Has anyone started this? We have a loon that is in the next city over trying to pick up kids, and I have no trouble telling the girls that I babysit (2nd and 3rd grade) , but when it comes to my kids 2,3 I feel I need to say something in case someone comes up behind them at the store or something. I just don't know how to put it so they will understand, or scaring them too much. anyone else out there have any advice ?

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

I don't know maybe I am wrong but I think you should be as honest as can be with a child. I know you don't want to scare the crud out of them but I don't know at what age they FULLY start to understand. They are children and very gullable and even though you tell them something sometimes they still don't listen, so that is why I think being very blunt and honest is the best route to go.

I think sometimes you have to put a little fear there KWIM?

Our rule was that "If Mom or Dad has not had the person over for dinner or coffee" then you should never go with them....... Secret words/phrases are good for older children but sometimes I feel that they can be hard for the little ones to remember... I would not scare them by saying this or that person is "bad" and you should avoid them, be more postive and let them know who you can speak to when appraoched........

When my kids were young We had a secret code.It was somthing simple they could remember..
Under no cirmcustance they are to go anywhere with a stranger ..Keep their distance when a stranger tries to approache them...If he tries to get them to go with them...back away and yell ."Help Me...You not my dad" .......I told them if the stranger gets them.... Bite hard ... poke their eyes. I also gave them sitatutions on how a stranger may try to trick them..such as Mommy & Daddy was in wreck and are in the hospital we must go,I lost my puppy& etc..

My ds& his friend was aprroached by guy in a car right at my house He was trying to get them to go with him..My ds back away & told his friend to get back...and yelled whats the code? When the guy didn't know the code..Both came running into my house and told me & my friend what had just happen..Horror went thru me...I could not believe this happen right out in my own front yard We called the police they came out... the kids explain eveything to them..The police didn't do anything!!!! I asked if they are going to look for him..He said No the guy is long gone by now,,If he comes back call us.. He said, I think the kids imagation just ran wild because the car has different colors & etc......I couldn't prove it but a week later a teenager girl was snatched and killed serval cities over from me..The witness describe everything matching my ds subscription of the car and the person


Now that the kids are teenager..I taught them to carry the keys pointed downward incase someone tries to force them into a car...use your keys as a weapon strick the eyes with them...I really want them to carry pepper spray but here I think it is illegal...I have told them not to get into any car with anyone even if they have a gun. after hearing a police dective who investgates murders & etc explaining why...Once you get into a vechile the chances are they are driving you to a secluded location to commite the crime & leaving you for dead. He said if they do shoot you ..you're in a public location where you can get help quickly and have a better chance surviving

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Angels may not come when you call them, but they'll always be there when you need them.

I just saw an ad on TV where Mike Walsh ( of America's Most Wanted) has put together a very child friendlly Stranger Danger video, I just do not know the name of it at this moment. You might find a link to it on America's Most Wanted.

I think that it is more then stranger danger. First most people that do something bad to a child is someone they know either a family friend or a relative. So you can't just tell them about strangers but about everyone. Also just because a person has been to your house you may not want them taking your child somewhere. They would not be a stranger and the child would go with them and trust them. When my children were small I never said you can't talk to strangers because they would be always be with me and that was OK. I would just say in the store you don't go anywhere without me. Teach them that nobody should touch them where their bathing suit covers. This goes for strangers or people they know. And if a child is uncomfortable sitting on someones lap or giving a kiss don't make them. And that if someone tells them to keep a secret that there is no secrets that mommy can't be told. As a child gets older then you can tell them more.