A Mother’s Gratitude: Teaching Kids to Stay Safe

An Unexpected Scare

Jodie Norton, a blogger and author from southern Utah, shared a heart-stopping experience that left her feeling both sickened and profoundly grateful. One morning, she found herself in excruciating pain and realized she needed immediate medical attention. Juggling her agony, she swiftly gathered her two sons, aged 10 and eight, and rushed to the nearest hospital.

Amid the chaos, she asked a neighbor to watch her boys while she sought medical help. Unbeknownst to her, this incident would unveil a critical lesson she had imparted to her children.

A Lesson That Saved Them

Later, when her sons returned from school, Jodie discovered that their journey to school had been fraught with danger. Her initial assumption that her neighbor would swiftly come to their aid turned out to be a misjudgment. The boys had ended up waiting outside the emergency room for 40 minutes, instead of the expected five minutes.

What followed left Jodie with mixed emotions. Her boys recounted their encounter with an adult woman and two young men who approached them. These strangers tried to coerce the boys into meeting a man in the bathroom, using a fabricated story about needing help to convince him to seek medical attention.

However, her boys responded with a firm “No, thank you,” steadfastly refusing despite the strangers’ persistent requests.

A Rule That Made a Difference

Jodie’s gratitude outweighed her shock as she listened to her son CJ explain the situation. He invoked a family “stay safe” rule that they had discussed long ago, a rule designed to help children identify potential dangers. CJ astutely observed, “I knew they were tricky people because they were asking us for help. Adults don’t ask kids for help.”

This rule was part of the “tricky people” concept, a term introduced by Pattie Fitzgerald, the founder of Safely Ever After. Unlike the term “stranger,” which can sometimes be misleading, the “tricky people” concept focuses on teaching children to recognize certain behaviors, such as adults seeking help from kids when other adults are present.

Empowering Children with Knowledge

Jodie emphasized the significance of teaching children about “tricky people.” She highlighted the need to drop the exclusive use of the word “stranger” when discussing potential dangers. Instead, parents are encouraged to educate children about the behaviors that may signal a “tricky person,” which includes inappropriate requests for help.

Jodie also revealed that the police have been notified about the incident and are reviewing CCTV footage from the hospital’s vicinity.

Sharing Lessons for Safety

Jodie’s harrowing experience serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of teaching children about safety. The incident showcases the impact of providing children with knowledge and tools to identify potential threats. As parents and caregivers, sharing such stories can help raise awareness and empower others to educate their children about personal safety.

Passing on the Knowledge

Let’s spread this crucial message of child safety. Share this eye-opening account with your friends and family to highlight the significance of teaching kids about “tricky people” and equipping them with the tools to stay safe in potentially dangerous situations.