How To Avoid A Child Abduction
I see articles about child abduction cases constantly. You'd think this advice is common sense but with all the reportings parents can be extremely stupid obviously. As a mother of a handsome dirty blond ocean blue eyed six year old. I am very protective, almost overly so because children like him are a common desired target by abductors. My family jokes that if he were really kidnapped the kidnapper will have enough within 30 minutes and pay us to take him back. The truth is as difficult as he can be he's still the "perfect specimen". I digress, any child can fall victim to this tragedy. Here's a little advice from one parent to another. Hopefully this info will be heeded and will one day save a life.
Rule 1: It is always important to have the don't talk to strangers talk. I suggest you have the talk when they are between four and five years old. Sometimes you have to instill a scary scenario into your child. My son has ADHD so I gave him the talk when he was five. I had seen him go near a complete stranger who had a dog on a leash. Right then and there I knew it was talk time. I had asked him if he loved mommy, grandma, grandpa etc. (all the above lives in the same home) Then I had explained that talking to strangers is a bad thing. that one day someone might have a dog, or offer him candy and he'd be taken and never get to see mommy, grandma, and grandpa again. and that the person who takes him might hurt him and to come and get me before talking to anyone he doesn't know.
It sunk in with him because ever since, he has asked me "mommy can I go pet that puppy?" when he sees a person with a dog come into the park. He also avoids conversations with people who talk to him that I have not spoken with before, or clings to my side and shows hesitation when my acquaintances talk to him. One time I was having a conversation with a new acquaintance and he tugged on my shirt and told me I shouldn't talk to strangers. That warmed my heart. It's a nerve wrecking talk but it's mandatory.
Rule 2: You'd think this would be a "duh" but it needs to be said. Never let your child play in the front yard alone. Even if you are in the house and watching from the window, it's a terrible idea. First of all, predators get full view of your child from their cars as they drive by. secondly, do you really think you can get outside faster than it takes for the kidnapper to make a move and escape in their vehicle? think again. Just don't do it. If you let them play outside alone make sure it's in a fenced in back yard and keep an eye on them at all times.
I let my son play outside in the backyard on his own. I check in with him every 15-30 minutes by going outside to see what he's up to. The rest of the time i'm watching him from the breakfast nook window where I can see the whole yard. Kidnappers aren't usually ballsy enough to leave their cars to pick up a child from a fenced in area where they barely see them.
Rule 3: If you're at the playground with your child stay off your fucking phone! I can not tell you how many videos i've seen of a man walking up to a child and leading them away without the parent noticing because they were looking at their cellphone while parked on a bench like an idiot. This also goes with don't turn your back on your child. This is how most of the incidents occur. "I only turned away for a couple minutes!" is a common line used by the adult whose child had been taken. It only takes 30 seconds to kidnap a child from under your nose. Only 30 fucking seconds, do the math.
Rule 4: Never think "It'll never happen to me" No one is immune to this event. Doesn't matter what kind of neighborhood you live in, anyone can fall victim so be prepared and keep the scenario in mind any time you are with your child and when your child is outdoors. Many people seem to have that mindset before tragedy strikes and it's sad especially when common sense could have avoided the situation in the first place.
Be prepared at all times. Children are precious and a gift from God even if they drive you crazy. You never know what exactly you had until it's gone.
