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  •  We should be teaching self-defense to kids (5+ / 0-)

    Recommended by:
    DFWmom, oceanview, dangangry, Chacounne, MsWings

    in every grade.

    Truly ridiculous that we don't. Makes us a nation of potential victims.

    I sure got the books, read up, and started teaching self-defense to my kids when they were 4 years old. There's a lot they can do at that age.

    Be good to each other. It matters.

    by AllisonInSeattle on Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 12:33:15 AM PDT

    •  The best self-defense, regardless of age, (5+ / 0-)

      Recommended by:
      katiebird, DFWmom, lcork, dangangry, MsWings

      and physical capability, pretty much, in my experience is a loud voice. Teach your kids to scream LOUDLY, even if they feel silly or uncomfortable or scared to do it. I used mine when I was six, and it saved me.

         Just my two cents,
            Heather

      by Chacounne on Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 12:51:16 AM PDT

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      •  not to make light of this in any way (6+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        katiebird, PsychoSavannah, mango, marykk, Chacounne, MsWings

        but we have a family story about one of my nieces, who threw a temper tantrum one fine afternoon when her mother decided it was time to leave the toy store at the mall and go home to make dinner.  My niece kicked and screamed and fought her mother all the way out to the parking lot and into the car, yelling at the top of her lungs "PLEASE!!!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!  I DON'T WANT TO GO!!!!" and causing a huge ruckus.  Her mother was mortified at the behavior, but even more she was appalled that nobody even questioned her right to take this toddler to the parking lot and drive off with her.  

        I guess as much as we need to teach kids to fight back, we need to make sure that we all are keeping our eyes open to situations around us - subtle and not so subtle - where others might be in danger.

        'The votes are in, and we won.' - Jim Webb, 11/07/2006

        by lcork on Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 04:19:07 AM PDT

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        •  She didn't scream "This is not my mom", which is (0+ / 0-)

          what you're supposed to teach the toddlers, kids to scream.

          THAT woulda brought people running, I think. In her case, people probably figured: "Been there, had the screaming kid on my hands." Especially if they seemed bonded or similar enough in appearance to be biologically related.

          Be good to each other. It matters.

          by AllisonInSeattle on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 01:32:56 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  well it was years ago (0+ / 0-)

            before that rule was written, I'm sure.  I would think screaming "somebody please help me, I don't want to go" should be enough to provoke at least question or two.  Especially when the child is fighting to get away from the person they're with.  

            They look nothing alike and never did, so I doubt anyone simply assumed they were related because of looks - also her mother is older than most mothers of kids her daugher's age - almost as old as some of the grandmothers, in fact.  That age anomaly would have made them look even less like mother and daughter to a casual bystander.

            Wouldn't a parent prefer questions and a little embarassment to indifference about a child being dragged off against their will?  Maybe not just at the time, of course - but in retrospect.  Sort of "wow, THAT was embarassing, but I'm glad people I don't even know are watching out for my kid".  

            'The votes are in, and we won.' - Jim Webb, 11/07/2006

            by lcork on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 05:17:59 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

      •  That's very true, (2+ / 0-)

        Recommended by:
        katiebird, Chacounne

        and women/girls need to be reminded because we've been conditioned to be polite and quiet.

        I hope this young woman is OK and is found soon.

        "When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis

        by MsWings on Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 04:45:50 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  And scream, "This is not my mom/dad" (0+ / 0-)

        I used to put on those airplane-runway-type ear protectors, and tell the kids to scream as loud as they could.

        For complicated public situations, they wore a whistle around their neck. Some people are too afraid to scream.

        Glad it worked for you, very glad.

        Be good to each other. It matters.

        by AllisonInSeattle on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 01:34:23 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

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