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What rules do you have? Do your rules include body safety rules?
Keeping our kids safe means rules include body safety. What can be touched, what can’t. What can be seen, what can’t. These rules should be part of daily conversation — in the bath, playing tackle, playing dress up. Simple reminders like, “Remember your body safety rules, it is not okay for you to touch any one’s underwear or for anyone to touch yours.” Something like that. A child can’t be expected to remember a rule if it’s only repeated occasionally.
Some suggestions:
No secrets. Predators like to find kids who will keep secrets. For gifts, you can say “surprise.”
No gifts without asking mom or dad. A boy in my daughter’s kindergarten class gave candy to my daughter and her friend. My daughter didn’t recognize the candy and luckily, didn’t eat it. But, it creeped me out. Was it really candy? It could be dangerous. I had visions of the school yard drug dealer “giving candy” to my daughter. Thus, the rule – no gifts without asking.
No opening the door. Ever.
No touching others’ private parts, no one touches yours except the doctor and if mommy and daddy need to help with the potty.
No showing underwear.
Parents, no forced hugging. (or kissing.) It sends the wrong message. Kids need to be able to say a polite “no” and have control over their body and personal space. You are in charge of your own body.
What are your safety rules?
I recommend all kids watch (more than once) . . .
Stranger Safety by John Walsh and Julie Clark
*My kids love the Safe Side Super Chick in this DVD!
Now, take a deep breath. It will be okay. It’s scary to talk about this but too important to ignore. Now, give your kiddos lots of hugs.
Please post comments if you have any more suggestions and recommendations! We all want to know.
Melissa Taylor is a mom and educator from Denver who is passionate about playful learning. Thanks for visiting the site!
4 Comments
Melissa, thank you SO much for this important reminder! We need to revisit this conversation and the script, “I’m the boss of my body.” I need to go over the “no gifts” thing…
Thank you for sharing your rules about this, I haven’t really thought about it in this depth yet for my family, as the kids are still young. But of course I should be thinking about it and teaching them some rules.
These concerns are the kind of things that go “bump in the night” for care givers. You’ve given some important reminders of how to mitigate some of that fear for the adults in charge. It’s a team effort to work for fun and safety with our kids. Thanks.
Great reminder that this conversation should be coming soon! I will be re-visiting this page then!