LIFESTYLE | parenting Womanthismonth.com September 2023 75 4. Make sure they have a clear understanding of safe vs. unsafe. Talk with your child about the feeling ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’. Discuss times when your child might feel ‘unsafe’, for instance if they are being pushed down a steep slide; or ‘safe’ when they are snuggled up on the couch reading a book with you. It is important children understand the different emotions that are associated with feeling safe and unsafe. 5. Discuss what it feels like to feel unsafe. Discuss your child’s early warning signs when they feel unsafe, i.e. heart racing, feeling sick in the tummy, sweaty palms, etc. Let them come up with some ideas of their own. Tell your child that they must tell you or a person in their ‘Safety Network’ if any of their early warning signs occur. Reinforce that you will always believe them and that they can tell you anything. 6. Discourage keeping secrets. Instead, talk about ‘happy surprises’ such as not telling Granny about her surprise birthday party. Compare this with ‘unsafe’ secrets such as someone touching their private parts. Make sure your child knows that if someone does ask them to keep an unsafe secret that they must tell someone in their ‘Safety Network’ straightaway. 7. Empower your child to speak up if something feels wrong. Discuss with your child when it is appropriate for someone to touch their private parts; for instance, a doctor when they are sick (but making sure they know you must be in the room). Explain that if someone does touch their private parts (without you there) that they have the right to firmly say, “No!” or “Stop!” and outstretch their arm and hand. Reinforce to your child that they are the ‘boss of their body’ and they do not have to kiss or hug a person if they don’t want to. Explain that we all have a ‘body boundary’ This is an invisible space that surrounds our body, and that no one can enter another person’s body boundary unless they allow it. While this may be a tough topic for you to approach with your child, make sure you take the time to have it, as often as you need to, to protect the wellbeing of your child. Reopening of VOX Cineco The Reopening of VOX Cineco was held at City Centre Bahrain.
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