In this ever-connected world, technology has made it possible for people to communicate and share information instantly and anywhere in the world! This is great as long as you are using it right!
Too often, however, we as parents forget that technology can be a dangerous tool when used improperly. As parents, our jobs go beyond just teaching our kids how to use an iPad or computer program correctly — they must also learn about safety online.
It is very important to teach your children what types of content they should look at and monitor before going online. They need to know what to expect and who their peers are looking up info from.
This article will talk more in depth about some ways to help keep your child safe while they are online.
Lock your doors and windows at night
The best way to protect your family from potential intruders is to make sure that all of the main entrances into and exits from your home are locked up at night!
This includes both internal and external doors and windows. Make it a rule that you do not leave your house unless everything is securely closed and locked.
Always carry your cell phone with you when leaving the house and try to use public transport or take a taxi rather than your own car. This will help limit access to your cars, and if needed there is always accessible transit available in most major cities.
If possible, avoid spending time outside during dark and/or stormy weather as this can increase exposure to crime.
Teach your children about stranger danger
As we all know, kids are curious by nature. They want to learn and explore everything from putting toys away to asking questions about how things work. This is great as long as you teach them appropriate ways to behave!
But sometimes they need help figuring out what is okay and not okay. Kids may encounter strangers in or outside of school. Some might even meet people online or through social media.
It’s important for parents to be aware of these types of situations so that they can talk to their kids about them. And it’s equally important for kids to understand some basic safety rules when such encounters occur.
Teach your kids the three C’s: caution, communication and consider yourself responsible. These tips will help ensure their family safety.
Get your family’s mental health evaluated
It is not uncommon for there to be conflict in a househouding situation, whether it is over who gets to stay with their parents or if one parent needs to leave the home.
If you notice warning signs of serious mental illness in an otherwise healthy person, get help early. This could save lives.
Many health professionals can assess mental and emotional well-being and identify symptoms of mental disorders. Some conditions have initial treatment that includes medication or therapy.
Some tips before leaving: Make sure all important documents are protected and easily accessible, and give yourself enough time to find new housing and employment.
Avoid making any expensive purchases, like plane tickets, while you’re stressed out. That could add to the worries later when you need to reevaluate how you spend money.
Talk to your kids about your feelings
A lot of parents get into trouble because they don’t talk to their children about how they’re feeling.
Parents who struggle with anger usually don’t speak up about it, which can make things worse for them.
When a child does something that makes you feel bad or uncomfortable, the best way to deal with it is by talking to him or her!
Talking to your kid about why you’re angry or what you’re thinking helps him/her understand you better and gives him/her some tips on how to handle situations like this in the future. It also reminds both of you that he/she is not perfect and needs help understanding important relationships.
Parenting is a tough job, but one that most parents need to do at some point. When we’re having a hard time, chances are our kids know there’s a reason for it.
They may be young, but they’ll learn from these lessons just as much if not more than us.
Tell your kids you love them
Sometimes, in very difficult situations, parents get so focused on protecting their child from harm that they forget to protect their children from those who may try to influence them.
This can sometimes mean letting go of control or giving up on parenting as usual. It can also mean putting safety first at the expense of connecting with your kid.
If this is you, know that it’s not your fault. You’re just doing what any good parent would do — keep your kid safe!
But if you want to be a successful parent, you have to let go of some things too. You have to start trusting others more and investing less energy in empty relationships. This includes friends, relatives, and even teachers and coaches.
It can feel like a hard lesson, but one that will make you happier person later on. Because beyond family, you’ll find that there are few other important relationships in your life.
Be aware of potential danger signs for kids and take action if you notice anything suspicious. Also talk about how to deal with such dangers ahead of time, so your kids won’t need to worry when these incidents occur.
Be consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to protecting your family’s safety. Make sure everyone has their appointments, show up for work every day, and stick to our regular routines.
If you notice any warning signs or changes in behavior, do not hesitate to speak with friends, coworkers, and family members about how you feel about these developments.
It may be difficult at first, but they will hopefully help you address the problem and get assistance for yourself and others.
Running into more trouble because of this can have serious consequences that could hurt or even kill someone else. So, try to put aside your personal feelings and focus on keeping your loved ones safe.
Do not allow anyone extra access to your house, car, or kid if they seem out-of-place, nervous, or uncomfortable with such restrictions. If you are able to confirm they are who they say they are, then limit their contact with the children and/or start monitoring them while they are around kids.
This way, you can quickly identify potential risks before things escalate.
Keep your phone near you
Even if you don’t use technology at home, you should still keep your cell phone with you while you’re at work so that you can access it.
This way, you will be able to check messages and/or talk to people about your day when you get back from work.
It also helps to show proof of employment, as most employers require this before giving you permission to disconnect during working hours.
Make sure to either leave your phone in your car or somewhere safe where no one has access to it.
Never put your phone in your pocket or bag without knowing who else had access to it. This is very common thing perpetrators do to avoid being caught.
Tell your partner how you feel
If you have noticed changes in your relationship, or if their actions indicate that they do not want to be together anymore, then it is time to talk about what happens next.
If you are having trouble deciding whether or not this is the right thing to do, don’t worry! There are many ways to break up, and most people never get hurt as a result of breaking up.
Breaking up is hard no matter who you are, but there are ways to handle it better. Talking through any problems you may have will help you work out why things got bad and what can be done to move forward from here.
It will also give you time to think about other relationships, so that you don’t make the same mistake twice.