| |
| |
|
Parenting Information |
|
|
|
Safe From Strangers
There are few thoughts as terrifying as the abduction of your young child by a stranger. The fear causes parents to think long and hard about their children's safety. They tell them in a very clear voice, "Do not to talk to strangers." The problem is though, that a child's view of a stranger is very different from a parent's view. From the child's perspective, because a stranger is someone they are supposed to be afraid of, they expect a stranger to look ugly or scary. In fact, few, if any strangers actually look like the child's notion. Then to make matters more confusing for children, we teach then to respect and listen to their elders and be polite. Then as role models, children see us talk to people we have never met before, day in and day out. So young children get it and will not to talk to strangers. They will very willingly avoid scary looking people. However, when confronted by a friendly, kind looking older person, they will likely respond politely, which in most cases means "speaking when spoken to" and as they are taught in school, they will follow their directions. Helping young children not to talk to strangers or not go with them, takes much more than the simple admonishment, "Don't talk to strangers." Parents who want to increase the likelihood that their child will avoid or leave from persons unknown must spend a good amount of time talking about the issue and teaching their children on an ongoing basis. These tips may help: Managing your child's safety, in your absence is truly a scary thought for most parents. We do not want to put undue fear in our children, but we do want to keep them from harm. It is important to understand how our own behaviour may contradict what we want children to do when approached by people they do not know. We have to talk about the difference between what parents may do and what children may do. Only parents may touch the stove? only parents talk to strangers. Finally, in addition to teaching who NOT to talk to, we must also teach, who they CAN talk to. If for instance, your child is lost in the store, who can they talk to? Develop a list of safe persons your child can talk to - even if they do not know them. The list may include police, fireman, teachers and even cashiers in stores. Remember keeping children safe is an ongoing discussion and not a simple one-time set of rules. Keep talking with them to keep them safe. Gary Direnfeld, MSW Gary Direnfeld is a social worker and expert on matters of family life. He is in private practice, writes and provides workshops and is the developer of the "I Promise Program" - teen safe driving initiative. Search his name on GOOGLE.COM to view his many articles. Feel free to call him for your next conference and for expert opinion on family matters. Courts in Ontario consider Gary an expert on child development, marital and family therapy, custody and access recommendations and social work. Buy the book: To order Direnfeld's book, Raising Kids Without Raising Cane, send a cheque or money order in the amount of $12.00 to: Interaction Consultants, 20 Suter Crescent, Dundas, Ontario, Canada L9H 6R5 Parents of new teen drivers are encouraged to check out this teen safe driving program: www.ipromiseprogram.com http://www.ipromiseprogram.com/gary/direnfeld.htm
MORE RESOURCES:
Parenting - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Mommies and Me Special Time Creating and making special memories with your child is very important, especially for your child's development.Special memories also help build a relationship with your child that will last a lifetime. Teaching Kids the Value of Money My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted to go to a winter retreat with her church youth group last year. Price of trip - $45. Assertiveness: Key to Better Parenting I have always been aware of my number one weakness: non-assertiveness. But I have come a long way from the time when I couldn't say 'no' to a child molester and not understanding the importance of telling my parents. Grandparents! Help Your Grandkids Do Math! This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances in education, many kids stillstruggle in the math class. Picky Eater - Fighting the Good Fight Often, the struggle at dinnertime with your picky eater is notso much about food as it is about control. As children becomemore independent, conflicts can arise as they carefullyscrutinize what goes into their mouths. Baptisms And Alternative Ways To Hold A Naming Ceremony Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism. Most still are, but increasingly parents are choosing an alternative, non-religious ceremony. What Julia Roberts has to Say about Motherhood Julia Roberts recently gave birth to twins: Hazel and Phinnaeus. At 37, America's Pretty Woman couldn't be happier in her new role of motherhood. Teaching Your Child To Lift a Car Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one of the really cool things about having your own business!). The only bad thing about yesterday is that two of the kids are still sick-they have that cold with the horrible cough and congestion. Healthy Eating Alone Is Not The Answer Along with eating healthier we need to be more active. The two go hand in hand. Potty Training ?To Train or Not to Train? I have always found the notion of toilet training a toddler to be a bit much. I didn't feel right about pushing my girls to do something I felt would eventually come naturally. Grandparents --- Homeschool Your Grandchildren and Feel Younger Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown children than to advise them about important issues like the dangers of public schools for your grandchildren? What better way to feel younger if you offer to help homeschool your grandchildren?When your children grow up and get careers of their own, that doesn't mean you have to be lonely in a big, empty house and lose contact with your kids. Helping to homeschool your grandchildren can be a wonderful way for you to stay in close and loving contact with your grown children and grandchildren. Because Every Child Is A Born Genuis Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding the human mind through person's handwriting. Old Wives Tales and Other Things That Just Might Help with ADHD Here are some tips that I have picked up from parents that I have met over my 15 years working with ADHD kids and their families. These are not clinically tested. Examining Drugs for ADHD, Particularly Strattera In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year old Stephanie Hall; and 10 year old Shaina Dunkle and other children who have died from the use of psychotropic drugs for "ADHD".The Eli Lilly company has been marketing a new drug for those who are labeled as ADHD known as Strattera. Protect your Kids Early with Safety Glasses What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There are several reasons glasses will be rated as safe. They must not only cover the front of the eyes but also the top and sides as well so small particles can't enter the eye. Sanity Savers For Busy Mums Page Question 1"How do I get more time toplay?"Answer:Schedule it in.Why? Because if you don't schedule it youwill generally let other things have a higherpriority and put yourself and a life furtherdown the list. Mommie Moments - Taking Time For Yourself Being a parent is a role that requires a large majority of our attention and time. Whether you have one child or fourteen children, you are more than likely aware that personal time is at a minimal. Talk Your Child Clever Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say its first word. This usually happens between the nine months and a year. Raising A High Maintenance Child Do you have a high maintenance child?"Thank goodness my second child wasn't born first. I would have stopped at one child if he was my first," said a mother at a recent parenting seminar. Parents - The No Child Left Behind Law Wont Do Much For Your Child Past experience with federal education programs predicts that the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act will also fail parents whose children are doing poorly in school. The federal government has spent over $120 billion on Title 1 programs for low-income students since 1965.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
