Guest Article – Teaching Children Good Home Security Habits

home_alarm

Effective home security requires cooperation from all members of a household, including children. Children should be taught good habits early on when it comes to keeping the home and their loved ones safe. If they can’t rely on you to set a good example, then whom else could they look up to? Plus, it’s much easier to teach them something and let them learn by example rather than relying on school teacher and text books. Here are some of the lessons that should be taught on a consistent basis. 1. Lock all doors and windows regularly. Yes, it sounds obvious, but unless adults make it a point to remind children regularly whenever entering or leaving the home, it’s something that can be easily overlooked. Before leaving and upon entering, ask children to check that all entryways and windows are locked. 2. Remember alarm activation and deactivation codes. If you have a monitored alarm system installed, have your children remember the codes. In order to instill a consistent … [Read more...]

Conversations with Kaitlyn – 9/7/10

K with Quaker Delights

Kaitlyn and I have had some interesting conversations lately.  I'm going to have to start carrying around a little notebook in my purse so I can write down her questions and observations. All of these took place in the last few days, which is why I can still remember them :P While waiting in line at Subway: K - "Mama, when I grow up, I wanna work here!" Me - "Well, I'm sure you could do that, sweetie". K - "You know what my job would be? Mopping!" Me (to the sandwich maker) - "Could we take an application now? She's only got 12 years!" While waiting at a stoplight: K - "Mama, LOOK. Someone threw a cup onto the ground over there." Me - "That wasn't very nice of them, was it?" K - "It's wrong to litter, Mama. It's bad for nature!" I get boxes delivered almost every day. While at Target, K. noticed a bunch of team members opening boxes: K - "Mama, LOOK! Look how many boxes THEY got delivered today!" And then there's the constant questions … [Read more...]

Dad plus daughter plus public restroom equals chat with police

Last Monday, Chris worked from home. In the afternoon, he took Kaitlyn to a nearby park to play. This park has two play structures, a newer one near the front and an older one near the back, and a bathroom building.  When Kaitlyn needed to go potty, they were at the front playground, so he put her in the car and drove her to the back of the park to go to the bathroom. Chris has a policy of never taking Kaitlyn into a men's bathroom, because they are always filthy. He doesn't even like the boys going into them. So, Chris took Kaitlyn into the women's bathroom just long enough to help her up onto the potty, then he stood outside the building waiting for her to finish. When she called to him that she was done, he went back in to help her wash her hands, then they got back in the car and drove back to the front of the park. Kaitlyn ran off to play and Chris started chatting with another Dad that was there with his daughter, and as they were sitting there, a police car pulled up.  … [Read more...]