Sometimes in life things happen that make you think and re-evaluate what and how you teach your children. There was an incident at my sons’ school on Monday that has every parent concerned for their childs safety. This isn’t one of those helicopter parents or parents these days are way over protective type concerns this is a serious matter that everyone needs reminding of from time to time.
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So Monday started as every other week – get Declan ready for school, breakfast, make sure lunch is packed, make sure Kye is dressed and fed, etc. etc. and off to school we went. I kissed him goodbye as he hung up his bag on the hook at his classroom.
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When returning to pick him up that afternoon there was a lot of chatter and I didn’t quite understand what all the hoo-hah was about until I was informed by the principle that there was a strange man wandering around the school grounds earlier that day and appeared to be quite interested in the children. When they approached him he fled the grounds. Yes the police were called.
I have taught my children not to talk to strangers, or if one should approach them that they are to scream ‘STRANGER’ as loud as they can and run in the opposite direction towards safety. I haven’t told them however not to trust people within the school grounds. I think it is just one of those places you think your children are safe – when you step over that threshold from the unknown to the security of teachers who protect you.
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We do not live in a big city area, quite the opposite actually. There isn’t even a high school where we live – kids have to catch the bus there. There are only a couple of thousand people residing in this little country town in the Hunter Valley. I thought I would take this opportunity to remind all parents, aunts, uncles, sister and brothers to be mindful of your surroundings regardless where you are. Please remind and refresh your childrens ‘Stranger Danger’ knowledge. It could save you and them a lot of grief and heartache.
NO, YELL, RUN, TELL!
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Another great strategy that is often taught is for the children to lay on the ground kicking and thrashing around screaming as loudly as they can. No one is going to risk a back injury to pick up a jerking child of the ground. Also if a child yells repeatedly “you’re a stranger, I dont know you” it lets people nearby know exactly what’s going on, rather than them wondering if it is just a child having a meltdown.
But yes a very scary situation indeed as you would think that school is one of the few places they would be safe from strangers
That is a great idea! I have never thought of that one. Thanks Belinda.
Wow that is scary. It happened once at my kids old school. Not surprised though with low fences and gates open. The kids school that they are at now luckily has the police station just two buildings away.
It really is scary to think that they aren’t entirely safe when you drop them off at school.
I taught my kids about strangers, but not strangers in school. School is always viewed as a safe place with people you can trust. It’s scary that strangers could wander in school grounds. Thanks for this post, something to talk to my kids about.
Not a problem prettymom. I never thought of it either so figured if I can share what I learnt and help prevent anything happening to anyones child than it was worth it.
That is scary! I teach my 3 year old that stuff all the time. I am glad nothing happened and the police are looking out.
julie @ Naptime Review
http://www.thenaptimereview.com
Yes indeed – we have been teaching our kids since they have been old enough to understand. Thanks for stopping by Julie
Great reminder- and too bad the reason it had to come. Hopped over from operation fabulous.
Thanks for stopping by Rachel. Yes it is unfortunate the reasoning behind the reminder.
You never know quite how terrifying life can be….then you have children.
Found you as part of the Operation Fabulous! Stop by and see me sometime;-)
Heather P.
Spunky Real Deals
http://spunkyrealdeal.blogspot.com
That is so very true Heather. Thanks for stopping by
New follower from Operation Fabulous! Love the blog!!
Megan
-http://ephesianswife.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by Megan. xx
We also have told our boys this. It doesn’t matter how well they know the person – they are not under any circumstance to leave without anyone but me or dad unless we have told them prior.
Oh wow how scary! Glad everything is ok though!
I’m a new follower via Operation Fabulous. I look forward to getting to know you! Stop by and say hi sometime!
-Sam
http://dannyandsamantha.blogspot.com/
Thanks for stopping by Sam. xx