Search Results for: stranger danger

Teach Kids About Stranger Danger

It seems like every time we turn on the news we hear about another Amber Alert for a child that has been taken. It has been said that nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each and every year. These alarming statistics make me want to hold my son just a little bit tighter each night. It makes me never want my son out of my sight. This week we had an interesting experience that gave me the opportunity to teach my son about stranger danger yet again. We were eating lunch at the mall with some good friends of mine. … Continue reading →

Spring Stranger Danger

The recent record-breaking heat has made it feel more like summer than spring. Earlier this month we started the week wearing winter coats, hats and mittens, and by Friday my second grader was sporting a swimsuit while running through our neighbor’s sprinkler. Go global warming! Yes, the unusually warm weather has many kids jumping for joy. Their bout with cabin fever has come to an abrupt end, and most have been rejoicing in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, this wild spring fling comes with a few drawbacks. With tens of thousands of kids frolicking outside way before school lets out for … Continue reading →

Stranger Danger No Longer the Only Problem

It seems like lately all I am hearing are stories of child sexual abuse. Most of us are well aware of the Penn State scandal involving Jerry Sandusky, a former football coach. There are 10 alleged child victims. Then just this morning I hear on my local news station about the director of communications for the evangelical Lutheran organization, WELS, being arrested for charges of child pornography. Football coaches, religious leaders, teachers…the very ones we entrust our children to, taking advantage of their vulnerability and abusing their powers. Who can you trust anymore? Sadly, we live in a world where … Continue reading →

Stranger Danger and the Preschooler

The good news is that my precious preschooler loves everyone she meets. The bad news is that my precious preschooler loves everyone she meets. From the day she was born I have heaped loads of love on my daughter, and I am not the only one. Family and friends treat her like gold. She is doted on, adored, and treasured. As a result of being showered with an endless supply of positive reinforcement and unconditional love, she is an extremely affectionate child. The flipside to her huggy personality is that she is completely oblivious to the dangers that lurk within … Continue reading →

Stranger Danger versus Relation Sensation

While watching Lemony Snicket’s “A series of Unfortunate Events” for the 500th time since its release onto DVD, I was reminded to take the NAPCAN Child Friendly Challenge. I asked the two Master 10 year-olds what they would require in a child friendly community. Their answers: 1. “friendly people who don’t ask weird questions to find out about you”, 2. “No strangers”. Their answers puzzled me. One child is my son and the other, a son of my colleague. Both children are well versed in protective behaviors with their parents being sexual assault therapists. What are we doing wrong if … Continue reading →

Is Yoga Dangerous?

There is a new report out that is stirring up quite a bit of controversy. The “New York Times” featured an article this past week on the dangers of yoga. Yoga seems to be such a soothing, tranquil form of exercise. So how could something so serene be so dangerous? Well the author of the article stated that a huge amount of injuries result from yoga. This has been met with a great deal of criticism, especially from proponents of yoga who believe that it’s benefits are more than just physical, they extend into emotional and mental areas of an … Continue reading →

Teaching Your Children about Strangers

The homeschooled child is unique in that their interaction with strangers is limited. When they go out into the world, they are usually with a parent or another responsible adult. They have a tendency to naturally trust those around them, and this is wonderful, in that they are able to form friendships, but on the other hand, a child who is too trusting can find themselves in uncomfortable situations. Of course, we can’t be with our children twenty-four hours a day, although I admit, there are times when I wish I could. The world is a scary place and it’s … Continue reading →

Be Aware of Online Dangers

In my last blog I talked about a story that was on Dr. Phil’s show this week “Ask about the Internet.” It was about a man who had been deceived by a woman he met online. Well this show had another segment that emphasized other types of online dangers. This was about a 17-year-old girl who was the victim of a false Facebook profile that was set up. Someone had created a Facebook page that was supposed to be of her which included nude photographs. Now these nude pictures weren’t really of her but the idea that others would think … Continue reading →

Teaching kids about teacher danger

I hate writing about this because I don’t want people to think I am anti teacher. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I think that most teachers are wonderful teachers who would give the shirt off their backs for their students. I would know, I was raised by one. However, it is hard to ignore all of the the incidents of teachers preying on and molesting children. Just this week, a Retired W. Pa. teacher was convicted on sex charges. A columbus Ohio teacher was caught sharing child pornograpy. Also a Florida teacht got 10 years for sex with … Continue reading →

Chubby Babies: Cute or Dangerous?

My daughter was a chunk as a baby. And by chunk, I mean move over Butterball, there’s a new big bird in town. Just look at her: (Count the rolls: My daughter at 6 months.) Much of her girth can be attributed to the fact that during the first six months of her life she was connected to my breasts 24/7. (She was connected 18/7 until she was about 16 months old.) My little plumpy was an eating machine… and she had the figure to prove it. At six months she was in the 95th percentile for weight. (I thought … Continue reading →