Leaving your kids with strangers

 

Stranger danger is a real threat to society and it is with ample cause that parents warn their kids against interacting with strangers when they’re alone. 

 

Sometimes however, it turns out that you need to leave your kids with a stranger and this might confuse them as to the actual definition of a stranger. 

 

Let’s look at some things you can do in order to simplify the process.

 

A child’s perception of a stranger is probably that they’re bad looking and scary, like villains in cartoons. You need to explain to your child that anyone that they don’t know is actually a stranger and that people don’t necessarily look mean when they are. It’s also important though to not make all strangers seem like bad people. 

 

Should your child need help when you are not around, they must have the courage to ask a stranger for help. If you are with your child and you see a stranger that does not look trustworthy, quietly point them out to your child and explain to them what you see in that person that makes you distrust them.

 

Teach your child who safe strangers are. These people are people that children can easily recognise as trustworthy and approach for help when they need it. Two examples of these include police men or fire fighters. You can also point out figures of authority in the child’s own life such as his school principal or a trusted teacher.

 

It is important to teach your kid how to recognise the warning signs of suspicious behaviour, such as an adult asking the child to do something and then keep it a secret or if the adult makes them feel uncomfortable in any way. This is such an important skill to have as the danger unfortunately not only comes from strangers. Trusted friends or family could have less than good intentions and teaching your child what to look for, could save them from an unwanted situation. Teach your child to scream as loud as possible when they feel unsafe, say no, run away and find a trusted adult immediately.

 

Your child will develop their instincts over time and as their parent you should guide that process. Explain to your children that the feeling you feel deep inside in a situation is the feeling that they should trust. If they are scared or uncomfortable, they should leave as fast as possible.

 

By teaching your kids how to assert between different types of people and how to react to a dangerous situation, you are teaching them life skills that might just save them when they need it. 

 

By empowering your child, you can send them on school camps and day trips with their friends, with peace of mind.

 

 

Written by  Marleen Theunissen