Our world is wonderful, but it can be challenging. As Moms, we have the responsibility to help our children see the beauty in life, and at the same time prepare them for the challenges.
The Boy Scouts of America has prepared excellent materials that can help us teach our kids how to avoid abuse. In addition to valuable printed materials, the Boy Scouts have created a very helpful video for Cub Scouts called “It Happened to Me.”
I first saw this video when my son was a Cub Scout. We were invited to attend a meeting for all the boys and their parents. A Scout leader introduced the film and conducted the discussion.
At first I was surprised, but as the evening progressed I was very grateful for the preparation my young son received to protect himself if he ever needed to.
The video teaches children important principles and practices to avoid being abused, including the “Four Rules of Personal Safety:
1) Check first with a parent or other trusted adult before I change plans, go anywhere, or accept anything from anyone.
2) Go with a friend in order to be safer and to have more fun. (For young children, the friend should be a parent, other trusted adult, or older child approved by the parents.)
3) It is my body and I have the right to say no to anyone who tries to touch me in places covered by my swimming suit or to do things that I think are wrong.
4) Tell a trusted adult anytime I am hurt, scared, or made to feel uncomfortable.”
Click here for the Facilitator’s Guide for the videos: It Happened to Me Facilitator's Guide
Note: "It Happened to Me" is divided into 5 parts here. They are all important, so if you can only see one video, please click the tiny "Read More" link below the video to see the other four parts.
