Keeping Your Children Safe This Summer
Summer is upon us, and for many of us, that means the structure we’ve built throughout the year is now in flux.
With the relaxed schedules and extra free time, summer provides both challenges and opportunities. Unfortunately, the lack of structure can sometimes lead to situations where problematic interactions or even abuse occur between or against children.
When boundaries are less defined, it's important to help your children understand their internal and external boundaries and how these relate to personal safety.
We all know the overwhelming feeling of the dreaded August! But, don’t let that stand in the way of this important opportunity to empower our kids to make safe choices. Below is a short list of key messages and rules to share with your children and to keep in mind during the summer.
Messages for Your Children
It’s a mitzvah to keep your body healthy and safe.
Respecting boundaries—your own and others'—is an important value.
Most people are wonderful, but some older kids and adults may not act safely or appropriately toward children. These “tricky people” might look normal and nice, so if your child feels uncomfortable around someone, encourage them to talk to you about it.
Adults and big kids should mostly spend time with people their own age.
Adults should ask other adults for help, not children. If an adult asks your child for help, they must check with you first.
Secrets should never be kept from parents. If someone asks your child to keep a secret from you, they need to tell you right away.
There’s no secret or problem too big for parents to handle. Let your children know they can come to you with any problem, big or small, and that you’ll help them figure it out—even if you don’t know the solution right away.
Remember: An ongoing conversation about personal safety is far more effective than a one-time talk. Keep it open and continuous.
Guidelines for Parents
Know who is supervising your children. Whether it's a babysitter, neighbor, or relative—you're still the parent, even when you’re at work.
Stay informed about where your kids are. If they move from one friend's house to another, make sure they keep you in the loop.
Be aware of who your children are spending time with. Be cautious if an adult or older child is taking special interest in them or trying to spend excessive time together.
Unfiltered internet is like a stranger in your home. If you wouldn’t leave your kids unsupervised with a stranger, don’t leave them alone with unmonitored internet access.
May we all have a safe and peaceful summer filled with joy and yeshuot!
Shana Aronson holds a Bs. in Psychology, as well as certification and training in educational guidance counseling, abuse prevention, and IFS Therapy. She is the executive director of Magen for Jewish Communities, which provides community resources and support for victims of sexual abuse in the chareidi and dati community. She lives with her family in Mateh Yehuda, Israel.
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