| Lots of kids and families are preparing to | | | | |
| head back to school right now for the start | | | | Second, teach your child to keep a safe |
| of a new school year at least "up here" where | | | | distance from a stranger. We call it a |
| we live in the US, Canada and Europe. For | | | | "Circle Of Safety" and it's about 15 feet. |
| those of you who aren't going back to school | | | | Your child can still talk to them at this |
| right now, or those of you that Homeschool, | | | | distance but have time to react in case it's |
| these tips can still keep your child safer | | | | a bad stranger. Your child can turn and run |
| today than yesterday. | | | | and get safely away at this 15' distance. |
| | | | |
| Back To School families typically focus on | | | | For the most part, this is when your child is |
| new clothes, shoes, book bags and school | | | | outdoors and finds themselves alone, like on |
| supplies. That's great. We want to add in a | | | | a playground, on a sidewalk or in the yard, |
| "Back To School Safer" awareness to their | | | | being approached by someone they don't know. |
| list of things to remember. | | | | In school, when there are lots of other |
| | | | students and adults around, it's just |
| There are three immediate things parents can | | | | something they should know. |
| do, things you can teach your child, right | | | | |
| away, today. It's simply about education, | | | | Third, teach your child to listen to their |
| knowledge and awareness, not paranoia. So, | | | | "Belly Brain." This is the "gut reaction" we |
| when teaching these things to your child, | | | | as adults have, that instinctively tells us |
| keep a light-hearted approach and atmosphere. | | | | something is not right. Your child has it |
| We're endorsing a better awareness for kids | | | | too. We simply have to teach them they have |
| and families, not fear. | | | | it and then, to listen to it. And, teach your |
| | | | child that their "Belly Brain" is never |
| The fact is, your child is going to be around | | | | wrong. |
| new teachers, students, coaches, counselors | | | | |
| and acquaintances when YOU Mom and Dad, are | | | | Today, this is a critical skill for your |
| not around. Your child needs an ability to | | | | child to have, especially for those kids |
| keep themselves safe when they are out and | | | | surfing the Internet. When your child reaches |
| about in today's world. There are a few | | | | a website they shouldn't be on or stumbles |
| things parents and kids can do together at | | | | upon one inadvertently, their "Belly Brain" |
| home to make sure they are safer this year | | | | is going to go off. They need to know to get |
| than ever before. | | | | off that site when their stomach feels funny |
| | | | and signals them. |
| First, teach your child to project | | | | |
| confidence. Confident kids are naturally less | | | | If your child ever finds themselves alone in |
| of a target for predators. This means bullies | | | | a situation with an inappropriate adult or |
| at school, too. A confident child is a child | | | | teenager, their "Belly Brain" is again going |
| that stands tall, shoulders back, head high | | | | to go off. It is going to give them that |
| and with eyes alert to their environment. | | | | "funny feeling" and when it happens, they |
| This type of posture subconsciously projects | | | | need to know it is "OK" to feel that way and |
| a struggle, a notion of, "I'm not going to be | | | | to leave the room or place they are |
| that easy to pick on," to anyone looking for | | | | immediately. They need to know it is "OK" for |
| a victim. | | | | them to find a trusted adult, you, and tell |
| | | | you about it. And, this includes surfing the |
| Sad kids, those that look like they are | | | | Web. |
| unhappy, those with stooped shoulders and a | | | | |
| shuffling gate, look like they are in need of | | | | We study the US Federal Bureau of |
| a friend. We know many child predators like | | | | Investigation (FBI) information to stay one |
| to befriend a child first, offer presents and | | | | step in front of child predators and they |
| kind words, and take their time patiently to | | | | have some great Online Safety Tips. Online |
| lure a child into a friendship before they | | | | predators troll for kids behind the anonymity |
| abuse or molest them. | | | | of a user name and keyboard. The Belly Brain |
| | | | can give your child an advantage in being |
| A big part of building confidence in your | | | | able to take appropriate action if ever in a |
| child is doing daily what we call, "Catch | | | | situation where any danger from predators |
| Them Being Good." It's easy for us as parents | | | | threatens them. |
| to notice the things our kids do wrong. But a | | | | |
| short moment, noticing your child doing | | | | These three Quick Tips are really just the |
| something right, and a "Hey, Sally, that was | | | | tip of the personal child safety iceberg, but |
| great!" goes much further in teaching your | | | | they are very effective. They are also simple |
| child to feel good about themselves in only | | | | and easy and you can introduce and teach you |
| seconds a day. This is a big first step in | | | | child them in just minutes a day for a |
| solid confidence building and something you | | | | lifetime of results. |
| can easily do. | | | | |