Make Room For Hope

I'd like to spend this week talking about what's happening with our kids, and our world. We have had a really tough month , with bad news being reported every day. Abductions. Attempted abductions. Runaways. Beatings. Not to mention all the Bullying issue's.

I thought it was just me, feeling like each days news was worse than the days before, until I talked to a few friends over the week end. That's when I discovered there are many nervous and scared parents out there. Some have even decided not to watch the news anymore, using the theory "if I don't know about it, nothing has happened". Please understand, I am not criticizing parents for taking a break from the bombardment of terrifying news concerning our kids and their safety.

I took a three day break from the world this week, courtesy of the flu, and feel much better mentally and physically, because of the break. After standing back for three days, I have a new feeling. HOPE! That's right. I have HOPE!

Seeing the hundreds of volunteers coming out in Toronto to help look for a runaway boy gives me hope.

Seeing the friends and neighbors supporting the family in Manitoba while they look for their daughter gives me hope.

Having dozens and dozens of parents stopping me in the mall, or the street to say their kids learned a lot about bullying during our "lets give bullying a pink eye" day gives me hope.

Seeing the "hits" increase everyday on our web site gives me hope, because it means more parents are getting involved in the safety of their kids.

All of this mean's, we are on the correct path. We just need to keep getting the word out. We need to keep talking to our kids.

NEVER stop talking to your kids about their safety. If your not sure of what to say, there are many quality, informative and FREE web sites out there to look at, that will get you started. You do not need to spend money to get this information. That gives me hope.

So if you need to, take a break from the news for a few days, and get some perspective. Just don't take a break from watching your kids. EVER!

Remember to review our two part Halloween Safety series in our Tip of the Week Library, and if your planning on Fireworks, NEVER let your kids handle or play with them. Did you know, 24% of Halloween emergency Hospital visits are children 5 years of age or younger with "Sparkler" burns ?

Have a SAFE and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Steven