like normal and then we sat on a bench and had our friend come and try to talk to them ( we have done this 3 times as we have 3 kids a differnt ages). Our friend would use the lost puppy story, offer them money to help and one of mine LEFT with him. It was good to know so that we could talk more and work on the problem. With my other two, one of them just ran away and came and told us and the other one told the guy that he should ask mom or dad, and pointed us out.

 

[clori]

besides the dvd by John Walsh I have a two video set ABCs of safety. Of course it is probably 1 DVD if it is still made. I think besides stranger danger it goes over safety for things like not walking right in front of a person using a swing. My local library still has the videos so maybe check there.

 

[Carriemel]

I had this book growing up...

http://www.amazon.com/Never-Talk-Strangers-Irma-Joyce/dp/0375849645/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269534386&sr=1-1

It's called "Never Talk to Strangers" by Irma Joyce. If you click on the link, you're able to look at the first few pages.

It's absolutely age-appropriate for a 4-year old.