Parents - Fear Predators, Not Safety
As I mentioned in my last post, Pattie Fitzgerald, founder of Safely Ever After, Inc., was a member of the Safety Panel at Baby Celebration, L.A. Pattie was among those surprised and concerned by the lack of interest on the topic of safety among parents. Here's what she had to say.
Note to Parents: No Need to Fear "Safety"
If knowledge is power, why then are so many parents reluctant to learn how to keep their kids safe from child predators? In the last few weeks I set off to find the answer to this burning question after participating on a Q&A safety panel with other safety experts, including Nancy Davis, resident blogger for Safety4Kids, at an event in Los Angeles.
The answers I found aren't particularly earth-shattering nor surprising, but they did make me realize that most parents are still in the dark about the realities of childhood sexual abuse and subsequently, how they can protect their kids from becoming victimized by a molester's tricks.
So...why are parents reluctant to learn about predator safety? Here are a few of the most recurrent comments parents shared with me (and my responses!):
1. We've already talked to our kids about stranger-danger, so we've covered this.
The truth is 90 percent of childhood sexual abuse doesn't happen by a "stranger". More often than not, it's someone the kids know. And, equally important, most kids don't have a clear idea of who a stranger is. Anyone who smiles and introduces themselves to a child, perhaps offering an enticing treat of some kind, may no longer be viewed as a "stranger" by that child.
2. We don't want to scare our kids, so we'd rather not bring up the issue at all.
I hear ya on the first part of that, but not the second part! There are plenty of ways that parents can empower kids with safety skills and concepts using effective, kid-friendly language, AND without ever using scary stories or fear tactics. Parents teach their kids about fire safety, pool safety, even safety about crossing the street all the time. You haven't made the kids terrified of swimming pools or cars, you just gave them clear guidelines. It's the same with teaching kids about "good touch/bad touch".
3. It's going to be too depressing, we just don't want to "go there".
Denial isn't going to make the problem go away or keep our kids safe. The good news is that by focusing on positive ways to talk to children, you can protect your kids without ever hitting a doom and gloom note or wallowing in depressing statistics.
As a Child Safety Educator, it's my job to help parents and caregivers teach their kids effective "safe-smarts rules" that work. It's as easy as 1...2...3!
So if you happen to be at an event that includes a FREE presentation in safety...come and check us out. It's a whole lot easier (and definitely less scary) than you might think.
Note to Parents: No Need to Fear "Safety"
If knowledge is power, why then are so many parents reluctant to learn how to keep their kids safe from child predators? In the last few weeks I set off to find the answer to this burning question after participating on a Q&A safety panel with other safety experts, including Nancy Davis, resident blogger for Safety4Kids, at an event in Los Angeles.The answers I found aren't particularly earth-shattering nor surprising, but they did make me realize that most parents are still in the dark about the realities of childhood sexual abuse and subsequently, how they can protect their kids from becoming victimized by a molester's tricks.
So...why are parents reluctant to learn about predator safety? Here are a few of the most recurrent comments parents shared with me (and my responses!):
1. We've already talked to our kids about stranger-danger, so we've covered this.
The truth is 90 percent of childhood sexual abuse doesn't happen by a "stranger". More often than not, it's someone the kids know. And, equally important, most kids don't have a clear idea of who a stranger is. Anyone who smiles and introduces themselves to a child, perhaps offering an enticing treat of some kind, may no longer be viewed as a "stranger" by that child.
2. We don't want to scare our kids, so we'd rather not bring up the issue at all.
I hear ya on the first part of that, but not the second part! There are plenty of ways that parents can empower kids with safety skills and concepts using effective, kid-friendly language, AND without ever using scary stories or fear tactics. Parents teach their kids about fire safety, pool safety, even safety about crossing the street all the time. You haven't made the kids terrified of swimming pools or cars, you just gave them clear guidelines. It's the same with teaching kids about "good touch/bad touch".
3. It's going to be too depressing, we just don't want to "go there".
Denial isn't going to make the problem go away or keep our kids safe. The good news is that by focusing on positive ways to talk to children, you can protect your kids without ever hitting a doom and gloom note or wallowing in depressing statistics.
As a Child Safety Educator, it's my job to help parents and caregivers teach their kids effective "safe-smarts rules" that work. It's as easy as 1...2...3!
So if you happen to be at an event that includes a FREE presentation in safety...come and check us out. It's a whole lot easier (and definitely less scary) than you might think.
