Down with Stranger Danger!

I do not teach my kids "Stranger Danger," and with good reason, follow me for a second...

I am a very tiny person, 5'2" and on the thin side all my life, so picture me before my growth spurt.  Quite old enough to be out past dark, but easy to be seen as otherwise.

I was walking the two blocks home from my friends house. It was fall, and only about 8, so it was not late, but it WAS very dark.  I had seen a vehicle drive past me twice, I noticed it was full of teens the first time and just let it be a fleeting thought.  The second time it passed I made sure to take note and perk up my awareness.  By the time I turned the corner for MY street I noticed it was slowly turning the corner and I heard, "QUICK, GET.." and I didn't hesitate to cut across the grass towards the front door of a home that I didn't know.  I opened the screen door as if I was going to walk in... the kids drove off.

I might have saved myself from being kidnapped that night, or worse.  I might have just been a little paranoid, either way I know the end result was that I was able to make an informed choice of action!  I knew that if I knocked on a strangers door and asked for help that I might be better off.  Knowing that  the danger had passed and I was only 3 doors from my own, I let the screen door close and I went home, across all the yards as opposed to on the sidewalk.

I don't advocate "Stranger Danger," what I ask is that my kids are Aware and Prepared!  They need to pay attention to their surroundings, if they are lost they need to walk up to a stranger and ask for help so I can not have them lost in a sea of faces that look fearful, but they also need to know that they can NOT go into a back room, or vehicle, or other situation where they are going to be taken from public view.  Just because a person has a uniform, does not guarantee that person is a safe face.  Just because they have kids, or have animals, or a badge, does not prevent something bad happening.  They do not need to walk around fearful for their safety at every turn, but they do need to be aware of their safety options!

Many that would prey on children are actually people they ALREADY know, statistically its been proven that predators go after the easy targets that they already know and are close to.  For this reason, we also teach that we have every right over our own bodies and if we need more personal space, no matter who is invading it, we have the right to say NO!  If Aunt Betty wants a big kiss and the kids don't want to, they can say NO!

By empowering our children with awareness, instead of fear, we can help them advocate for themselves and learn to speak up.