Stranger Danger?

Do you teach your kids about stranger danger? I'm asking this because I just read an article that really made me think about it, and I have to admit, I really don't say too much about this to our little guy, and I think it's about time I started.

Reading this article, written by Lisa Hallas, an editor for Type A Mom, it was almost like a light bulb went off in my head. I can't believe I've neglected this. I have lots of little excuses running around in my head like "stuff like that doesn't really happen around here" (things around here tend to be isolated incidents). If we're in a busy store, I always put him in the cart. In most stores we are holding hands, he is always in my sight. But everyday he's becoming more independent, and it's only 1 more year before he starts school. I tend to take for granted that he would know what to do, he's pretty smart. Quite aware of what's going on around him...but how can I really think "It wont happen to us."

Things like this have happened to us, to me anyway. I've had major crime happen in my life. 11 years ago my (X) stepfather was stabbed 17 times, from the neck up. (Isolated incident - he survived but lost an eye.) Some day I'll tell the whole story, but I was there and saw it all.

Anyway, It Can Happen. And we need to get prepared. I'm plan to take the advice that Lisa Hallas gives and put it to good use. DS needs to learn what to do if....