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25 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 26,2019 theifp.ca Shelter 519.833.2287 Thrift Shop 905.702.8661 www.uppercredit.com info@uppercredit.com Charitable Registration #893738872RR0001 The Upper Credit Humane Society wishes you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 315 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-877-5289 CANADIAN TIRE A parent has no greater responsibility than to as- sure their children are safe. Thankfully, the probability of our children being ab- ducted by a stranger is very small indeed. In fact, car accidents and walking to the park are statistically way more hazardous. Most abductions are the result of custody battles gone ugly. Most parents teach their children that they should "never talk to strangers" but the biggest threat our child must deal with is warding off adults they know. Fifty per cent of girls will be sexual abused in some manner by the time they reach adulthood. Most of these assaults will be by people they know; their family members, neighbours or teachers. If you have raised your daughter to "respect her el- ders" to be "polite" and "obey" you have extra work to do. These children are least prepared to deal with an adult who abuses their power. One video-based pro- gram developed in Toronto by fellow Adlerian Larry Nisan is called Protective Parenting. This program shows parents and kids how adults typically "trick" children. It offers families ways to insure that a child never has to think and de- cide about adult "trickery" by teaching these 10 power rules. 1. Take two great big steps back (from an ap- proaching adult or car) 2. "I won't go with some- one I don't know" 3. Adults should seek help from other adults NOT from kids 4. Always have a family password 5. Never display your name (on hats, T-shirts etc.) 6. Kids can't sign con- tracts (to be on commer- cials etc.) 7. Don't go without your parents' permission 8. Hands off the bathing suit area 9. It's okay to tell the bad secrets 10. A weapon means SCREAM, YELL, KICK and RUN Alyson Schafer is one of Canada's most notable parenting experts. She is a family therapist with a clinical practice in Toron- to, and has penned three bestselling parenting books. To read more arti- cles, visit alysonschafer- .com IS NOT TALKING TO STRANGERS ENOUGH? ASK ALYSON OPINION IF YOU HAVE RAISED YOUR DAUGHTER TO RESPECT HER ELDERS TO BE POLITE AND OBEY YOU HAVE EXTRA WORK TO DO, WRITES ALYSON ALYSON SCHAFER Column FIND BREAKING NEWS DAILY AT THEIFP.CA