3 Easy Ways to Help Your Grandchild Stay Safe from Lauren’s Kids
There is nothing like the carefree joy of childhood, and the warmth of a grandparent’s hug. Yet parents and grandparents can’t always be around to make sure a child stays safe. That’s why it’s important to arm children with tools they need for safety.
While 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will become a victim of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday, 95 percent of this abuse CAN be prevented through education and awareness. To help, Lauren’s Kids, a non-profit foundation that prevents abuse and helps survivors heal, has released the FREE “Blueprint for Building Safer, Smarter Families” activity packs to help teach personal safety. Within the activity packs, you will find safety activities, tips and tools, including the following 3 easy ways to help your grandchild stay safe:
-
Create a Trusted Triangle
To help identify trusted adults, go over your grandchild’s Trusted Triangle- a list of three adults who make them feel the most comfortable and safe. This can be placed on the fridge at their parent’s house and at your house, so they can be reminded of the adults they can go to when they feel unsafe or scared.
-
Practice the “I Mean Business Voice”
Help your grandchild practice their “I Mean Business Voice”- an authoritative voice designed to help them feel heard. Have them practice saying phrases like “Stop! That is not safe!” Remind your grandchild they can use this voice when they feel uncomfortable or scared.
-
Talk About Personal Space
Help your grandchild understand personal space by discussing Safe and Unsafe Touches. Let your grandchild tell and show you the boundaries of their personal space and respect that! Don’t force your grandchild to kiss, hug or sit on the laps of friends, relative and other adults. Instead, teach them their body is special and belongs to them – so it’s OK to provide respectful alternatives like giving high fives.
Families can learn more strategies by ordering a FREE “Blueprint for Building Safer, Smarter Families” packet at shop.laurenskids.org. To learn more about preventing abuse and helping survivors heal— visit LaurensKids.org.
ABOUT LAUREN’S KIDS
Lauren Book, Lauren’s Kids’ founder and CEO, was a victim of childhood sexual abuse for six years at the hands of her female nanny. Armed with the knowledge that 95 percent of sexual abuse is preventable through education and awareness, Lauren has worked to turn her horrific personal experience into a vehicle to prevent childhood sexual abuse and help other survivors heal.
An official 501(c)(3) since 2007, Lauren’s Kids is based in South Florida and educates adults and children about sexual abuse prevention through in-school curricula, awareness campaigns and speaking engagements around the country and the world. The organization also leads an annual, statewide “Walk in My Shoes” awareness walk across the state of Florida – 1,500 miles from Key West to Tallahassee – and provides more than 9-10 million education and awareness materials statewide through direct mail every year. The foundation has helped advocate for the passage of nearly two dozen laws to support survivors and protect children from predators. The ultimate goal is to prevent sexual abuse through education and awareness, and to help survivors heal with guidance and support.
