Jeana (DP)
Former Member
southerngirl said:And that would be me. I am a realist. I know the crime statistics in my community. I know the risks; I evaluate them everyday. Should I allow my 6 year old to play in the yard? Should I allow my 9 year old to sell Girl Scout cookies with her big brother in our neighborhood? Should I send my son to camp? Should I allow my girls to ride their bikes in our campground when we camp? I cannot live my life as a prisoner of fear. And I will not instill the same fear in my children. I live in the safest community we can afford. I have taught my children safety rules. They carry walkie talkies and cells. We have a home alarm and we try to keep the doors locked. I have taught them about the dangers of sick and evil people who live in the world. I watch them when necessary. But I do take my eye off them. And I am amazed that there are mothers on this forum who NEVER TAKE THEIR EYES OFF THEIR CHILDREN! Do you not allow your children to ride bikes? Visit neighborhood friends? Play in their own yard? Go to the mailbox without looking out the window at them? All because of an incredibly infinitesimal chance that some perv will grab them? Ed Smart is sending his daughter off to college in the fall. After her experience, I think this is a testimony to him as well as Elizabeth. They are not living their lives in fear despite Elizabeth's horrific experience.
If my kids are outside (except for our fenced in back yard), there is an adult watching them and that INCLUDES checking the mail.