As parents we often tell our children not to talk to strangers. We continually warn
them of the dangers that strangers present. Parenting for stranger danger also
includes teaching children about talking to right strangers if they get lost and when
it is okay to approach a stranger.
Last summer we went to a water park. I had to go the restroom and left my husband with
the three kids. My son was playing in the sandbox and noticed that I was gone but
didn’t see my husband. As a result he left. When I came back he was gone. I of course
was feeling panicky and started calling and searching for him. A few minutes later I
saw him with a water park employee headed for the office. He said that he was wandering
around and a lady asked him if he was lost. When he said yes she helped him find a park
employee.
After that experience I realized that I needed to review how he should approach a
stranger if he needed help.
You can help your child get comfortable asking strangers for help by practicing in
a safe environment. Have your child talk to a stranger while you observe. You might
have them ask a stranger what time it is or directions to a place close by.
Teach your child that they should find an employee. When you are go different places
point out the employees, they typically are in uniform, which your child can recognize.
If an employee isn’t near by then they should approach a mother with kids or a grandpa
or grandma. Not only are these people less likely to be a child predator but they are
more likely to be willing to help a child who is lost.
If your children are a little older set a predetermined spot to meet if your child
gets lost. Whenever we went to an amusement park or the mall my parents would tell us
to meet at a certain spot if we got separated. The few times that it happened we were
glad that we knew what to do.
In the modeling world and in everyday life as well children often meet strangers.
Because we so often rehearse, the fear of a stranger’s danger may make your child wary
of meeting new people. You can practice with them how to approach people that they
don’t know. Teach them to shake hands and introduce themselves by saying something like,
“Hi, my name is…” Explain that it is okay to approach strangers when you are with them.
That they don’t need to be afraid of people that they don’t know as long as you are there.
While parenting about stranger danger, it is also important to teach children about
approaching and talking to a stranger when needed.
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