The R.O.C.K. Club Cares About Your Children’s Safety and Innocence
Every parent, at one time or another, has heard this tearful question, “Are there monsters under my bed?” And every parent has consoled their fearful child with the confident reassurance that monsters aren’t real. Unfortunately, we live in a world where monsters are real. They are not the hairy, fanged beasts from our nightmares; these monsters exist as dangerous human predators, looking to steal a child’s innocence. Even the culture itself can prey on a child, entering the sanctuary of the home through a television, laptop, or smartphone. At the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we care about your children. And we want to help you keep them safe, physically, mentally, and emotionally. To that end, we’re blogging this month about a few things to consider.
Protect Them from Physical and Internet Predators
It’s practically inconceivable that someone would want to hurt a child, physically, emotionally, or mentally. It is a sad, infuriating reality, however. And a child’s innocence can suddenly shatter by just overhearing one of these horror stories. “Why would someone do that?” is a heartbreaking question for a parent to answer. But honestly, we have to prepare our children for the unthinkable. Warn them about the dangers of strangers. Children can be very trusting. Let them know that even if someone says that they know you, that doesn’t mean that it’s true.
Children Should Run to Safety from Those Who Accost Them
Only send people that they know well to get them, and make sure that they fully understand this. If someone they don’t know accosts them, they should make a scene. They should run for someone they can trust, such as a police officer or a teacher. Teach them the boundaries of acceptable behavior, even with people that they know. Teach them, as well, that an offer of candy and other things is no reason to go with someone.
Parents Must Emphasize Avoiding Internet Predators
However, in our culture, internet predators have replaced the “creepy man in the windowless van” many times. These marauding monsters use the open avenue of computers, laptops, and smartphones to trick and trap young children and teens. Parentsand guardians must use the same mindset and tactics to warn our children about the dangers of internet predators. Whether on gaming consoles or social media, they should not talk to anyone that they do not know. And even with people that they know, they should again understand the boundaries of acceptable behavior.
No ‘Monsters Under My Bed,’ But the Culture Will Prey on Them
Even if you guard your children and teens from human predators, “monsters” can still infiltrate your home. You may not even know it. They come as shows or movies on streaming services, videos on YouTube, or even live streams on gaming channels. The culture is ready to teach your child or teen all of the things that they don’t need to know. You can’t guard their eyes, ears, and minds 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But what you can do is teach them the right things. When banks train their tellers to recognize counterfeit currency, they don’t train them with fake bills. They use real money. These tellers will fully understand the look and feel. Then when a fake bill comes across their counter, they know it is a fake. Use the same approach with your kids. Teach them what is right and good. That way, when something wrong crosses their path, they know it’s wrong. Someone somewhere is going to teach your child. Make sure that someone is you.
The R.O.C.K. Club Wants to Help You
Here at the R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, we care about the families of the New River Valley. Our club wants to help you raise children that stand for the right things as good citizens. With this in mind, we offer a variety of Christian-based educational programs for children from preschool through age 12. We work hard to meet the academic and spiritual needs of families all across our area. Our team would love to help you, too. Contact us today.We care about the safety and mental and spiritual well-being of your children and teens! The R.O.C.K. Club in Radford, VA, offers outstanding and compassionate Christian child care and tutoring. We would also love to tell you how you can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Call us today at (540) 267-3000. Prepare your children for the dangers out there, even if there are no real “monsters under my bed.”