Protecting Your Kids - Marriage Uncensored with Dave & Christie

Protecting Our Kids

Coach them early on what is good touch & bad touch. Anything that makes them feel uncomfortable should be talked through with a trusted parent.
Include healthy boundaries within your family and extended family too.
Work to have them feel secure and safe with you. Though every parent may assume this, it is how you treat them with your love and gentleness that will enable them to feel free to come to you when they need to.
Invite open dialogues about how their outside relationships are going; include their friendships, their times away, any sleep-overs, extended family members, their teachers, coaches, club leaders and any other significant adults in their life.
Instruct them on how they may be approached by a predator and explain to them the kinds of ploys that might be used. Go through possible scenarios with them and coach the best responses.

Approached by a stranger – practice what they would say and do
Someone wanting to be alone with you – keep secrets – offer gifts.
Someone wants you to get into their car – kick, fight, scream, run, scratch.
Situations or someone that makes you feel uncomfortable or afraid
- NOTE: If anyone or anything makes you feel “weird”, always go with your inside feelings and tell mom & dad!

Develop a Family Code Word that only your family members know. This way your children can confirm whether an appeal from a stranger is really family safe.
Staying over night at someone’s home should have specific safety measures in place. Children should not be allowed to play in any room with closed doors. You should know the parents of the home and have talked with them. You should discuss your family guidelines on television, computers, and safe play.
Put your computer in very public place in your home with a “no closed doors” policy. Be sure to have a child safe internet filter to prevent your child from even accidently going to dangerous places. It will also block any attempts from outside predators. We suggest Net Nanny, CYBERsitter, or Be Safe.
Explain how predators work online. Educate them on not giving out personal information ever without parental approval. If they do get solicited, have them tell you right away. Reward them like they are being a good cop, as they are protecting other children too.