Talk with your children, talk with your children, and talk with your children. Keep the lines of communication open and flowing. The more your children tell you about their lives, the better chance you will have as a parent to deflect them away from danger.
Make sure you keep a watchful eye on your teenagers. Do not fall into the trap of thinking since he/she is 15 years old, that he/she can fend for themselves. Keep an eye on them until they leave the house.
Make up a thrifty little memorable name which will apply to certain essential rules for your children. Something like a, “DOUBLE CHECKER!” This means before you do this or that activity you must “double check” with your mother, father, guardian, etc. The parent must tell the child twice, I am well aware that you are going to stay over at little Johnnies tonight.
List of “Double Checker” Scenarios
A.Getting into a vehicle with anyone other than your parent or immediate guardian.
B.Going over to a friend’s house.
C. Spending the night over at a friend’s house.
D.Receiving items from others ranging from food to high dollar items.
Have a communication board in the house on the wall. A good communication board to purchase is a dry erasable white board. Every family should huddle once a day, like a football does, so they can communicate about their plan of the day. It will increase effective communication and generate a sense of peace. This may also cut down on unnecessary panic and turmoil in your house, which poor communication ultimately leads to.
Teach your child from his/her earliest years that,” No one has the right to touch you in an inappropriate way.”They must feel free to speak with you about touching situations. Your children should tell you when someone touches them in such a manner as to evoke the following emotions:
A. Shameful
B. Dirty
C. Uncomfortable
D. Scared
E. Uncertain
F. Confused
G. Mad
H. Angry
I. Hurt
J. Funny
K.Weird
L. Strange
6. Teach your children to, “Go Safe!” An excellent way of teaching children is to give them practical scenarios, appropriate for their age, and have the children attempt to solve them. Make a game of it. This type of training is effective for numerous reasons:
Children love games
You are building a better bond/relationship with your child while playing the game with them.
Positive reinforcement
7. Small children should always go to the nearest store employee if they somehow become separated from their parents.
8. Teach your children at a young age how to dial 911 for Emergency Purposes.
9. Parents should avoid putting their child’s name on clothing, toys, books, etc.
10. Teach your child at a young age their phone number and home address. Get creative! (Example) Putting the home address and phone number into a singing rhyme.
