A magic phrase that might save your child’s life

This is the commonest ruse used to lure children...

We all teach children not to speak to strangers unless they are in the immediate company of and adult, and that’s a good thing. In my dojo, we go one further and tell the kids to keep a good distance between them and any stranger who attempts to talk to them whilst they are on their own – say a couple of arm lengths or more.

The big problem is, we teach our kids to be respectful of authority, and to most kids ANY adult represents authority. Thus, if an adult strikes up a conversation with your child, chances are, they’re going to have trouble politely rebuffing a determined adult. Fortunately, there’s a magic phrase that’s guaranteed to make any adult think twice and you should teach your child this phrase immediately.

The phrase should be delivered in a loud voice and it’s simply this,

“I’m sorry sir/madam but my karate teacher said that I’m not allowed to speak to strangers. I have to meet my dad now.”

The child should then go to the nearest trusted adult, or leave quickly for a place where there are lots of people.

	You need to prepare your kids for a variety of abduction ploys

It works on so many levels. The loud voice draws attention if the encounter occurs in a public place. By addressing the adult using sir or madam, the child eliminates the possibility that the adult will take offence at the way that they are spoken to. At the same time, by attributing the instruction to a karate instructor, it implies the danger of trained resistance should the adult care to risk a physical attack. Last but not least, by saying that they are meeting their dad, there’s a clear suggestion that the dad is nearby, and he could provide additional trouble to any would-be abducter or assaulter.

Of course, it’s worth pointing out, that you should teach your children not to be alone in places where they cannot easily get help..

Go here to downlod Stranger Danger colouring to help re-enforce the message.