Tips on keeping your children safe especially as the new school year approaches:

I studied criminology at WKU and armed with an insight into pedophiles’ minds I use that to help combat the war they have waged on our children. I spend a lot of time helping parents better protect their children from the predators that prey on them. Here is a little of what I know to help you and your children.

Every good parent knows they have to have the conversation with their children about strangers and what to do if someone tries to touch them in their private parts. We teach our children about good touches and bad touches. We think we have covered all the areas in protecting our children, have we? With all the chaos going on in our daily lives we may become lax in the very things that could protect our children. I have put together a list of things we cannot let our guards down on, Pedophiles are waiting for that.

Tips on keeping your children safe especially as the new school year approaches:

1.     Know where your child is … always. Children are not as aware as we are about the dangers out there. They think they are invincible and are naïve by nature. We have to check up and make sure they are where they say they are, are with who they say they are with and doing what they said they are doing.

2.     Stay in contact with their friends’ parents, as well as your children’s teachers and coaches. They could be the first people to let you know something may not be right.

3.     Be a parent first, friend second. There will be some parents who argue with me and say that children need to have their privacy. I say this, there are parents out there who believed that and now have missing children. Those parents would give anything to have a second chance and know exactly who their kid was talking to online, but that chance will never come.

4.     Make time each day to have conversations with your child and listen to what they have to say. Don’t be afraid to check things out to make sure everyone is on track.

5.     Know your neighborhood. If you see something or someone unusual, check it out or phone it in to the police. Pedophiles are hoping and banking on the attitude that people don’t want to get involved. We all need to be involved where children are concerned.

6.     Change your routine frequently. Pedophiles will watch and wait for the few minutes your child is usually alone. They know parents are busy and routines are how families keep it all together.

7.     Subscribe to a website that alerts you when a predator moves into your area. I use Family Watchdog.

8.     Be vigilant in speaking with your children about safety and take them to any workshops put on in your communities. I am putting one on in Albuquerque, NM August 20^th. I will be doing more in various places. Don’t wait on me though, check to see if your community is putting one on in the meantime.

9.      Do Not have your child’s name printed on their backpacks, t-shirts, jackets, etc.. Pedophiles and kidnappers use this as a way to gain your child’s trust. They will use it as part of their rouse to get their hands on your kids.