Review these questions and answers with your child. This will help your child understand how to respond in various situations.
Q: What if you were walking down the street and a man asks you to come see his puppy? You love puppies, and you have seen the man before because he lives right down the street, do you go with him?
A: No. Without going near the person, you tell him that you need to ask your parent or guardian first. If he tells you he can’t wait for that, it might be a trick to get you to go with him. Run home and tell someone what has happened, and let your parent or guardian accompany you to see the puppy.
Q: What if your coach asks you to come early to practice or stay late after practice, alone, for some special attention? You tell your coach that you have to ask your parents first. Your coach tells you: “Don’t worry, I am sure your dad won’t mind if you got in some extra practice, you don’t need to get his permission. After all, he already knows you are playing for my team, right?” What do you do?
A: Even though coach has told you that it is okay with your parents if you come early for extra practice, do not go until you okay it with your parents yourself. Your parents need to know where you are and who you are with at all times. Your parents also will want to know why you need the extra practice, and make sure other kids are there, as well.
Q: What if your mom’s friend, Bob, buys you the new video game you wanted, but tells you not to tell your mom? He also asks you to keep other secrets that do not make you feel good. What do you do?
A: Although it would be great to have that new video game, it is more important to tell Bob that you must get your mom ’s permission before accepting the gift. Secrets that do not make you feel good are not good secrets to keep, and you should always tell your parent or other trusted adult when someone asks you to keep a secret that makes you feel bad.
Q: What if your new teacher, who you really like, starts to make you feel uncomfortable about your body by touching you in places you do not like? What do you do?
A: It is scary to think that someone you thought you trusted and liked could make you feel uncomfortable or hurt you, but sometimes they can. It is okay to say no and you should always tell someone else if someone is making you feel uncomfortable, hurt or confused about your body. |