A new year approaches. It is historically a time of organizing and planning ahead. It is also a perfect time for putting into action (or reviewing), a simple safety plan for your family. It is easier than you think!
What’s important: Create a list of the important concerns you have for your family. Consider both current concerns (My child is not good about checking in with a safe grown up) and also future concerns (my child will be taking the school bus in the fall). Begin addressing the current concerns and start a plan of action for future concerns. Start planning and practicing how you want to approach them with your child.
Be prepared, not scared:never use scare tactics when talking about safety with your child.
New habits: If you have not started talking to your child about safety on a regular basis, now is the time to start (even as young as 2)!
Set reminders on your calendar if you need to. Help get yourself into a new habit of safety.
Share the “favorite part / least favorite part” of your day. Just find a few minutes each day. This will help to create a place for your child to be able to comfortably talk to you about what is happening in their day (and sharing your day too)! Kids don’t necessarily bring their problems to you in a nice tidy package. It can take months or weeks to divulge little bits and pieces to you, especially if something is bothering them.
Who’s Who?: Review with school age children who the “approved” grown ups are to pick them up from school. For younger kids, practice cell phone numbers and who they can turn to if they need help (safe mom –or dad) with kids. Get to know who they are hanging out with.
Make it fun: Books are a great way to talk about safety with your child. We have great age appropriate book recommendations on safety.
Visit us on our website to find out more about our great books, tips and conversation starters to get you on your way to creating a safety plan in the new year!
About the Author: Kim Estes is the co-founder of the non-profit organization: Parent Education And Child Empowerment (P.E.A.C.E of Mind) www.pomwa.org . Through non fearful techniques and easy to apply parenting strategies they help empower families to be safe. Follow us on Twitter for quick safety tweets!
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