Tools for Protecting Children

By Bright Tomorrows Staff

Every day our children are affected by things they hear, see, and experience. These things mold and shape who our children are and what they will become, both for the good and not so good. As adults and parents, it is important to be mindful of what it is we want our children to learn, what they are exposed to, and how they experience life events. Part of our responsibility as parents and adults is to protect our children from a variety of dangers. 

Here are four tools to keep in mind when protecting your children and keeping children safe: Consciousness, choice, personal power, and relentless compassion. Consciousness focuses on being aware of the dangers and threats to children while putting action into protecting and preventing further harm. 

Choice refers to the choice all adults have to take action in preventing and responding to potentially dangerous situations for children. 

Personal power is the ability to trust yourself to take the necessary action, even if you don’t know the outcome. 

Finally, relentless compassion attends to the fact that as human beings we are all connected and dependent upon one another. We must be committed to protecting our children and doing what is right.   

Children need adults to protect them and guide them away from dangerous situations. When faced with difficult decisions regarding whether you should allow your child to go over to a friend’s house, associate with a specific person, or you just have a gut feeling about someone associated with your child, remember these four tools and they will help guide you to make decisions that will help keep children safe. 

For further information on helpful tools for protecting children, visit the Darkness to Light End Child Sexual Abuse website at www.d2l.org.