[Marcimama]

So, we live at a camp... camp is gearing up and that is great... but one thing I always fear is the possibility that one of our campers (from varying backgrounds... some from difficult places) might sexually abuse one of our children... or even one of the adult or college aged staff... though I think this less likely.<br><br>
That said, I try very very hard to never let our children out of my sight... as I know my presence is one of the biggest deterants to people like that... you know a mama bears cubs really have nothing to fear... but it does happen from time to time that she is playing with out my supervision or goes with another adult I trust to help with a chore or something like that.<br><br>
So, I've been thinking about talking to my dd... who just turned 5... she is a clever girl and much to her benefit strong minded... We've talked to her about what to do if some one trys to take her... and I have a lot of faith she would pitch a fit to equal anyone who might try... but she admires our staff and campers and I am not sure she'd know what to do if someone would approach her in that manner.<br><br>
So, what should I tell her?<br>
We've only talked about birth and how babies exit their mother... not how they get there or what s*x is...<br><br>
How to I explain the horrid truth with out ruining her purity or scaring her???

 

[~cassie]

We just had this talk with my 5 yr old son. I actually checked out a book from the library that talked about a scenario of a man sticking his hands down a little girls pants and that opened the discussion up on what is appropriate and what is not and who is allowed to touch private areas-parents when washing only and the Dr during a checkup. We also talked about good and bad people and that some people look like good people but aren't and that if he gets a funny feeling to trust his instinct and stay away. We talked about what kind of touches are ok and what aren't, but this book really helped open the door for the conversation b/c I had no clue how to start the topic off.

 

[thedenverduo]

Please check the book Protecting the Gift by Gavin de Becker out of the library. I work with twin girls who are 6 and my ds is 9 months. I wish I could get every parent to read this book! It gives concrete ways to talk about things like this with children, how to teach them the difference between acceptable and unacceptable touch/talk, etc. Really just a goldmine!<br><br>
HTH!

 

[ThankfulMama]

Another recommendation for Protecting the Gift. I HIGHLY recommend it.<br><br>
Best wishes!

 

[caemommy]

I really liked the stranger safety video from The Safe Side<br><br><a href="http://www.thesafeside.com/?gclid=CNz3pfv21aECFRkcawodUCDzJw" target="_blank">http://www.thesafeside.com/?gclid=CN...FRkcawodUCDzJw</a><br><br>
My 5 yr old loves the video and asks to watch it! It is not scary, but it addresses how to deal with situations with adults that are "Don't Knows" and "Kinda Knows" and your "Safe Side" adults.

 

[kt~mommy]

My only addition to what all these folks have said is to know statistically +90% of sexual abuse occurs between people that know eachother, like family and trusted-adults (or other kids for that matter). So imo both kids and parents ought not just be cautious of people they don't know. unfortunately, it is more likely to be someone the family trusts, as scary as that is. good luck with the discussion!<br><br>
eta: i work with this organization... check out their site for some great tips <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><a href="http://www.stopitnow.org/" target="_blank">http://www.stopitnow.org/</a>