When we think of password protection, we think of bank
accounts, computers, or even voice mail phone systems.
Our children are equally precious to us and need our
protection. But how do we protect them?
When my kids were small we established a password,
or codeword that only they and I knew. We chose a word
very familiar to them, something they could remember, yet
not something easily guessed by an outsider.
In the car we would roleplay many situations that might happen
and how my children could respond. It was very important that
if anyone other than I was going to pick them up at school or
from a sports practice or even a girl scout meeting, this person
must know our password.
If the person did not know the password, then my children were
not to get in their car under any circumstances. There were no
exceptions to this rule. Once you start making exceptions
young children become confused. Their mother, their father, and
their grandmother knew their password and often discussed it
with them.
I know our system worked, because one day after her brownie
meeting, a friend of mine offered to drive my daughter home,
knowing I was home not feeling well. My daughter asked this
adult woman if she knew the password. Of course the woman
did not. My daughter comfortably looked at her and told her she
could not get in the car with her.
I have never been more proud of this very precious little girl.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Audrey Okaneko is a mom of two children, ages 10 and 17.
She can be visited at http://www.shining-stars.com You can
write to her at IHavSnoopy@aol.com.
if you have any questions or comments!