Comments on: Teach Your Kids to be Survivors, not Prey!

By: Tricia

Tricia — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:26:20 +0000

When my son was about 6 years old, he had a really bad habit of lagging behind us while walking through walmart especially because 2 of my sisters worked there and he always wanted to talk to them. One day I got really tired of trying to keep him walking with the family and let him stay in the toy aisle. While my husband and daughter continued walking and talking, (son thought they were still close because he could hear them), I doubled back and came up behind him. I swooped in, put my hand over his mouth, swept him off his feet and growled in his ear "don't make a sound". He was terrified. After a minute or so, (and my husband freaking out because he thought I was going to jail for kidnapping), I let him know it was me. He didn't stray again. Harsh lesson, but I know he pays more attention to surroundings now and knows how quickly he could be taken. Now he is a teen and much too big for me to "kidnap" but we still have survival lessons.

By: Susan D

Susan D — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:31:17 +0000

I have to show my two kids this. They would laug and then they might be in shock that there could possibly be any other person in this world that is like their own mom. They might actually be a little afraid. Kidding. When my kids were growing up I had no choice but to preach/lecture at any opportune moment. Using whatever tools the world threw my way. Be it something on tv or the lone girl walking down the street on her own cell phone. Thank you so much for having this site and for helping me feel not alone in my own work, to get my family to a better stance as well as anyone who might listen. I love your site. You are the one doing all the hard work. Now all I have to do is share your site with anyone interested.

By: Melonie K

Melonie K — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:41:11 +0000

Great post and some great ideas in the comments as well! I've had similar conversations with my daughter, also age 8, who has asked at various times why I leave more room between my car and the one in front of me when other drivers are tailgating, as well as why I stand a certain way in public, why I watch around us at the park, and any number of other behaviors that she has noticed me performing that other parents are not.

By: high_v0ltage

high_v0ltage — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:08:56 +0000

Good post, the only thing I might add is to keep it simple, the military has this down to an art form.

In our case I teach 3 things in this order: eyes, throat and groin. The first goal is to blind so make the first attack count, then to obstruct breathing and lastly if not able to do the first two go for the groin. Since I have 3 daughters I always teach them early that contrary to some self defense classes that are publicized you cannot overpower or 'control', disabiling the attacker to mitigate the attack is option one. One other item that might help give them an appreciation is for your husband to give them a full on push and/or forceful tackle with his weight. Make sure there is plenty of padding on their person or the ground. My daughters got a deeper appreciation for the power a man can wield when I did that with them once.

By: debbie

debbie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:41:38 +0000

Right on Lisa .My children are very aware and has also received similar lectures..side note
I have told my children not to yell "Help" but to give information or instruction. For example "This is not my dad
I am being taken!" or "Call 911 Now!" and to yell out their first name. This will scare off the abductor and at the same time the eyewitness(s) can call 911 w/ a description and a name. My son is trained in self defense and in turn has instructed his sister. Great post!