Protect your child from predators

Fri, 10 May 2013

According to figures released by the South African Police Service Missing Persons Bureau, a child goes missing every six hours in South Africa. This adds up to 1460 children per year. They are kidnapped for various reasons including sexual assault, organ donation, muti, slavery and ransom. We need to implement child safety rules in our households to decrease the likelihood of our children becoming part of these frightening statistics.

As a parent, you should know where your child is at all times and know what is happening in their lives. Develop a close relationship with them so that they can trust you enough to tell you if something untoward happens or if someone behaves with them improperly.

• Teach them your address and phone numbers. If they are small, put identification bracelets with your contact details on them when going to public places. If they get lost in a mall or public place, they should go to the nearest security guard/policeman. If someone is following them, they should scream and run away from the follower.
• Keep a recent photograph of your child in your wallet so that it is readily available if required. Special ID kits can be purchased within which you can keep your child’s photo, record their vital statistics such as hair and eye colour, their fingerprints and DNA samples (hair strands). This will help if something happens to them.
• Children should be taught not to trust strangers or go anywhere with them. Teach them a code word, for example, “Open Sesame”. If you need to send someone to pick them up, that doesn’t usually do this, this person should know the code word.
• They should not accept sweets, drinks, money or gifts from strangers.
• They should not play in the streets alone or go to public toilets alone.
• Get them accustomed to the buddy system where they must always take a friend/buddy with them wherever they go.
• If your child is using social media, teach them online safety rules. Befriend them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter so that you can monitor their activities. If something happens to them, you can use the power of social media to spread the news, after informing the relevant authorities.
• Do not wait 24 hours to report that your child is missing!
• If your child does go missing, you will need to report this at your nearest police station. Give them as much information as possible.
• Keep emergency numbers readily available, such as the police, Childline and missing children organisations.

Important numbers to note are:
Police: 10111
Cell phone help: 112
Missing Children SA: 072MISSING (072 647 7464)
Childline: 08000 55 555
SAPS Crimestop: 08600 10111

Specially written for www.babiesonline.co.za by Sara Essop

Teaching children manners

Tue, 2 April 2013

Most parents would love to have a polite little child that displays perfect manners as it will reflect well on them. Unfortunately, these days, the opposite is more likely to happen with your child displaying the most inappropriate behaviour at the most inopportune times. This has given rise to a demand for classes such as “Manners 4 Minors”.

It is never too early to start teaching your child basic good manners. Here are ten simple lessons that you can teach them.

1. Children learn by example. If you say “please” and “thank you” consistently, they will do so too.
2. Table manners can be refined at the dinner table at home, therefore parents should ensure that at least one meal is eaten daily as a family. Your child can learn how to eat politely, ask for something that is out of reach, and practise other important dining habits.
3. If your child is going over to some one’s house, perhaps a friend or relative, go through the rules with them before they go. For example, they should greet their hosts politely, eat when served instead of asking for things, thank their hosts and not run amok.
4. Teach children about sharing. Encourage sharing by teaching them about taking turns and using phrases such as “Let’s play with this together”, “It’s your turn now” and “Sharing is caring”.
5. It is impolite for children to express negative opinions in public. They should keep these to themselves or tell parents privately if necessary.
6. Talk to them about people with physical flaws and disabilities They should not stare or make negative comments about the physical characteristics of others.
7. They should also not make fun of others or call people names.
8. Mouths should be covered when coughing or sneezing and noses should not be picked in public.
9. Teach children not to interrupt grown-ups when they are talking unless it is an emergency. The grown-ups will notice them and talk to them when they are done talking. If it is important, then they should say “Excuse me” to get the grown-ups’ attention.
10. If your child uses unacceptable words, go down on your knees, look them in the eye and tell them that “We don’t use words like this in our family”. If they still persist, then some other disciplinary action, such as time-out or withholding privileges may need to be utilised. Of course, it helps if your child hasn’t heard you use such words. If you are frustrated and need to express your emotions when the kids are present, try using an alternative word to do this or make up a word, such as “Oh shucks”.

Specially written for www.babiesonline.co.za by Sara Essop

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