Homeschooling our children gives me lots of opportunity to combine practical application with education.
For example, yesterday we went to the grocery store. And while we learned how going to Winco creates a time warp and you will inevitably get sucked in for no less than an hour no matter how succinct your grocery list is, we also learned about Stranger Safety. Because what better place than the grocery store to learn things of this nature?
Actually, Stranger Safety 101 came to being because I saw a situation that warranted it. While in the bulk section, my kiddos were standing near the cart where I told them to stand and I was only a few feet away..completely able to see my children at all times. As I was scooping up the oatmeal, I heard a guy start talking to my sons. I turned around and gave him a half-hearted smile (why I smiled I don't know...overly polite I guess). We moved on to other parts of the store. And where we were he was. I still didn't notice. But when we went up to the cash register and he was there AGAIN, I started to get a little creeped out.
What happened next totally weirded me out and I nearly flipped out. In Winco, you bag your own groceries. So I was bagging and my youngest son, Mr. Independent, was on the far side of the cart. The forty-something, non-grandpa looking guy walked around my cart, started talking to my son again and RUBBED HIS SHOULDERS. I proceeded to call my son over to my side to "help" me load the groceries. And I made sure that I was between my sons and the guy. I quickly finished loading my cart and we left the store.
As I put my children in the van, I started thinking about the situation more intently.
At first I thought I overreacted, but then I started thinking about it. He probably followed us in the store and to our register. There were five other registers he could have used! Realizing this totally creeped me out by then. So I deemed our Most Important Lesson of the Day, Stranger Safety 101. First I explained that God puts angels responsible over their safety, so that the angels can protect them from things Daddy and Mommy can't. But I told them that God put us in charge of keeping them safe from things like bad people. I tried to carefully explain that there are people who are dangerous and can do bad things (I kept it very vague because they don't need to know about pedophiles yet). Then I drilled them on what they should do in certain situations.
Lesson 1: (Well I guess that teaching them about God's protection is lesson 1)
I taught them that they don't talk to strangers unless Daddly and Mommy tell them it is okay. It doesn't matter if the person looks really nice and friendly. DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS!
Lesson 2: If someone you don't know tries to touch you in ANY way, you say (very loudly so everyone can hear you): DON'T TOUCH ME!
Lesson 3: If Daddy or Mommy are a little ways off in the store and you feel uncomfortable around anyone you say: DADDY OR MOMMY I NEED YOU. And we will come running. (For the sake of clarification here: We NEVER leave our children unattended in the store. I meant we can still see our children and hear them but we are not right next to them.)
Lesson 4: Don't let anyone touch your sister either. Speak up for her like in lesson 2.
Lesson 5: If you are at home and some person keeps staring at you as you play in the backyard, GET YOUR SISTER, COME INSIDE AND TELL ME.
Lesson 6: It doesn't matter where you are (home, church, store, etc.) if anyone tries to touch you or talk to you, FOLLOW THE RULES AND COME AND GET US.
Lesson 7: Daddy and Mommy will deal with the strangers. You don't have to.
Lesson 8: Don't be afraid of people. God keeps you safe and we will keep you safe too. Follow the rules and obey and we can protect you better.
Lesson 9: If anything like the above examples happens, ALWAYS TELL US.
As I think back on it, I should have just told that guy "DON'T TOUCH MY SON" and then called my son over to me. Embarrassment would have served the creep right! If I get opportunity again, I know what I will do!
How come there aren't classes on what parents are supposed to do? :) Stranger Safety Response Classes for parents! Maybe there are and I just don't know about them.
So did I leave anything out? When did you have to talk to your little ones about Stranger Safety? How did you do it?
FIVE IN THE POTTER'S HAND
2 comments:
These are great tips. Our oldest is totally non-discretionary with everyone, and it's always a struggle keeping him from "being friends" with any and everyone he sees. I'll use these as a base for continuing to train him. Thanks!
The only thing I can think of (and maybe at a later date) is what to do if someone tries to take him I.e kicking, screaming, biting, acting crazy, etc. My mom told me to look like a fool if I have to.
You are a great mom! I have a lot to learn from you.
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