I don't know about you but it seems to me we are going about addressing safety in the wrong way. If you look at the way the brain works, you understand that behavior is the last process in functioning. For instance, thinking comes first, then feelings, and actions are the result of both. I checked over a thousand websites on child safety and almost all focus on behavior.

Several years ago a plane crash landed in Canada and a 15 year old girl was one of the heroes. When asked how she was able to help so many people off the plane she had an interesting and insightful response. She said that when she knew the plane was going to crash, she thought about her options. She could either panic or think it through and help people get off the plane. She decided she was be focused on surviving instead of panicking and being scared. She made a choice because she thought first.

As parents, we need to focus on helping our children think through these type of moments so they have a memory to draw from if and when a crisis ever comes. When a child is having a temper tantrum, that is the perfect time to inform them that the meltdown behavior is only acceptable if someone is trying to grab them. By letting them know there is a time and place for outrageous behavior, they will also know not every adult is to be obeyed.

Here is the bottom line: Safety needs to be a lifestyle, not a technique. If it is a part of our routine to incorporate moments that are taught on these unfortunate realities of the times in which we live, our children will be better prepared if and when they are faced with an unforeseen crisis.

Think about it!

Catherine