I’ve been a parent since the early 2000’s and starting out, I made a few mistakes. One was worrying too much about my child’s mood.
As the mom of three, I’ve learned how to navigate parenting, especially when protecting my children in certain environments. It is my job and responsibility to make sure my children are safe and protected. Considering the “struggle” to conceive, I will do everything in my will power to ensure the safety of my children.
I will never place a dollar amount on my children’s life!
Society has changed since I first became a mom and today’s parenting is exceptionally different. New parents have many more options for baby products and technology has also made some areas slightly easier. But, technology is not a safety net. It can help but it’s not kidnapping proof. To help you reduce the stress of being out and about with your child(ren), keep reading some helpful tips!
Being a New Parent
Some new parents make the mistake of relying too much on technology. Another mistake is being too comfortable in certain situations. The ultimate mistake is not thinking about the “what ifs.”
In television shows, kidnappers alway ask for a certain dollar amount in exchange for returning the child to their family.
I’ve seen shows where the kidnappers have asked for millions. But how does one come up with a number? In tv-land the number is fictitious depending on how much the kidnapper needs to pay someone or fulfill a debt.
Naturally, a parent is going to pay or try their best to get the funds because they want their child(ren) back. After watching so many of these shows, my husband and I came up with some kidnapping strategies. Some are based on what we saw on tv and some based on how we raise our children.
Safety Tips
The following tips will help any parent protect their child(red) from getting kidnapped, the risk of paying money you may not have, and not making the mistake of having some protection in place for the safety of your child or children
1
- Running Errands — If you will out for awhile, take a picture of your child before leaving the house. How many times are you focused on what your child is wearing when running errands? If you have multiple children, make it fun. Tell them you want to see the before and after pictures after a day of shopping or doing whatever. Make bets on who will still look put together when you come back home.
2
- Grocery Store | Market — depending on your child’s age, have them walk in front of you, holding onto the cart. When children walk behind you, it makes it easy for a stranger to distract them while you’re still walking. As you point out what you need, get them to put the items in the cart. If your children are young, stand in front of the cart, holding onto it while making your selections. Never leave the cart unattended or turn your back when making selections. Never send your child to a different aisle without you. When emptying your cart at checkout, get your child to help — if they are old enough. If they are too young, reverse the cart so you can keep and eye on your child.
There is no greater warrior than a mother protecting her child. – N.K Jemisin
3
- Getting Gas — Depending on your child’s age, let them help you pump the gas. If too young, ensure the vehicle is off and the doors are locked BEFORE pumping your gas. Use the handle and place it on one of the rivets to allow the gas to self pump. While that’s happening, get back in the vehicle, with the doors locked. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings. If children are older, talk to them through the window if you don’t want sit in the vehicle. Make sure the doors are locked, the vehicle is off, and the key is in your pocket.
4
- School — Schools should have documentation of who can and cannot pick up your child(ren) during or after school. In some areas, children walk home. If child(ren) walk home, ensure they don’t walk home alone, have a check-in routine that they call you as soon as they get home, and make sure you have a family password. The password protects the child in case someone says, “I’m a friend of the family — I’m one of your parent’s friends and I’m going to give you a ride home.” Anytime someone picks up your child from school, have them follow a script and share that script with your child so they know what to expect to hear. ** Hope you had a good day at school (insert password). You ready to go home? ** OR….it can be any wording you wish as long as the password is either first or after the greeting. Your child should not have to ask for the password.
It is easy to become complacent with our day to day and think it’s not going to happen to us. As parents, we are often distracted thinking about other parts of life that we can fail to think about our child’s safety when we are out and about. No matter how distracted we are, it is our responsibility to make sure our children are safe from strangers and those who are trying to profit from children.
I hope these tips help you make sure you are keeping your child or children safe!
If you have other tips, sound off in the comments.
For more information and tips visit Healthy Children.
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