As I was getting ready this morning, I caught a segment on the "Today" show about child abduction. They had staged a child being abducted by a man. The girl, probably 9 or 10 at least, yelled for help and for the man to get away from her. Several people walked by without doing a thing. They said it took nearly an hour before the "abductor" was approached by two younger men.
What is wrong with people?
Children don't just scream for help for no reason. Sure they may yell at their parents if they don't want to do something. They may tell their parents they hate them. But a specific cry for help is different. At the very least, you owe it to everyone involved to contact police or the nearest security guard. But you shouldn't just keep walking on by. The risks are just too great.
On the show, they mentioned some tips for helping your children in dealing with strangers or if someone tries to take them.
1. Try role-playing. Practice with them as if you are the stranger. Then flip things around and practice as though you were the kid and they are the stranger.
2. Tell them to fight back and scream, no matter what. This will often cause the attacker/abductor to think you're too much trouble.
3. Tell them to stick to main roads/areas of travel. Often abductions happen when kids take a shortcut through an alley or behind a store.
4. Tell them not to talk on a cell phone or listen to music while you're walking. Be aware of your surroundings.
5. Tell them to walk with other kids or with a dog, but never to walk alone.
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On a totally different note -- don't forget that Sunday is National Grandparents' Day! Make some time then to celebrate the grandparents around you.