Home » Parenting & Kids » General Parenting » Parenting Techniques

How to Teach your Child what to do if Abducted

6 Comments
- Guestbook Comments
- Poll

11 Like

Like 11

Pin It

Ranked #7,640 in Parenting & Kids, #264,094 overall

Child abuctions do happen

Even though your child is in greater danger by traffic hazards than the possibilities of being abducted, your child still needs to know what to do if they are approached by someone and even if they are grabbed. Going over the rules often, helps a child know what to do automatically and helps clear up any confusion that your child might have.

Tell your child what to do if approached by an adult
Never leave with an adult
Teach your child with a game
Teach your child to fight back
Teach your child not to be walk alone
Teach your child where there is a safe house
Guestbook Comments
Poll
Video of an attempted abduction
Video Module
See how easy it is for someone to lure your child away
Video Module
Girl fights off kidnapper in Georgia Walmart
Read more at Missing Persons of America

Tell your child what to do if approached by an adult

Don't assume that your child knows what to do when approached by a stranger. First they might not see the person as a stranger, if the person is asking for their help to find their puppy, or if they are asking them if they want a piece of candy. The rule should be that they should always ask you before accepting anything with anyone or going anywhere with anyone.

Never leave with an adult

Teach your child to never leave the school grounds with another adult, no matter what they tell them. Tell your child to go to their classroom teacher or principal if someone tells them that are to go with them after school, even if they say, you said it was okay. Make it clear to your child that you would never send anyone to pick them up, or the only person that would pick them up other than you would be dad or grandma.

Teach your child with a game

Play the "What if" game as suggested by the Polly Klaas Foundation. Ask you child, "What if someone ask if you would like candy or what if a person asked you to look for their puppy?" Listen to their answer as it will let you know what you need to clear up any confusion on, and what they do not know.

Teach your child to fight back

Don't just tell you child what to do, show them what to do if they are grabbed. If there are people around, tell them to yell, "No, you're not my dad," and resist. Grab your child around their wrist or shoulder's and have them fight to get away. Children are taught to not be aggressive or violent, and they may need some coaxing to fight against an adult. Showing children videos on how to fight, that are specially made for children, can be found on YouTube.

Teach your child not to be walk alone

Teach your child prevention is always good and making sure your child learns to not put themselves in a situation where they are alone. They should always be with at least one child when they are walking home or standing at a bus stop. If they find themselves without a buddy, because the buddy went home early or was sick, then plan what to do in that situation. Such as telling your child to go to the school office and have them call you, or alerting the teacher their walking buddy is not there that day.

Teach your child where there is a safe house

Take your child to several neighbor houses that you have already established as a "safe houses." This is where your child will go if they feel they are in danger or hurt themselves, or witness something that scares them or calls for the need of an adult. You might even ask your neighbor to put a red star in their window, and teach you child to look for the star, as when they are scared they may be confused and not remember which house they are suppose to go to.

Guestbook Comments

Reply

veryirie Apr 18, 2012 @ 2:24 am | delete

Every parent or grandparent should read this page! Excellent info.

Reply

Upon-Request Feb 22, 2012 @ 9:41 am | delete

Important information for every parent! I think there's too many out there that assume it can't happen to them.

Reply

Showpup Feb 17, 2012 @ 2:05 pm | delete

Great information! It is a scary world. We played the what if game with our kids and we practiced different methods of getting away from would-be kidnappers. Another thing we taught them was learned from someone who was abducted and saved when she was placed in a trunk of a car. She kicked out the taillight as they went down the road and stuck her arm out to flag for help. A motorist behind them called 911 and gave the vehicle description, location and license number. They located her and saved her from a potentially life threatening situation because she was quick witted enough to think to kick out the taillight.

Reply

joycetmann Feb 17, 2012 @ 1:06 pm | delete

This is SO important. Thank you for tips on how to avoid child abduction.

Reply

vallain Feb 13, 2012 @ 8:47 pm | delete

How sad that this is necessary. Teaching about stranger danger could save the family much heartache. Well done.

Reply

KonaGirl Feb 13, 2012 @ 9:21 am | delete

Teaching your child about abduction is an extremely important thing to do these days. We seemed to be plagued by these creeps much more than we were when I raised my children. Letting them know not to leave school with another adult even if they know the adult is important too. Often the perverts are someone the child knows.