Elizabeth Smart was on GMA, this morning. Who better to drive home the importance of educating young children to wage war against anyone who violates them, in any way, shape or form. Here is some of her advice:
Perpetrators are too often people in our lives. WHO is a STRANGER or a DANGER? A serious question that needs to be repeatedly addressed, both by parents and with our children. Our kids are exposed to so many situations and people. Without petrifying them, we must be sure they are always on guard. It seems like yesterday that a child in our remote neighborhood was threatened by a stranger from 150 miles away. I shudder...
ARM children with knowledge of parents' first and last names, full address and phone number, with area code. HAVE THEM RECITE IT REPEATEDLY, but impress upon older children that they are NEVER to share the info online.
TEACH children from the very tender age of 3 years and up to DIAL 911 and SPEAK TO their emergency.
PRACTICE with them. Use an old, battery-free cell phone, as well as your home touch-tone, and have them PHYSICALLY dial and speak, with a parent pretending to be the recipient of the call. Have them clearly RECITE correct and applicable data into the mouthpiece, as mentioned above.
PRACTICE with them. Use an old, battery-free cell phone, as well as your home touch-tone, and have them PHYSICALLY dial and speak, with a parent pretending to be the recipient of the call. Have them clearly RECITE correct and applicable data into the mouthpiece, as mentioned above.
USE the lessons of TANTRUMS during events of SIBLING RIVALRY!! Yes, TEACH your children to SCREAM as though for the Wii remote, if EVER they are approached... AND... tell them that NO ADULT WILL EVER ASK A CHILD FOR DIRECTIONS (my girlfriend and I nearly fell into this trap, as kids walking between houses). TEACH them to RUN AWAY FROM THREATS, as they YELL, SCREAM AND THRASH. Don't forget to PRACTICE all of the above...
ACT OUT SCENARIOS.
Unfortunately, it is often human nature to freeze and go silent under threatening circumstances. But statistics say that there is an 80% chance of escape and survival from an abduction ONLY WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES. That number drops radically, beyond the short time frame. Can we train ourselves and our children to be strong under such frightening duress? Ms. Smart had a post-ordeal episode, when a woman approached and verbally abused her in a public restroom. She was frightened, but said nothing as she exited. Her father read her the riot act, as ANY SUCH EVENT IS A THREAT. He told Elizabeth to SCREAM, "...as I've heard you when squabbling with your sister."
Also, be an ADVOCATE for having the proper authorities come into schools to further impress our children.
