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TEACHING YOUR CHILD:
Many parents worry about how to even begin teaching their children about such scary subjects as child abduction or sexual abuse. Let's see if we can make this process easier on you.
First, you need to look at the age and comprehension level of the child involved. A teenager, for example, is going to comprehend more on an advanced level than a five or six year old. But that doesn't mean that you can't successfully educate a younger child. Your approach to educating the younger child just has to be more simplistic and basic.

DON'T SCARE THEM! Educate them. Keep a calm, reassuring tone in your voice when you speak. When dealing with sexual abuse, you don't have to get detailed as to specific areas and methods of touching. Just tell them that no one, NOT EVEN AN ADULT, has the right to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. Also, always tell them what to do if someone should ever approach them. Let them know that even if it happens to be a close friend of theirs, that you want to know about it, and that you won't get angry at them. Be open with your child, and they will be open with you.
Older children are able to comprehend more than younger children and the subject can be dealt with in more detail. Encourage open discussion within your family. |