What Should Your Child Do If She Gets Lost?

Teach Your Child: Stay Put!

Though most safety information is geared toward children ages 5 and older, experts agree you should talk to your preschooler about safety now. "It's never too soon as long as you're approaching the topic in a developmentally appropriate way," says Walter Gilliam, PhD, director of the Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy, at Yale University.

While it's true that most preschoolers don't play outside or walk around alone, they still need clear information about what to do if they become separated from you in public. Here's a five-point safety plan taken from various experts and recommended for young children.



While most parents teach their kids to never go with a stranger, their understanding of this concept is often murky. Gilliam explains, "Preschoolers think of a stranger as someone who's 'scary' or 'bad,' so a friendly or nice person may not be seen as a threat by a young child."

Samantha Wilson, a former police officer who founded kidproofusa.com, says that teaching our kids "don't talk to strangers" is actually the biggest mistake parents make. "Instead, we have to teach kids never to go anywhere with anyone without asking their parents' permission first." This is the lesson we should reinforce as soon as we begin speaking to children about safety. It's clear and easy to understand, even for preschoolers.

Teach Your Child to Call Your Name -- Your Real Name

If your lost child is shouting, "Mommy!" it can be difficult to distinguish her voice among other children calling for their moms. According to Joselle Shea, manager of children and youth initiatives at the National Crime Prevention Council, preschoolers should learn the first and last names of their parents or any other of their caregivers. "You have to repeat this information to children over and over again to help them remember it. Then if they ever become lost, they can tell someone who their parents are."

Gilliam suggests getting your child interested in learning your name by presenting it as something very special. "Ask your children if they know your real name, the name other grown-ups use for you. The more important and empowering the information seem to preschoolers, the quicker they'll be willing to learn it."

Some parents worry that encouraging children to yell for help will make them easy targets for predators. Not so, Wilson says. "Predators are looking for the kid who is not drawing attention. The kid yelling for her mom is too much trouble.

Teach Your Child to Ask Another Mom for Help

If your child becomes separated from you, stays put, and calls your name but you don't return, then the next step is to ask for help. This is another reason we can't tell our children never to talk to strangers. Children this age should ask another mother with children for help, Wilson suggests. (Older children can learn to ask police officers or store clerks, but preschoolers can't yet distinguish uniforms from other types of dark clothing.)

"Statistically, a mother with children is the safest bet for your kid," Wilson says. "Women will generally commit more time to helping your child because men are afraid that if they help they'll be targeted as a predator." The first rule still applies, though. Teach your children to stay where they are, yell your name, and ask women nearby for help.

Talk About Safety in Your Daily Life

One of the biggest roadblocks to your child's safety is your uncertainty about how to approach the subject. Wilson says it best: "We have to keep our fears in perspective and talk to our kids calmly about how to keep safe."

Sherryll Kraizer, PhD, author of The Safe Child Book, likens the task to teaching kids how to cross the street. "We don't say to a kid, 'See that truck? It's trying to run you down!' Instead, we give kids positive, empowering rules for safe behavior, rather than pointing out all the things that could hurt them. You should do the same with personal safety."

"Try to talk to your children in small, frequent bits, especially during teachable moments," says Dr. Strauss. "For example, when you're at the mall and it's very crowded, ask your 3-year-old what she would do if the two of you got separated. Then you can suggest the simple steps for safety." And in every conversation about safety, reassure your child, Wilson stresses. "The most important thing you should tell your child is, "If we get separated, I will find you, so stay calm and follow the safety rules."

Role-Play with Your Child

Talking about safety is key, but as anyone who's tried to explain something to a preschooler knows, you often end up in a circle of whys. But why should I call your name? So I can find you. But why should you find me? Because you're lost. But why am I lost? Aaargh!

A better approach is to practice through role-playing. However, kids this age are easily traumatized, Gilliam warns, so acting out being lost has to be positive and empowering rather than scary. "Focus on positive things kids can do to find a parent rather than how they can stop a bad adult from taking them away," Gilliam says.

At home or even in safe public spaces, let your children pretend to get separated from you; then work through the steps of staying put and yelling your name. Joselle Shea suggests getting a friend involved so your kids can practice asking another mother for help.

More Safety Ideas

* A mother of a 2-year-old in Brooklyn, New York, wrote her cell phone number inside her daughter's shoe. Then she taught her daughter that if they got separated, it was okay to show a grown-up the number.
* There are many forms of kid identification that you can buy. Visit mypreciouskid.com for bracelets, tags, and more (or call them at 800-381-4577).
* Read safety books to your child that is reassuring, such as Berenstain Bears Learn about Strangers



* Check out the "parents" section of the National Crime Prevention Council web site, ncpc.org. Under "topics" is a section on "strangers" that helps clarify how you can teach children, as they grow, about identifying safe strangers and recognizing dangerous situations.

Originally published in the August 2008 issue of American Baby magazine.

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Important Single Parenting Tips

By: Low Jeremy

Have you ever seen yourself in a situation wherein you would have to raise your child on your own? Have you fully understood the impact of this circumstance in your entire life? Single parenting is not easy at all. If couples encounter difficult situations in rearing their children, how much more having to raise a kid all by yourself?

You can never say that taking care of a child is a piece of cake. You have to teach a child how to aim in the toilet, hold the spoon to feed himself or herself, gargle when brushing, and many others. As he or she starts with school, you should attend the programs and activities that your child will be joining in. Recitals, dictation tests, quiz bees, dances, and the likes would always require your presence. And this only goes to show that your time is necessary and single parenting can make it a bit hard on your part.

What if you are a middle class parent and you don t have much means to provide your child with everything that he or she needs? How will you go about all the expenses then? Again, this is another challenge to single parenting. It is your conscience that you will be going against as you may always think that you are a failure in this aspect.

Hence, a sense of guilt oftentimes cuts deep into the heart of any parent. When it comes to single parenting, one doesn t fully know whether he or she is already giving more. At the end of it all, you as the parent are always asking the same question over and over again as to whether you are doing well enough in promoting the happiness of your child and ensuring that he or she gets the best of everything you are capable of giving.

One good reason as to why single parenting is deemed to be a tough task is because you have to act as both the mom and the dad. You will be the provider and at the same time the caretaker. While it seems to be obviously a very difficult task, it is not impossible for you to attain it. There are a couple of tips that you may keep in mind to be certain that parenting for you becomes an enjoyable experience.

A great tip to apply in single parenting is no other than that of showing your child how much you love him or her. This will assure the child that he or she belongs.

Then, don t fall short of expressing your affection through words. You are your child s security blanket so make it a point to assure him or her very often.

Read to your child before he or she sleeps. Your child may be too young to understand it yet but this experience will let him or her understand the concept of quality time.

Another great single parenting tip is for you to go out with your child. Show him or her around and do things together.

Single parenting can be made easy if only you know how to balance your time and have your child as your top priority.

Author Resource:-> What is a canopy bed frame? Low Jeremy discusses in his latest article published at http://www.canopybedframe.net on how you go about choosing kids canopy beds for your children. He has been freelancing as a writer for several years now where he contributes articles for websites.

Article From Article Mega Site

Source BabyEarth.com

While most couples are overwhelmed juggling two careers, an 18-month-old daughter and another one on the way, the husband and wife team of James and Heather Bendle decided it was the perfect time to start a new business. In 2003, the couple welcomed two new arrivals into their lives – a bouncing baby girl and a company, Baby-Wise.

It was a risky venture for the entrepreneurial duo, but based on their experiences as both parents and consumers, the Bendle’s were confident Baby-Wise filled a much-needed void in the industry by offering a mix of both tried-and-true classics and innovative breakthroughs. One could say Baby-Wise was initially born out of frustration, as Heather and James were both fed up with the headaches and hassles of shopping for their little ones.

“When the Floppy Seat first came out, I couldn’t find one anywhere,” Heather recalled. “I practically tackled a mom in the grocery store to find out where she got hers. Then I had to jump through hoops to find it online and get it shipped. At that time it was a frustrating process, simply because the product was so new. It just wasn’t readily available.”

Unfortunately for Heather, this became the status quo when it came to buying unique baby products. “I spent lots of time, energy and money purchasing the latest and greatest items for my children,” she says. “It was aggravating because I couldn’t find everything I needed in one place. Classic baby items, like car seat and cribs, were at one store and the cool new products, like Floppy Seats, were somewhere else.”

Getting Wise

The Austin-based baby products retailer, incorporated in 2003, launched its virtual store shortly thereafter. “For a long time, Baby-Wise was just me, James, a computer and garage full of stuff,” smiles Heather. At the time, James was also working full-time at a financial services company, spending his evenings growing the new family business. “I guess it was a blessing that our baby was colicky, because I would be up with her every night. Why not get some work done too,” he laughs.

For the first year, Baby-Wise’s inventory, featuring Heather’s favorite baby items, was stored in the Bendle’s two-car garage. A year later, they moved into a large warehouse that should have lasted them two or three years. They outgrew that location in less than a year and moved into a larger warehouse. Again, this one should have lasted another two to three years. A mere ten months later, a wall had to be knocked down to make more room.

“Our customers wanted to come in and test products,” says Heather. “They wanted to see, feel and touch these items, especially car seats and strollers, since they would soon become staples in their baby’s lives.” Due to customer demand, Baby-Wise gave birth to its first showroom in 2006.

“Parents would come in to test-drive a stroller and instantly fall in love with it,” explains Heather. “We broke their hearts when we told them we weren’t equipped to sell the stroller to them that day.” Since the Bendle’s were serious about their unwavering dedication to customer service, the showroom was transformed into a retail store. “We’ve always done whatever it takes to make our customers happy,” adds Heather.

In fact, customer service is almost more important than the products. “We truly care about every customer because they’re people, not numbers,” explains Heather. “They’re moms, dads, grandparents and friends who deserve to be treated with respect.”

Welcome BabyEarth

Half a million products later, today Baby-Wise has matured into a thriving company. And just like baby, the company is celebrating new milestones. In 2008, the company rebranded itself as BabyEarth to reflect a growing interest in green living. “The new name, BabyEarth, reflects our commitment to making baby’s world as healthy, happy and safe as possible,” explains James. “Just like baby, a thriving company eventually outgrows everything too. The Baby-Wise years were rewarding, but it’s time to celebrate new milestones. ”



While only a portion of their products are eco-friendly, BabyEarth.com boasts one of the largest selections of Eco-Friendly-- baby products in the market today. “When I first became a mom, I was interested in raising my children in a wholesome all natural household, but I had no idea how to do it,” she admits. “Now I’m more educated about going green and I want to share what I’ve learned with other parents. We’re not trying to push parents in one direction or the other. We advocate options. Giving parents the option to choose the product that best suits their family is extremely important to us,” Heather adds.

To further illustrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility, BabyEarth.com has implemented a variety of eco-friendly business initiatives. “Every parent knows you have to practice what you preach to set a good example,” says Heather. “If we advocate eco-friendly alternatives across all lines of business, we’re truly living up to our name. It’s the responsible thing to do.”

Shop babyearth.com to find everything for baby’s world, all under one roof.

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