1. Connect your child with positive people, in positive places to do positive things: A camp, a church program, a youth recreational program.
2. Schedule regular times to speak with your child by phone while you are away at work. For example, every two or three years. The important thing is to communicate. Ask the right questions to get truthful responses.
3. Restrict children from going beyond safe zones. Clearly define the people and places that you consider safe. Try and keep them playing with the same kids, in the same places everyday. Know those kids and know the adults in that place.
4. Partner with the parents of your children's friends. Ask your kids for a list of their friends. Then reach out to the parents of those kids. Form a parental partnership. Discuss expectations, work and activity schedules, and share daily updates. Create a friends’ list with their name, address, phone number and email address.
5. Give your children a daily list of chores that must be performed in order to keep privileges. Expect and inspect to be sure they are done. Reward success and lovingly punish failure to perform.
6. Talk with kids each day to get details of that day’s experiences. How was it? What did you do? Where did you go? What time did you get there? How long did you stay? Who was there? Who did you see? Did you enjoy it? Where did you go from there? How did you get to the store? Were there any fights? Did anyone get into trouble?
7. Assign one child to be your eyes and ears. Be wise about this. A good way to keep kids focused is to make them responsible."Call me at 12noon". "I'm counting on you today". "Can I depend on you to be honest"?
8. Address anything that looks, sounds or smells suspicious. Assume that something is happening that your kids are not telling you. They are kids! Investigate! Monitor their activities and associates very closely.
9. Visit the places they like to go. Make sure your presence is known by the people they associate with. Distinguish yourself as the parent who cares, is concerned and committed to your children's well being.
10. Have as much of your children's day spent at home or in another environment that is well ordered, supervised, positive and safe. Free time and open access to unprotected places and unknown people spells danger.
2. Schedule regular times to speak with your child by phone while you are away at work. For example, every two or three years. The important thing is to communicate. Ask the right questions to get truthful responses.
3. Restrict children from going beyond safe zones. Clearly define the people and places that you consider safe. Try and keep them playing with the same kids, in the same places everyday. Know those kids and know the adults in that place.
4. Partner with the parents of your children's friends. Ask your kids for a list of their friends. Then reach out to the parents of those kids. Form a parental partnership. Discuss expectations, work and activity schedules, and share daily updates. Create a friends’ list with their name, address, phone number and email address.
5. Give your children a daily list of chores that must be performed in order to keep privileges. Expect and inspect to be sure they are done. Reward success and lovingly punish failure to perform.
6. Talk with kids each day to get details of that day’s experiences. How was it? What did you do? Where did you go? What time did you get there? How long did you stay? Who was there? Who did you see? Did you enjoy it? Where did you go from there? How did you get to the store? Were there any fights? Did anyone get into trouble?
7. Assign one child to be your eyes and ears. Be wise about this. A good way to keep kids focused is to make them responsible."Call me at 12noon". "I'm counting on you today". "Can I depend on you to be honest"?
8. Address anything that looks, sounds or smells suspicious. Assume that something is happening that your kids are not telling you. They are kids! Investigate! Monitor their activities and associates very closely.
9. Visit the places they like to go. Make sure your presence is known by the people they associate with. Distinguish yourself as the parent who cares, is concerned and committed to your children's well being.
10. Have as much of your children's day spent at home or in another environment that is well ordered, supervised, positive and safe. Free time and open access to unprotected places and unknown people spells danger.