Teaching Children when it's Safe to Keep a Secret and when it's not!

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I have a secret! Do I keep it?

This is a great poem to empower children to tell for themselves whether or not a secret is safe to tell. I wrote it for my kids because the safety lessons they learned at school were confusing to them. I came up with a very easy way for them to tell and now that they're grown, they tell me that's what they're going to teach their children because it helped them through making the right choice several times in their lives.

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Dedication 

This poem is dedicated to three of the greatest kids in the world - Capri, Kyleah and JaShawn - who taught me the best way to teach them about secrets!

There are two kinds of secrets... 

There are two kinds of secrets that you need to know...

One is your friend and one is your foe!

The best way... 

The best way to tell you,
how to tell them apart
is to trust in your instincts
and follow your heart.

I wonder if you're worried
about what I will say.
Please trust me, it's easy
to learn it this way.

A good secret... 

A secret that's your friend -
and I wish they all were -
feels so good on the inside
that your heart could just purr.

A party you're planning
to surprise your best friend.
Or a present you're making
for grandma to send.

These are the secrets that you'll want to keep... 

These are the secrets
that you'll want to keep.
Because they're so fun,
that your heart wants to leap!

Bad secrets... 

But a secret that's hurtful
is the kind that's your foe.
It makes you feel confused,
and scared and mad and low.

You can't keep this kind,
if it makes you feel sad.
These secrets you tell!
These secrets are BAD!!!

Did you see something scary? 

You saw a big bully
take your buddy's lunch money.
Your friend was left crying.
The meanie thought it was funny.

The bad boy threatened you,
"You better not tell!"
You're scared now, you're mad.
Your stomach's not well.

The challenge... 

You know you should tell,
but now you're afraid
the bully could hurt you.
A challenge was made!

You need to tell someone -
I tell you - you must!
Find a teacher or parent -
An adult you can trust.

Make a bad secret go away... 

To make a bad secret
just go away
It has to be told
- not tomorrow - TODAY!

What really hurts you
is the fear that's inside.
Once the secret's let out,
it has no place to hide!!!

And the bully whose secret's
been let out of the bag
gets dealt with by grown ups -
you bet - he won't brag!

A secret's a secret,
but there are some you can't keep.
Like the kind forced upon you,
by some big ol' creep.

You're so smart, you learned it already! 

The others are the kind
that make you happy inside -
You keep them as long
as your smile is wide!

See - you've learned it already!
You see the trend!
A bad secret's your foe.
A good secret's your friend!

Fabulous anti-bully books on Amazon.com 

empower your children!

Bobby's Story - Bullies Beware the Power of One

Amazon Price: $14.97 (as of 11/20/2009) Buy Now

I Have a Secret

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Looking Through the Eyes of an Unseen Child - helping them to break the cycle of child abuse

This book is about child abuse recovery. It is also about recognizing a child who thinks no one cares and reaching out to them.

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/20/2009) Buy Now

What Will Set You Free

This book is about helping the adult survivor of a violent childhood recover and reclaim their future by releasing their past.

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/20/2009) Buy Now

Other books by EJ Thornton 

other books by the author of this poem

Angel On Board - A look at life from the other side...

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The Basics of Profitable Publishing - Publishing 101 for the first time author

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Secrets To Creating Passive Income and becoming financially free - even in a slow economy

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I Have a Secret

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Advanced Book Marketing - A very easy way to mass market books effectively - a publisher's insights...

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What did you think about the poem? 

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  • Reply
    Megan Megan Jun 10, 2009 @ 11:00 am
    This is a wonderful poem to help children tell the difference between telling vs. tattling. I work for a child abuse and domestic violence program and we are always looking for ways to encourage children to not be scared to tell a safe person about a bad secret they were threatened to keep. Thank you, EJ for creating this much needed poem to share with all children!
  • Reply
    jccjcc jccjcc Jun 10, 2009 @ 12:16 am
    It can be confusing... we tell our kids not to tattle, or we stress that the truth should always be told no matter what. This little book really helps clarify when it's okay to keep a secret, and when a secret should be shared with a grownup, in a way that's so simple, obvious, and intuitive that even a child understands. I plan to share the secret of this great little book with my kids and grandkids!
  • Reply
    Amy Amy Dec 24, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
    I bought this book for my nephews - it's a great way to start a conversation about safety.
  • Reply
    kyky24824 kyky24824 Dec 2, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
    Wow! i love this poem, it is the perfect way to teach kids about secrets! i will share this with the children in my life!
  • Reply
    kyky24824 kyky24824 Dec 2, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
    Wow! i love this poem, it is the perfect way to teach kids about secrets! i will share this with the children in my life!
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