Top 10 Safe-Smart Rules for Kids
By Jill Neil, Murad Working Parent
Dr. Murad knows how much stress can affect our health, not to mention our attitude and appearance. He’s also a father of 3 (and a grandfather of 4), so he knows firsthand the stressors that come with raising children. One way he is helping parents at Murad headquarters is by offering free, on-site education classes on important family topics. Two topics were “Raising Safe Kids” and “Raising Financially Confident Kids.”
For the first class, children’s safety expert Pattie Fitzgerald of Safely Ever After, Inc. shared her tips for keeping our kids safe from sexual predators. Her safety tips go way beyond the outdated “stranger danger” message that our generation was raised on. Not only did she teach us what to watch out for as parents, but she also provided us strategies on how to teach our kids the difference between “safe” people and “tricky” people and how to react in uncomfortable situations.
These are her Super-Ten Safe-Smart Rules for Kids:
I am THE BOSS OF MY BODY!
I know my name, address and phone number…and my parents’ cell phone numbers, too.
Safe grownups don’t ask kids for help. (They go to other adults for assistance.)
I never go ANYWHERE or take ANYTHING from someone I don’t know…no matter what they say.
I always CHECK FIRST and get permission before: I go anywhere, change my plans or take something, even if it’s from someone I know. If I can’t check first, then the answer is “NO!”
Everyone’s “bathing suit areas” are private. No bathing suit area games allowed.
I don’t have to be polite if someone makes me feel scared or uncomfortable. It’s okay to say NO! – even to a grownup or bigger kid if I have to.
I don’t keep secrets from my parents. (No one should tell a child to keep a secret from their parents, especially one that involves their bodies.)
If I ever get lost in a public place, I can FREEZE AND YELL or go to a MOM WITH KIDS and ask for help.
I always listen to my own inner voice, especially if I get an “uh-oh” feeling.
Pattie had great advice on teaching these rules to kids at every age. She has written 2 children’s books on this topic as well. You can find more tips and all of Pattie’s seminars at www.safelyeverafter.com.
The second expert was Shannon Ryan of The Heavy Purse, LLC. Shannon is a financial advisor who started The Heavy Purse to help busy parents teach their children simple, value-based principles that guide their money decisions and support their long-term financial well-being. Shannon presented a 2-part series to Murad employees: “Finding Financial Happiness” and “Raising Financially Confident Kids.” In both sessions, Shannon focused on the importance of goal setting, knowing where your money is going, what you are saving for and how that should drive your financial decisions. She defines financial happiness as “the alignment of your personal values and money.” As parents, it is our job to teach our kids how to think and feel about money.
Her roadmap for raising financially confident kids includes:
Money needs to stop being a taboo topic
Ease into money conversations
Be a good financial role model
Set goals for saving, spending and sharing – money needs a purpose
Shannon has authored two children’s books to help our kids learn about money. You can find them as well as her blog (full of great financial advice) at www.theheavypurse.com.
Both Pattie and Shannon are very passionate about what they do, and our employees were grateful for the opportunity to attend their sessions for free within Murad headquarters. Murad plans to continue this type of education to create a better work-life balance for all employees, and we’ll keep sharing our favorites with you.
What do you stress most about as a parent? What types of classes or resources would you like your employer to provide?
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