how do you teach your child about stranger danger?

I explained to my 5 yr old daughter that not everyone is nice, especially on the inside. That their outsides can look very friendly, and they can sound like the nicest person, but on the inside they can have a black heart. so you can't know just by looking at someone if they are good or not. That is why she is to never go anywhere with anyone without her mommy or daddy knowing. I have run through scenarios of people needing help finding a puppy. Logic is a wonderful thing. I just break it down for her. Who can cover more ground and look in more places? A grown up. why would anyone want a little kid to help and not want them to get their parent's help also?? I have taught her how to scream for help and yell I want my mommy. She knows that she's never to accept anything from anyone without asking me first.

She understands that most people are good, but that we don't know where the bad ones are hiding so we can't take any chances. She knows it's my job to protect her as best I can, and that she has to let me know everything so I can do my job well. She knows she can say hello if I am with her, but that grown ups should know better than to talk to a little kid without a grown up right there. And as far as getting help from someone if she is lost, she is to stay put and ask a woman with children for help, but she is not to go anywhere with her. The woman can always bring the security guard to her. she also knows not to go anywhere where there is not a lot of people with the security guard. She has been told not to worry about offending anyone since all grown ups should know these things and that it's ok to say no.

I do not let my kids out of my sight. The rule is if my eyes can't see you, you are too far away. My daughter also knows our address, phone number, and the name of the highway that can bring her home. My cell phone number is also tucked into her pocket.

the world is a scary place, but she doesn't seem frightened by what I have told her. In contrast, my SIL and brother have told my niece that witches and warlocks will take her away of she talks to strangers. that really pissed me off and I sat her down to explain that it's not people in pointy hats with warts on their noses and green skin who can do her harm.

My daughter is also a blue belt in karate who is now learning how to break free from a grip or hold.

This os one of my greatest fears, as you can probably tell.

Teach them to stand still and wait for you to find them if they're lost. They're not to go looking for you, or talk to anyone but a policeman (mall security guard... they look the same to kids). If someone tries to take them they should scream at the top of their lungs "you're not my mom/dad." This gets serious attention! Just screaming makes them look like a cranky kid with their parent. Make sure she knows your real names (not just mom and dad) and her phone number and your cell numbers. A good trick is to Sharpie them inside all her shoes-- never tried it but saw it in a magazine.

One of the best tips I can give you is this. Have an emergency person that you KNOW you can trust that in an emergency situation will be the one picking your child up from school (if you can't). Explain to your child that this person, and only this person is allowed to pick you up. Your child should not go with anyone, even family members, unless they know the secret family password that you personally gave them. My cousin had a password (Harvey), you can use whatever you like. She would not go with anyone unless they told her the password upon meeting her to pick her up. This was something you would give that relative.

Get yourself a child gps kit. Look it up on the internet. You can get cell phone gps, or tags that have gps built into them that locate your child or someone else can locate your child for you with them. You can also get a an emergency kit for your child that will help with locating them if anything does happen (which I hope nobody ever has to use these): http://www.child-identification-products.com/child...

Basically teach him not to go with anyone, even family, unless you have specified otherwise or they know the secret password or have someone special for emergency pick ups (like only gramma is allowed to pick your child up if something happens to you). Teach your child that if someone approaches them in a vehicle and wants them to get in to tell them to run and tell a person of authority (police, parent, teacher, etc.). If someone tries to grab them they should scream as loud as they can, put up as big of a fight as they can, and do everything they can to get someone else's attention and/or get away. If your child is lost tell them to find an authority figure for help so that they can assist them in finding you.

Check out some of the websites below as they have some good tips. I would also consider going down to a police department and seeing if they can provide you with some dvd's, pamphlets or help you explain to your child about things they can do in those situations. They deal with that type of stuff and will be able to give you the absolute best advice =)

Cops For Kids Safety

http://www.copsforkidssafety.com/content/copsforki...

Talking To Kids About Strangers

http://www.kidsgrowth.com/resources/articledetail....

Stranger Safety

http://life.familyeducation.com/safety/stranger-sa...

Kids think that if they talk to someone that they "know them".

I tell my kids that monsters do exist but they look just like everyone else.

I also tell them I'd be sad forever if they ever went away because I love them so much.

I scare them by saying if they walk away from me in a store that someone could steal them and never bring them back. It makes them stay but I usually have to repeat it to them every so often because kids for get.

It might sounds awful to most parents but I will do anything to teach them to be safe and stay with me.

I'd also like to know what other parents tell their kids.

Don't sugarcoat it or they wont take you seriously. My mother taught me from a very young age DO NOT TALK TO PEOPLE YOU DO NOT KNOW. She also told me that if a man were to grab me, I should scream as loud as I possibly can and start kicking. She didn't sugarcoat a thing for me, and I took it seriously.

for getting lost in the store part. make sure to tell them to find somebody with a name tag on from that store. i remember my family telling me to find a trusted adult and thats not a very good idea because its normally thats the person that takes them. so always say the name tag part.

very good question! b/c i have a 4 year old.. sorry im no help... b/c id like to know too!