Childs Safety Help!

I'd start carrying pepper spray or mace IF I were you. I'd also keep records of date, time, etc. That this happens to you. So you can report it to the police. I'd also talk to the local P.D. & see what they suggest you should do IF this happens again. Hope this helps.

Now I didnt see that you said how old these people are, but what happens to me is a lot of times there are older people out there who just dont have any children and watching our brings them great joy, I was at a resturant one time and an older gentelman brought my daughter candy, of course I was nervous but he was a regular so I just asked the waitress and she said it was okay, from that day on you should see his face light up when he gets to give my daughter a silly pack of M&Ms and how happy that makes her as well. Holding your children a little weird but I would recommend not saying NO but saying well shes really sick right now i would prefer not, and yes you need to be nervous about you surroundings but dont think everyone is going to snatch your child away that is no life to live and does not teach your children how to interact with various people. Just keep in mind a smile from your daughter to an older couple with no grandchildren could make their day!!

I don't know if you are leaving out pieces of the stories, I mean, were these old people following you or had they followed you? I want to at least give my opinion; every single time I took my children on outings, whether it was to the library, grocery store, gas station, wherever, people of the older generation would ALWAYS come up and comment on my children. Older people love children. Let's face it, many older people don't get the chance to be around little kids much. Unless they have grand children or great grand children that live near them and spend time with them, they don't get that opportunity. It's a fact that most senior citizens are lonely, many of them are retired and really don't have much to do with their time. I used to be as friendly as I could without offering too much. I hope that these people you are describing were just interested in your children because they were cute children and like I said, older people love babies, it's probably been a long time since they had a little one around them. I know there are all kinds of stories out there about children being kidnapped, etc. and yes, we must all be aware of our surroundings and the people around us, but for the most part, I think that these people are just kind, friendly people who probably were talking louder and louder because they cannot hear properly. This generation also isn't used to having people not answer them. They come from a generation that is different from ours and we have to remember this. I do hope you know I'm not saying that you're paranoid or anything. Usually, if we as mothers have a feeling about something and that feeling isn't a good one, we should always listen to those feelings and do what we think is best for our children. I just don't know if perhaps you haven't spent much time around people of that age much, they really do love kids and asking names is something they do. Sit in any family practice office (doctor's office) and if there are old people and babies, chances are the old people are trying to talk to the babies or making comments about the babies and in turn, toddlers usually have a fascination with people of that age group, whether it's the older features, etc. I don't know but toddlers usually will go up and either stare at or try to get their attention. I don't want you to become upset when people try to speak to your children. There are times to be afraid and times to relax. If you are afraid and always thinking someone is out to harm your children, they too will become more scared of people. Try to keep a level head and figure out what kind of person is this, you can usually tell. I find that parents who are at ease and allow their children, with observant supervision, to communicate with older people, raise children who are 'people smart', the main point being that their children aren't terrified of others, that can be a sad, lonely existance for a child. I hope I haven't upset you, I guess I just didn't understand why these people seemed to upset you so much if they hadn't been following you or doing something that was unacceptable to begin with.

The world today can be scary. I know nothing of the detail of these situations or your interaction with other people so you may want to ask yourself the following questions: Do you respond this way when unknown women ask your childs name? Do you respond this way when any unknown man (strange or not) asks your childs name?

Like I said, the world today can be scary, so regardless of what your answers are above you should come up with a standard response when you are not comfortable. Maybe something like “I’m sorry, we don’t talk to strangers” then quickly leave or turn away. Clear communication is always best, if they do not listen you should then report the situation to the appropriate individuals. By doing this you’ll also be demonstrating to your children how to handle similar situations when they are older.

With all of the things on the news about children being abducted, etc, it's great to be suspicious and concerned, as this will hopefully eliminate the possibility of something like this happening to our children, with any luck. But, you seem to have somewhat of a phobia about it, and I'm not saying that in a bad way at all. I am definitely guilty of being a little overprotective with my children, and 2 of my daughters are grown and gone, and I have an 8 yr old daughter at home. Hannah, don't run because you could fall and knock your teeth out. Hannah, stay by me in the store, because a stranger could grab you and take off with you, etc . etc. You get my drift. Sometimes we just have to trust in ourselves, in our children, and in God, that are children will be fine, and do everything in our power to ensure that, but there is a point of going overboard. Otherwise, when our children get older, we will have instilled so many phobias and fears in them, that they will be afraid to do anything. When Hannah was 5 and with her Dad at his parents, her dad let her cross the street and she walked into the path of an oncoming truck! I got a call from her aunt, that she was in an ambulance on the way to the hospital, and I literally lost it! Well, the truck was going very slow and only hit her hand, so she broke her hand and that was it, Thank God! When Hannah was 6, I got a call from the school nurse, that Hannah had fallen on the playground, and that I may need to take her to our small town Dr (quack) for a few stitches. Well, when I arrived at the school, I learned that Hannah had fallen from the top of this old metal slide, that was due to be taken down, and had landed on her head on the cement underneath. They then got her up and walked her over 100yds into the nurses office! I literally freaked out when I saw her! They probably thought that I was very overprotective when I told them that I was taking her to the next town, to the emergency room. It took about 15 minutes for someone to offer to drive us. Well, Hannah had 3 skull fractures, a broken arm, a severe concussion, her whole beautiful face was one giant scrape, and the whole inside of her mouth, where the lip meets the gums, was completely ripped open, and she needed stitches on her temple where one of the fractures was. She had spinal fluid leaking, and she spent 3 days in the hospital. The doctors said that she should not have been moved, as she could have fractured her neck or back, and she could have died or had been paralyzed! This happened at her school, where we believe that our children are safe. My whole point is, that sometimes things happen that are completely out of our control, and it's so hard because as mothers it kills us inside, when we can't protect our children from everything bad. It's great to be cautious, but don't let it drive you crazy, because it will if you let it. I love babies so much, that I would probably freak you out, because I LOVE BABIES! I honestly believe that I'd have more if I could, so I always walk up to babies and talk to them, and I talk to toddlers, and I just honestly love little ones, so I'm looking forward to having grandchildren someday. Be cautious, but enjoy your little ones, and take pride in the fact the other people enjoy them too.

When my children were little, people would approach me all the time to talk to them or ask their names. This is not at all unusual. I would respond politely and they would usually give me a compliment regarding how cute they were. People are interested in babies, I don't think it means that they are sinister. Regarding the incident where someone wanted to hold her. That is a different story, I would never have let a stranger hold my child. I don't think, however, that someone asking your child's name is a threat to her safety. I guess if it makes you feel better to carry pepper spray, you could, but I don't think I would spray people who are simply making polite conversation regarding your beautiful child! =)

I think that one should always follow thier gut instinct. If something didn't feel right, in some way it probably wasn't. Stangers often comment to children, and no harm is done or felt, but maybe since these instances are stickin out in your mind they could have been dangerous. I suggest talking to your clild and stressing stranger danger and teaching how to be safe.

There is a book that is called "Never Talk to Strangers" it is a very kid friendly book that you could read to them to help them understand what you are meaning. Maybe when they understand what strangers are and that you don't talk to them it might help. Very good book my kids learned a lot about strangers with this! Good Luck!

Teaching kids about safety around strangers is very important in our house too. We've taught our kids the phrase, "Stranger danger." I use this phrase a lot in public places and also concerning people that come to our front door. For example, if my five-year-old daughter or four-year-old son wants to walk in a store with me, we always talk about "stranger danger" before we go in. At home, if I'm alone with the kids and I have to take a shower, we always talk about "stranger danger" before I leave the room. So far, it's worked like a charm and they enjoy having a fun phrase to use for a scary subject. Learning how to be "street smart" is a tool they will use for the rest of their lives, so why not start now? Having said all of that, I think it's just as important to teach your kids how to be kind to strangers, rather than teaching fear. My advice to you... be careful that you are sending the right messages to your kids. You can't always control the world around you, but you can be an example of love every day to your kids, even in the grocery store or at the library. Don't be afraid to love people you don't know. You don't have to invite them over to your house, but it never hurts to show a little kindness.

I think you should go with your gut instincts. however if you think that you may be reacting about other things the same way or with fear. then i would start talking to a doctor about anxiety, cause that could be an issue.
i don't have a problem telling people my baby's name and how old. but i more than likely wouldn't let them hold him. there are some nasty people out there, but also good. it is kinda hard to decide which is which sometimes.
good luck.

Always go with your gut instinct. Many people, men and women, approach me and my baby too- and I'm ok with answering basic questions- name, how old- and sometimes they'll as a random question like "is he rolling yet" etc. But, I would never let a stranger hold my baby. And if they continued to make inquiries, yes, I would back off and feel uncomfortable too. Your gut is usually right, just don't forget that there are some nice people out there in the world (not that you should hand your baby to those strangers either)- I think some are just curious and babies, especially one as cute as yours I'm sure, brighten people's day and make them feel connected to others even if they aren't blood relation to the baby.

I would do what you are comfortable with, but I think you may be a little bit overprotective. It is fine not to let someone hold your child that you do not know. I would probably do the same, but as for somebody just asking what your child's name is, they are probably just trying to be friendly. I have had tons of people ask my kids what their names are, and I never found it weird or out of the ordinary. I myself if we are standing in line at the grocery store and there is a little kid in front of us looking at me, I will say hi to them and ask them what their name is if they are old enough. Many times this starts some friendly conversation with their mom while we wait in line. But if you are not comfortable with it, then that is fine.

I don't know if she really is in danger. Maybe she's just extraordinarily pretty, and that's why strangers are so interested in her? Who knows, but I don't think it would hurt to carry pepper spray if it makes you feel more comfortable. If you do ever use it though, be VERY careful. Hold your daughter in your arms, with her face buried in your chest, so your shirt will keep it completely off her face.