by Bobby Coles

Created on: November 03, 2010   Last Updated: May 01, 2012

The essential key to talking about safety with your child, and not scaring them, is to realize that your parental role is to protect them, and to provide them with wisdom and knowledge about their environment. Inspiring fear is not the proper way to talk about safety, or else you may turn your child into a nervous wreck that is unwilling to try new things. Instead, make sure to explain potential consequences of ignoring safety, and leave a little something to the imagination. Often, the unknown and unexpected is far scarier than reality.

Teaching your children about safety is an absolute must for parents, but it is crucial that you do not scare your child in the process. Having discussions about safety must involve some aspects that children are too young to comprehend, but must be delivered in a manner that is healthy and nurturing. Keeping your child from harm is instinctive, but their innocent young minds should remain precocious for as long as possible. Children do not need to know about all of the horrible things that occur in the world on a daily basis, but they should also not walk around with their heads buried in the sand. A healthy compromise is crucial, and it is imperative that the parents talk to their children about safety, but do not scare them in the process.

The best way to talk about safety with your child and avoiding scaring them is to read them stories that involve peril in some regard, and that the child can understand. The stories should involve plausible scenarios, such as a child crossing the street without looking, not asking an adult for permission to do something, a child running away from a parent in a crowded shopping mall, or a child talking to a stranger. Make certain that the stories turn out fine in the end, because a child may become extremely upset if grave danger comes to the character. There are myriad repercussions associated with ignoring safety, and all avenues must be exhausted. Parents have to find out a way to reach their child in the best possible manner.

While telling stories such as these to your child, emphasize what the character is doing that is wrong, and explain the possible consequences of their actions. As the story unfolds, continue to ask your child for their input, and find out if they comprehend at all that what the character is doing can be detrimental to their health and well-being. Children tend to like stories that involve wonderful happenings, so if the story is not, they may become inquisitive.

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