This blog is meant to educate not to scare you. As parents we are doing the best that you can to raise great kids. As long as evil exits we can always do better, and be warned of the dangers that our kids face:
Now I am a mom and I think a pretty good one. Having kids in this world these days has created the most anxiety. Our entire purpose is to raise children that are healthy, supported, and safe. Now what I am about to talk about is super serious. As we progress into holidays and gatherings it’s important for all parents to be vigilant about your children. Know where they are, who they are with. Stop having familiar relationships that you put a wall up because you think your friend, uncle, aunt, cousin, etc would never. I do not prescribe to that notion. Everyone is a suspect as far as I am concerned. Not that I have ever had to wonder about anyone around my kids thus far. Know I am not a blind parent to put more stock on relationships with folks over my kids.
Holidays and Safety Plans
First of all raise your children with the proper names of their body parts. If you ask my kids they not only know all of the cute names parents give their kids but they know the names of their body and especially their sexual organs. Man-mans can only take you so far when you are teaching your son to know where his penis is and to know what a good touch and a bad touch is.
Same for my girls they know they have a vagina and have been able to say it properly since they could talk. I read a story a few years ago about a man who raped a girl who was around 3 and he got less time because the girl couldn’t properly say if she was penetrated vaginally or anally. How sick that someone’s lawyer was able to get a child molester less time with that notion?!
It forever changed how I raised my kids and this was before I even had them. I might have been pregnant with my oldest. I know some parents don’t agree but for me it’s important to empower them to know from the gate that anybody who touches them in a bad touch way is going to get the business from me and their father and I mean on site.
Holidays and Gifts and Personal Space
I check my kids when they come from other people’s house, have open and honest age appropriate conversations, as well as make sure they know that anything they tell me I believe. I also don’t force them to hug and kiss people to spare adults feelings. No they don’t and won’t sit on your lap cause you bought them a gift. The appropriate response is thank you, not a lap sit. They don’t and won’t be made to be feel as if they owe you a kiss regardless of your relationship just so you can feel like an outstanding adult.
Work on your own emotions. I have had family members say they need to give (insert relationship) a hug and as their parent I step up to the plate and kindly and politely let folks no, they don’t have to. I teach my kids to acknowledge them so in our house a hi, a hand wave is good and appropriate until they are comfortable. Some kids need time to warm up. Whatever the reason there is apprehension from my child, I just watch. Kids have more sense than some adults and the vibes they feel is often not wrong.
Forcing Kids to Interact during the Holidays and Beyond
The number one reason why I don’t force my kids is that I want them to know they have power over their bodies at all times in hopes they keep that power and if God forbid someone tries to take their power from them, it won’t be because they were being groomed by me to allow certain behaviors to continue that they were uncomfortable with from the gate. I do not devalue their feelings on vibes they receive from adults. My kids have said, why did (insert family) act like that, say that, etc.
They know. We tell them there is no secrets policy as well. We have told them that if someone says don’t tell, to tell us anyway. Kids aren’t wrong for speaking up. Now with all of that background there could be an adult male or female that may try to take their precious innocence. I pray that it NEVER happens but will publicly state that my husband is licensed to carry so let’s keep it at just that.
Watch your Kids
Sometimes as you venture to homes to celebrate the holidays, you start to let the kids roam off. Be careful of that. Not to scare you but you’re number one job at ALL times is to protect your kids. So be vigilant in where they are. Make sure you know who they are with and around. Don’t be so intoxicated, miscalculating, etc that you let your guard down. I know of children who were daily sexually abused, mistreated, preyed upon, missing, etc.
I know I can’t protect them every second of the day. Along with my husband, we are doing the best we can to ensure that they know they matter. They should be respected. All kids should be heard. Anyone who challenges me about their safety will simply not be around them. Our kids are precious, all kids are, and you can bet we will try not to allow foolery to happen. So enjoy the holidays, but be careful that someone doesn’t prey on their innocence and use this jolly time as an occasion to take what didn’t belong to them.
