One of the most effective techniques that you may use to help reduce the possibility of your child going with someone who you do not approve would be to establish a secret word.
The secret word is a word that you and your child agree upon to be the code word that will be used if someone other than you attempts to take them anywhere. Some important tips when establishing your secret word:
- Make certain that the word is easily remembered by your child but not something that will be obvious to others.
- Keep the secret word completely secret from everyone except those that will use the word with your permission when you cannot be there to pick up your child.
- Explain the importance of your child NEVER sharing their secret word with their friends. This word is meant for parents exclusively.
- Teach your child that you will only share that word with someone else when they are unable to be there to pick up your child.
Please feel free to share the following video with all your friends, parents, teachers and children with the goal of encouraging all to establish a secret word as soon as possible.
Remember, in a study by the Department of Justice: In 8,000 failed child abductions attempts over the last 8 years, 83% of the time the child escaped because the child knew what to do!
[INSERT VIDEO]