How to Raise Street-Smart Kids

On the one hand, you want your children to remain innocent forever. On the other hand, if they don't have a working knowledge that not everyone is their friend, they could end up hurt or taken advantage of. Raising your children to be street-smart will pay off in the long run.

Instructions

    • 1

      Teach them not to flash money. Your children need to learn from a young age not to take their money out and let everyone see it. Bullies, addicts and criminals may see them as a robbery target. Have your children practice being discreet when it comes to showing their money to anyone but the cashier waiting to collect it. In addition, stress to them to only carry the amount they need and leave the rest at home or with a trusted adult.

    • 2

      Show them how to handle strangers. Whether you live in the city and encounter beggars or a rural area where the occasional stranger comes around, your children need to know how to handle it. In both cases, they should not be afraid to speak loudly and clearly to the approaching stranger. For example, "Please go away, I have nothing for you today." While speaking, they should be moving toward safety, such as a crowd of people, a police officer or a parent.

    • 3

      Tell your kids not to accept food or drinks. Every year, news stories report drugs being slipped into the drink of an unsuspecting victim. As your children grow up, you should continually remind them never to accept a drink or food from someone they do not know. You can do this without causing too much fear simply by telling them the food or drink could be old, have germs or be otherwise unsafe to consume. As they get older, introduce the danger of drugs being slipped into the drink.

    • 4

      Provide a safety code for accepting rides. Come up with a code word that is easy for your children to remember. Remind them that, anytime someone offers them a ride, they must have the code word. If the driver doesn't know it, then the children are not to get into the car -- in fact, they are to run to the nearest trusted adult and report the attempt. Stress to them the importance of never sharing the family code word with anyone so it remains a true test as to the honesty of whoever is giving them a ride. As they get older, teach them that, even if they know the person driving, they are not to get into the car or accept a ride without your permission.

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