Real Advice: Parent-to-Parent

You have a right to look at her cell phone messages. She is still underaged. This is your evidence and you have to put it to a good use.

I am sure it's normal, but I would encourage her to open up to prevent possible tragedy. I would be tough on it.

I am a new mom. We adopted our girl in 2003. If it was my daughter I'd take away her cell phone and other priviledges until she openly and honestly talks to you. She has to know you do it for her protection. Tell her some scary stories when the guys lure the girls and rape them. Show her a video. Have all kind of proofs to make your loud point across.

One good example: we ban our 12 years old go with friends to a nearby park (5 minutes away) without adults. Actually recently I learned that the windows of the sex predator almost face the playground they use. One day we all were watching TV and there was an ALERT showed across the screen: "child abduction". My daughter goes: "Oh My God!" I said to her: "See, we tell you not to go without us FOR A GOOD REASON!". I am sure she has made a "checkmark" in her head on this issue.

Kids are super-human, able to leap tall buildings, and can definitely conquer anything, anyone, and everything----just ask 'em!!! 

It's scary knowing what's "out there", knowing what can happen and does happen all too often.  I've definitely told my girls some very real facts of life and what can happen to them.  They need to know that we live in a world that unfortunately has some really sick people sharing our space and things aren't always what they seem.  Did it scare them?  I very much hope so!  Not so much that I make them afraid of life but enough that they are aware.....

Scare by the REAL scary story about a girl HER age, and what happened when she didn't listen to anybody ... that will work, but not by general talking. 

 

          

                                  

<<<Scare by the REAL scary story about a girl HER age, and what happened when she didn't listen to anybody ... that will work, but not by general talking. >>>

I agree....made up stories do not make an impression whatsoever.  We've told them about incidents that have taken place here in our area, making sure they understand it's not something "out there".   Too many people carry the belief that these things only happen to other families. 

Just as important is teaching our children personal safety, prevention, and how to react if they ever are in a bad situation.

~kelli~
cl-kellim