Teaching Children To Be Wary of Strangers

Our times are filled with bad news of kids being abused by strangers. This article talks about teaching children to be wary of strangers.

This dictum of “don’t talk to strangers” has been handed down through the decades by many parents everywhere. However, it’s not always a bad idea for kids to strike up a conversation with total strangers. No one else can help them out if they become lost.

So, rather than enforcing a rule, it is preferable to instruct children when it is okay and inappropriate to approach strangers. When you’re out with your kids, it’s perfectly acceptable for them to greet strangers and make new friends. You’re keeping an eye on things and will be there for them if necessary.

The situation is different if your youngster is approached by a stranger while they are alone. Whenever a stranger comes and offers a ride, or treats (such as candy and toys), or asks for help with a chore (like helping find a lost dog), your children should move away, cry “No!” and leave the area right once.

It’s important that your child tells you or another responsible adult (such as a babysitter or teacher) what happened. A stranger, family member, or friend can do the same for your child when they ask them to keep a secret, try to touch their private area, or request that they do the same for them.

Children are inclined to be frightened of strangers who appear mean-looking or frightening. Children’s abusers look to be normal people and go out of their way to make themselves appear decent, safe, and appealing. Teaching children to assess others by their deeds, rather than their outward appearance is a good place to start.

It’s also critical to teach children to rely on their own judgment and intuition when making decisions. If someone makes them uncomfortable or if they sense something is amiss, they should leave quickly, even if they can’t explain why.

Suppose your children are stranded and need to ask for aid from a stranger. What should they do? A cop or security guard in uniform is a good place to start your search. If you can’t find anyone in uniform, ask around for grandmothers, mothers, and other people with families to see if they can offer assistance. Again, remind them of their intuition: If they don’t feel good about a person, they should approach someone else.

Keeping children safe from strangers isn’t always possible. There is, however, a way to educate kids about proper behavior and what to do if someone exceeds the line. Keeping these things in mind helps keep your children safe while they’re out and about.

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