Stranger Danger!

I was surfing the news yesterday..

Teen arrested for raping 5 yr old in Mcdonald's play area..
Father sentenced for injury to 8 week old baby..
Mother sentenced to 3 yrs in death of her 10 month old child...
Bergen county on alert for attempted abduction of middle schooler..

And I am taken aback by these news...sometimes we forget that there are really sickos out there, that sometimes we are so engrossed with out daily lives and basking in that false sense of security that we started to relax and it takes something like this for our "survival" and our "lioness nature" to come screeching and clawing to the forefront. But, what can we do? what can we do as parents? Will this justify wrapping our kids in bubble wrap and hiding them in a fireproof, tamper proof safe? I guess not, unless you want department of child services knocking on your door. What it all boils down to, is being vigilant. Not the paranoid-I-am-holding-a-shotgun-everytime-I-open-the door kind of vigilance. But rather, being aware of what is happening around you, especially when out with your kids. I always tell my husband,it only takes a minute, or a small window of opportunity and that flash of neglect, may result to a lifetime of regrets.

Just a few nuggets I collected..
1. Start talking to your child about their body, what is inappropriate touching, and
if he/she feels uncomfortable, tell your child to go to a trusted adult
2. Start training your child how to react to certain situations, run down scenarios
and what they should do. Examples are screaming for help and screaming that the
person trying to drag them away is not their father or mother
3. Make sure they memorize an emergency contact number and 911. We've heard of
stories of lives being saved coz a toddler knew how to diall 911
4. Never talk to strangers, never approach vehicles, a lot of perpertrators use
strategies like asking for directions, having puppies or pets, offering candy or
food
5. Teach your children not to open the door when somebody knocks or rings the
doorbell. Always remind them not to open the door without an adult present
6. When you are out and about with your kids,I know the sales tag on that dress says
70% off, but hey remember your little one running around? Maybe common sense,
keep an eye on your kid, but common sense in not that common after all.
7. Usually the school districts disseminates information with regards to persons of
interests or attempted abductions. Just the other day, a middle schooler from
Bergen county NJ was solicited on her way home from school, she was offered a
$1000 to get in the back of the SUV. Pay attention or school flyers or email
alerts, you never know it might save your child someday.

Children are precious, yeah they can be tiring and you get that day when you look at the mayhem and wished that you had tied your tubes. But still they are ours to protect and make their childhood last a little bit longer, before they grow up and the big bad world takes over. Be safe, be aware, be a fighter and not a victim