11/28/2022
Body safety rules don't take a break for the Holidays.
Here are a few tips to help keep kids safe!
1. Review body safety rules beforehand: your body is your property, no one has a right to touch you in a way that you do not like. You don't have to hug, kiss, be held, or tickled by anyone - even people older than you.
2. Ask your child if there is anyone they will be seeing that makes them feel uncomfortable - for any reason. It's our job to protect our kids - even from the people we know!
3. Pick a safe word: a word your child can use if they need to get your attention about a situation that has made them feel unsafe. For example "I need my vitamin" can be used without calling attention to other people, but can help a child get your attention when they need it.
4. Do check-ins to make sure your kids are safe and participating in appropriate behavior. Yes, even other juveniles are often involved in sexually inappropriate or abusive behaviors with younger or weaker children.
5. Perhaps you want to make going into bedrooms off-limits or lock doors to certain areas that children should not be in. Abuse is perpetrated with people in close vicinity - yes, even during family gatherings and parties.
6. After the gathering, check in with your child. Did your children have fun? Are they talkative about the time they spent? Are they happy? Looking forward to seeing everyone again? Did anyone break a body safety rule?
Have a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving!!
