Parents always tend to the safety of their children. So, they teach their children on how to stay healthy and how to be safe at all times, whether they are at home or outdoors.Parents always imbibe safety measures to children when it comes to stranger danger or a possible threat from persons who they don't know, according to Mom Junction.
Dr Phil shared some advice on what parents can tell their children about dealing with strangers:
- Parents should be aware of people who are a possible threat to their child
- They should talk to their kids about pedophiles when they reach the age where they can understand what it means
- Don't be afraid to scare them, but when you speak to them, it should be in a manner appropriate to their age and give them instructions on what to do. Children feel empowered when they know what to do.
- Teach your kids that they have the right to say no, scream, and ask for help and nobody should hurt them. Moreover, tell them to call you when there is a stranger around and there are no adults around that they know.
- Let them know the body parts that should not be touched.
- Role play with your child on how to response to threats or danger.
- Tell them that not all bad people are scary.
But there are some things or instructions that children cannot fully understand and they may interpret them differently. Parents need to talk to them in a manner a child would understand. As posted on Parents, here are some instructions which can sometimes confuse children:
- Instead of telling them do not talk to strangers, tell them that they should consult you first or their nanny before talking to strangers.
- Instead of telling them that when they get lost in a store or a mall, ask a trusted person to find you, tell them to stay in the building and ask a person with a name tag for help.
- Instead of telling them don't take candy from a stranger, tell them to take something from a person they know like you, their nanny, or a friend of yours.
- Instead of telling them don't leave my sight, tell them that they should not go where they cannot see you.
Not all unfamiliar people are bad or threatening, but not everyone they know are good, too. So if you teach them the right precautionary measures you can be sure that they will be secured, safe and sound.
