Okay. This Grandma is doing what her parents did, talking about the “good old days.” Not remembering how much things cost back when, but remembering how much freedom this Grandma had as a child in a world that was safe growing up after World War II in America. It was safe to ride our bikes to friends’ houses, go to the movies alone, even go to Manhattan alone. We did not have cell phones. Our only limitation was to be home by dinner.
Our children had more limitations. We mostly drove them to play dates and activities. In South Florida, back then, the disappearance and murder of Adam Walsh in 1981 changed our local community. Adam Walsh was an adorable six year old boy who was abducted from a Sears department store at the Hollywood Mall in Hollywood, Florida, on July 27, 1981, and later found murdered and decapitated. His parents let him play at a display. . . .
From July 27, 1981, this Grandma watched her children like a hawk. It is still nothing as scary as being a parent today. Parents today cannot let their children out of their sight either. The world is not safe for our grandchildren. This limits the grandchildren’s freedom as well as their parent’s freedom.
On August 9, 2014, in anticipation of the upcoming school year, the Crime Watch column in the Miami Herald had an article, “Crime Watch: Tips for sending kids back to school,” which suggested that parents should talk to the children about safety before school starts.
Here are the suggestions for parents, or I should say admonitions:
● Never place your child’s name on any piece of clothing that is visible to anyone. You do not want to make them a target for a stranger to call out to by name.
● Make sure your child knows his or her full name, phone number, parents’ full names, address and a work phone number.
● Throughout the school year, talk to your child about drugs, strangers and any weapon they might see or hear about, a bully or any related concerns. Let the child know that such information should be reported to the teacher, schools police and to you immediately.
● If your child is going into a new school or going to school for the first time, ask them whether there is anything that frightens or makes her uncomfortable. Share that information with the teacher or school police.
● Check with your child’s school regarding policies and procedures on emergency situations so you are not frightened if there is a lock-down. If you know the policies and procedures, you can calmly pick up your child when it’s appropriate.
● If your child rides the school bus, talk to him/her about how to behave. If your child has to wait alone at a bus stop, stress not accepting rides from strangers. If older kids ride with a friend, make sure that you speak to them about wearing seat belts.
● Do not assume that your child knows even the basic facts about safety and other risks.
● Set up a regular calling time to know when your child arrives at home.
● Another good idea is getting your child involved in school organizations and programs.
Parents should get involved in the school PTA.
The last one really addresses the concerns for danger with those the grandchild might know as well as those who might be strangers. That is such a worry. We don’t know our neighbors anymore. We have to be concerned about everyone everywhere. Grandchildren are programmed and over-programmed with scheduled and supervised activities for safety reasons as much as because now the majority of both parents work.
This Grandma laments parents’ responsibility regarding crime watch tips for sending grandchildren back to school and misses the “good old days” where life was simpler. . . and safer.
With little joy,
Mema
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