If you don’t know who I am or who my kids are but still feel comfortable enough to smile, wave, or engage with them, I want to express my gratitude. Thank you for not viewing us as mere “strangers.” I see you as a part of our community, a neighbor, and I want my children to feel the same way. Even if you seem a bit quirky—perhaps especially then—we will continue to view you as a fellow human being.
When you share a smile with us, it helps me remember that the little one racing away from me toward yet another puddle (somehow wearing only one shoe) is actually quite amusing, maybe even delightful. Your interactions remind me to appreciate these moments, and your greetings make the world feel friendlier for my kids.
I cherish seeing my children wave back at you, and I admire how our 4-year-old son can strike up conversations with anyone—whether it’s other parents at the park, grandparents, or even that couple trying to catch a nap while my son animatedly offers them snacks. Thank you for your patience during those moments.
Yes, there are dangers in the world; I understand that. But my children, currently 4 and 2 years old, are still under my watchful eye. During these formative years, I strive to teach them to trust their instincts and recognize when someone makes them uncomfortable. I want them to understand to never accept anything from anyone or go anywhere with strangers. For now, my presence provides that safety net.
As I model social behaviors for my children, I want them to engage with others and recognize that they deserve respect and a baseline of trust unless proven otherwise. Sometimes, a person may give them an uneasy feeling, and it’s crucial they pay attention to that instinct, but I’m also helping them differentiate between genuine intuition and unfounded bias.
While the reports of child abductions, although statistically rare, fill me with concern, I believe that isolating ourselves and viewing everyone as a potential threat only divides communities. This fear can foster hostility, as seen when a stranger in a store lashes out at another parent.
Fortunately, the data shows that children today are safer than they have been in decades, and most people are not harmful. I may be optimistic, but I find that treating others with trust often yields better results than defaulting to suspicion.
I don’t want my children to grow up fearing everyone they haven’t met yet, especially those who may look or live differently. They should listen to their instincts but also learn to be assertive and self-sufficient. I aim to cultivate an attitude that avoids suspicion as a default, as fear can lead to anger, and anger can breed hate—something we should all strive to avoid.
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Summary
This article discusses the importance of teaching children to engage with strangers positively while maintaining awareness of their instincts. The author’s approach fosters community connections and encourages children to develop trust and assertiveness in their interactions.