Give your kids the ability to talk to the right strangers if they’re ever in a situation where they’re lost, alone, or in danger. If your child becomes lost, the first thing he or she should do is to approach a woman and ask for help. Women are more likely than men to become emotionally invested in your child and are statistically almost never sexual predators. Plus, women are almost always around and easy to find. Encourage your young children to practice talking to strangers in a safe environment. Ask them how they feel about each situation, and practice what they might say. Look for situations where you can easily observe your child from nearby. Then, talk about what happened during your child’s interaction with the stranger she chose to talk to. Start with easier situations for your child and then make them more challenging (she may need to do each more than once for practice): Here are some practical steps parents can take to reduce anxiety in the event a child is lost:
Until a child is old enough to recognize predatory strategies, old enough and confident enough to resist them, assertive enough to seek help, and powerful enough to enforce the word “No” – until all that happens, a child is too young to be his own protector.
