How to Talk to Your Children About Home Security
62
Today's world is dangerous. We cannot just leave our doors unlocked anymore. It is essential, that every family has a home security plan. It is just as important that your children are involved in the process and planning of this plan.
Talking to your children about home security isn't as easy as it sounds and there are a few things you need to take into consideration before sitting down with them. You want to get them to understand just how important home security is and how it effects them. However, you do not want to scare them. There is a very fine line here. You need to make sure that you make the points you need to make, but also keep your children trusting you.
Schedule a family meeting. I recommend all families have regular meetings, be they monthly or weekly. This is a great time to share achievements, news, and upcoming plans. This is also a great time to discuss family plans, like a home security plan and an emergency evacuation plan.
Keep your children involved in creating the plan--don't go into the meeting with the plan all figured out. Children will follow a plan best if they have helped to create it. Once they are told they have to do something, they will be less likely to do it.
They Are Worth It!
Make it a game for your kids. Tell them to go outside and pretend to be burglars. Ask them where they would try to break into the house. Kids are creative and have great ideas, they ill likely point out a flaw in your home that you didn't see. Note: I understand not everyone will be comfortable doing this exercise. It is not essential, but fun and a learning experience.
Make sure your children feel safe in your home. Do not make them feel as if they are currently unsafe and that is the reason why you are coming up with a plan. No, the plan is simply to make your children safer. Reassure them that they are currently safe.
Just remember, talking to your kids about home security is tough. But it is totally worth it. Explaining to them ways to make themselves safer at home and at school will not only give them a sense of empowerment, but will ease your mind, that your children know how to be safe. No home security device is going to give you the peace of mind that having wise children will.
CommentsLoading...
That's great Mark! It is always good to have your kids aware of what you are doing to keep them safe. Some parents worry that it will make them feel as if they weren't safe in the first part, but that just isn't true.
Mark 24 months ago
Have always been investing in what makes my kids comfortable at home. After recently moving, a new security system was put into the new house and it added that initial comfort level for the kids. They also know where to meet if there is a problem and see it every day with the map on the refrigerator!