We, as parents, teachers, and grandparents want to do everything we can to protect our children. No one wants one of their children to become a statistic! No one wants to have their child listed as a "MISSING CHILD".  SO! What is the one thing parents always tell their kids????

"Don't talk to strangers!!!"

But, does your child actually know who a stranger is?  They most likely will answer~ someone who they don't know.  But, it sometimes isn't a stranger who will lure your child.  It could be someone he/she already knows. 

So, how do we talk about all that scary stuff to our children?  I have done my homework and provided you with many links to assist you.

If you have any questions or comments, please e mail me.

[email protected]

Tips For Parents

Tips to Avoid Abduction

Role Playing With Your Child

Books for Kids and Adults

Tips For Parents: Protecting Your Kids

Experts say parents should tell their children to...

• Never talk to strangers. It's a simple, but effective strategy.

• Always be suspicious - not to assume everyone is trustworthy.

• Never leave with anyone other than their parent or someone that the parent has approved.

• To scream as loud as possible if they feel threatened: "You're not my mommy!"  "You're not my daddy!"  To cry, "HELP" sometimes is seen as a child who might be disobeying one of their parents. (I heard this one on Fox News 2/04)

• To seek out the first adult they see for help if they feel threatened.

Experts say parents should...

• Be specific when going over possible dangerous scenarios with children - In the incident in California, the abductor allegedly lured Samantha Runnion by saying he was looking for a missing dog.

• Give your child some sort of training, either with Karate, or some form of self defense.  This protection will last a lifetime.

• When going to bed make sure the doors and windows are locked.

• Monitor the computer.  You never know who your child may be talking to.

• When walking any place, make sure your child is always with a friend.

• Always remember that child abductions don't just happen somewhere else!

Books From Amazon

The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers by Stan Berenstain (Author), Jan Berenstain (Author) (Paperback ) Avg. Customer Rating:

Don't Talk to Strangers by Bethany Campbell (Author) (Paperback ) Avg. Customer Rating: Other Editions: Paperback

Who Is a Stranger and What Should I Do? (An Albert Whitman Prairie Book) -- by Linda Walvoord Girard, et al; Paperback Buy new: $5.95

		Stranger Safety (2005)   Price: $8.99
.		Don't Talk to Strangers (Hipkidhop) -- by Kevi, et al; Hardcover   available used from $0.01

These books can be found in your local Library or go to Amazon and do a search.  If you come across a great book, please pass it along to me and I will add it to my list.

Books for adults to use to guide discussions with children: Bahr, Amy C. (j362.7044 B148I) It's OK to Say No Bahr's book is for parents and children to read together to promote body safety. Dangerous situations in which a child should say "no" are discussed in a straightforward, non-threatening way. Buschman, Janis (j362.7044 B961s) Strangers Don't Look Like the Big Bad Wolf Designed to make preschoolers aware of the dangers of child abduction, this book takes everyday situations and presents them in story form. Included are discussion questions and guidelines for both parents and young children. Hubbard, Kate (j362.7044 H861h) Help Yourself to Safety This safety education guide leads children through awareness and prevention concepts dealing with molestation and abduction. The story is a starting point for ongoing discussion about personal safety. Meyer, Linda (j362.7 M575s) Safety Zone Subtitled "A Book Teaching Child Abduction Prevention Skills" there are pages here for parent and child to read together and discuss. Role playing suggestions that reinforce the skills are given as well as ways for creating a safer environment in a community. Newman, Susan (j362.7044 N468n) Never Say "Yes" to a Stranger Various potentially dangerous situations involving seemingly nice strangers are presented in a format meant for adults to read aloud and discuss with children. The chapters are arranged so that those for younger children come first, the later chapters involve situations and responses suitable for older children. (Available in video) Saunders, Pete (j362.7044 Sa56f) Feeling Safe Besides discussing unkind people and bullies, this book tells how to deal with advances made by strangers and talks to children about ways of looking after themselves and making sure they feel safe. Vogel, Carole (j362.704 V862d) The Dangers of Strangers It is a sad fact that children need to be told that not all people are nice and that some even want to hurt children. Forceful language and sometimes frightening illustrations combine to warn children to be wary of strangers For older children: Girard, Linda (j362.7044 G441w) Who Is a Stranger and What Should I Do? Telephone and doorbell safety rules are given, but the Never, Never Rule is emphasized: "Never, never take a walk or a ride with a stranger." Children are encouraged to discuss with parents and teachers what to do if a stranger approaches. Hyde, Margaret (j362.74 H994m) Missing Children Writing for preteens and teens, Hyde talks about runaways, parental abductions and abductions by strangers. She gives suggestions for ways that young adults can help stem these severe problems that she says have reached epidemic proportions. Kyte, Kathy S. (j362.88 K999p) Play It Safe: The Kids' Guide to Personal Safety and Crime Prevention This book will help children and teens take charge of their safety at home and away from home: on the streets, on public transportation and at schools, parks and other public places. It includes expert advice from police and from criminals, and gives sample situations to test safety skills.     Books for adults: Arenberg, Gerald (362.7044 Ar33p) Preventing Missing Children: A Parental Guide to Child Security Taking a preventative approach to the problem of missing children, this book seeks to educate parents and motivate them to action. It is endorsed by the National Association of Chiefs of Police and was written by that group's Executive Director. Hechinger, Grace (362.88 H354h) How to Raise a Street-Smart Child Good information is given on children as crime victims, telling parents how to raise children to be aware of the crime and danger around them without making them unduly fearful or paranoid. (Available in video.) Schaefer, Michael (362.88 Sch13c) Child Snatching Schaefer is the Director of the K-I.D. Fingerprint Identification Program. Here he answers many questions and concerns about fingerprinting, and he stresses safety awareness. He also suggests some preventative measures a working single parent can take to protect the child who is home alone.   I