BILL CORBETT
What measures have you put into place to help keep your child safe from abductions? Established in 1983, the National Missing Children’s Day was established by President Ronald Reagan to bring attention to the growing problem of child abductions in the United States. The commemoration of this day brought attention to an increasing problem across the country.
One day when I was a young teenager, my mother sent me down the road to a local motel where we all used to go to swim in their pool for 10 cents. She sent me to retrieve my younger brother who was swimming with his friends. As I rode my bike into the gravel driveway of the old motel, I saw a man standing with my little brother in the parking lot. When I called my brother’s name, the man quickly got into his car and drove away. My brother got mad at me because he said the man was going to give him a free gift and I scared him away.
Having this frightening incident burned into my memory, I made it a point to help my own children memorize our address and phone number in the event that they ever became separated from us and needed help. I put the information to tunes the kids could sing and remember the important information. We use to sing these songs whenever we went on long evening walks to the park.
I received a call from my local NBC affiliate late one evening, asking if I could come to the studio for an on-camera interview at 5 a.m. The producer informed me that a young girl was abducted from her front yard in the early evening hours in a busy neighborhood. The producer wanted me to offer parents tips for keeping their own children safe in the wake of this heartbreaking news. Here are just some of the tips I offered to the early morning news viewers.
Our parents told us never talk to strangers. That rule needs to be updated for children today because most predators of young children are adults the child already knows. Predators are likely to put themselves in situations where they have easy access to children and a high percentage of them are employed, married and have children of their own.
Common lures of children are still offers for sweets, lost pets and an adult needing help with directions. Tell your children that adults never ask children for directions or for help. They are supposed to ask other adults for help. Reinforce a strong rule that children should never answer a knock at the door without an adult being with them.
Don’t think that getting your child a cellphone is the end all to keeping them safe. It becomes useless once they are overpowered. Education and information may be the most powerful safeguard for your child. Talk to them about appropriate touch and that if anyone tries to touch them in places that make them feel uncomfortable, they can tell Mom and Dad immediately.
Finally, check out everyone your child may come in contact with. It may be uncomfortable to demand background checks on spouses, siblings and older children of adults who will be caring for your child at the day care or at sleepovers, but your child’s safety is worth it. Never drop your child off at a home without getting to know the adults who will care for or watch your child. Remember, predators are usually someone your child knows or has met.
Bill Corbett has a degree in clinical psychology and is the author of the award winning book “Love, Limits, & Lessons: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Cooperative Kids,” in English and in Spanish. He is happily married with three grown children, two grandchildren, and three step children. You can visit his Web site www.CooperativeKids.com for further information and parenting advice.
