Our family members mean everything to us, and we will stop at nothing to keep them safe and protected from danger. We as moms are usually the ones who the task of protection falls to, and we will puff out our chests, take the gauntlet and fight any hazards that threaten our families with every bone in our bodies. Here is a mom’s guide to protecting your family.
Bullying
Bullying is the abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by somebody stronger and more powerful. Bullying can occur at any age and in any environment. Children may be bullied at school, in social groups, online, or by cell phone. Adults can be bullied at work, at home, or in cyberspace.
Consistent verbal, physical, and emotional abuse can have a negative physical, mental and emotional impact on the victim of the bullying. A person who is picked on by others can become physically sick. They can suffer from bowel trouble, skin rashes, headaches, weight loss, or gain caused by changes in appetite, and of course, physical bullying can result in injuries.
Constant criticism can destroy a person’s confidence and self-worth. A victim will retreat into themselves, lose confidence, and may hide from society. In extreme cases, a person may become agoraphobic or even suicidal.
If you suspect your child is being picked on, ask them to explain what has happened and listen to them without judgment. Ask them what they would like you to do about it, so you avoid making them more worried that you will storm in and make the situation worse. You must explain to your child that it is not their fault and that they have not brought this upon themselves and that they are not weak or inferior to anybody. Encourage your child to act confident and ignore the bullies. If the attackers do not get any reaction from a victim, they will soon get bored and move on.
Physical Attack
Sadly, physical attacks do happen, and one of the best defenses against getting attacked is to make yourself and your family less of an easy target. Tell your children to be confident when they are walking alone and explain to them to walk strongly with their head held high and looking straight ahead, and making eye contact with those around. They must avoid being distracted by their phone or music player.
Tell them not to be afraid to say no if somebody stops them to ask for directions and they do not get good vibes from the stranger – they should keep walking briskly on with their journey.
Make it clear to your family that they should never walk home alone drunk or walk through poorly lit areas, high crime neighborhoods, alleys, or deserted car parks. Ask them to get a taxi cab with a friend or phone you or another family to ask for a ride home, no matter what time of night it is. As an added security measure, find out where to buy pepper spray and ensure every member of your household carries some when they are out alone.
It might also be beneficial for your family members to learn a form of self-defense. You could attend karate, judo, or taekwondo classes or attend a self-defense course. Knowing that they are capable of defending themselves from physical attack will provide your children with more self-confidence, and this aura will emanate from them and make them less enticing to attackers. It will give you peace of mind too.
Physical Injury
We can protect our children from physical injury from the minute they enter the world. We can dress our babies in mittens to stop them from scratching their delicate faces, strap them into high chairs and baby bouncers to prevent them from falling from heights, and transport them in super-safe car seats and strollers.
As they grow, we can protect them from injury during play and sport by making them wear crash helmets, knee, elbow, and wrist pads. We can teach them the correct way to jump and land by bending their knees, how to protect their body as much as they can when they fall, and generally teach them how to play safely at all times. If they wish to learn a sport or activity, we should ensure they wear the correct safety clothing, use the right equipment, and be taught how to perform the task correctly and safely.
Illness
We can help protect our family from certain diseases by making sure that they receive all required vaccinations as soon as they are born and throughout their childhood. We should see that they receive all necessary booster vaccinations when needed too.
To keep our family fit, healthy, and free from sickness, we can provide them with healthy and balanced home-cooked meals, ensure they stay active and at a healthy weight. We can keep them warm and sensibly dressed during cold weather, ensure they have regular checkups with their doctor and dentist, and administer any medications they may need in accurate dosages. If we suspect our kids have allergies or an illness, we should visit a doctor as soon as possible and insist on top-notch treatment.
Stranger Danger
The downside of the World Wide Web is that our kids are exposed to more potential attackers than they would have been 20 years ago. From a young age, we should teach our kids to be internet aware by restricting the websites and apps they have access to. We should place parental locks on devices that connect to the internet and monitor the games and sites they frequent. We should explain to them that they must not talk to people they do not know in chat rooms and never ever agree to meet with somebody in person.
From a young age, our kids should be taught not to talk to strangers or go away with anybody they do not know. However, the subject needs to be approached cautiously because we do not want to make them nervous and wary of all people and public situations.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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