Keeping Your Kids Safe and Keeping Your Sanity During the Holidays

by guest blogger Kim Estes

helping kids stay safe at Savvy Parents Safe Kids

Ready or not, here they come: The holidays. Along with the holiday season come the relatives and the insane schedules. Even though the holidays are stressful, safety conversations with your child shouldn’t be. However, with recent news reports, parents are concerned and safety is on everyone’s mind. Now is the time to take a moment BEFORE things get too crazy hectic and time becomes too short, to talk to your family and create some common sense safety tips.

Safety while shopping:

• Have a designated spot (a sales counter) to meet older kids if you get separated.

• Younger children should know to look for a “mom with kids” if they get lost

• Have younger kids practice your name and cell phone number

• Remind kids never to leave the store, no matter what!

• Older kids should always take a friend when going to the mall and not leave the premises with anyone

• Kids need to check first with you before going anywhere or accepting gifts

• Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, stores, arcades, or playgrounds

Safety during holiday parties:

• Let your child chose who they wish to show affection to. Do not force them to kiss or hug someone. Kids need to know they have power over their own bodies.

• Check in on kids during large gatherings. Have each adult take 20 minute “shifts” to do a quick walk through the house/yard and check on the kids to make sure that they are doing OK

• Kids should check first with a parent before going off with someone (eg. To play video games in a bedroom or leaving the house to go play)

• If someone is making your child uncomfortable (excessive tickling, hugging, wrestling) intervene on your child’s behalf to end the behavior. Your child needs to know that you will protect them.

Safety conversations with your child will be better received when you keep them short and simple. Never use scare tactics. There will be lots of interaction with family and friends, new experiences and new places. Take time to practice “what if” scenarios with your kids. Taking time to talk safety with your kids will take some of the anxiety out of your holidays.

(c) 2011, Kim Estes. All Rights Reserved.

Views expressed by guest bloggers may not be the views of Washington Parenting Education Network or all of its members. Guest bloggers are wholly responsible for the content of their posts.