@ Zuckerschnecke - totally agree, whilst I appreciate the UK is only the size of one state of the US, despite probably having a higher population than one state, we are still quite immune to the horrors that go on, yes we do get some that shock the country.
In hindsight, I put my toddler at risk almost 20 years ago; at primary school they were given "reading partners" from an older class, this reading partner and her chums would call for my child to go and play down the park (approx 200 metres away from home), it was a bit of free time for me between finishing work, and preparing the evening meal: at this time I was also aware that my child was known to the people who's home backed on to the park, and dog walkers: subsequently found out her father was a bit dubious, and I stopped it.
We were in an area where we all looked out for each other, and everyone knew everyone (and all the gossip!).
It could have turned out so much worse.
On the other hand, my then milkman's daughters came knocking on my door one day, saying there was a strange man down the fields "being creepy" - they hardly knew me, but I was the closest that they did know, and I took them in and phoned their home.
It's very easy to put your trust in people, familiarity and routine makes you less wary.
The best advice I can give is to educate your kids on what to do if they are feeling uneasy in a situation that they still have some control over. Also re the parental concern on Reena - my child from the age of two had a mini plastic chair that was dragged around , either to see what I was doing on the worktop in the kitchen, or to open the door. I wanted my child to be able to open that door, and was given strict instructions on how to get out of the house, and in which circumstances, and which neighbours to go to should the need arise, eg I've fallen down the stairs and was unconscious, there was a gas explosion or fire. We also talked from a young age, that if there was a fire in the night, the best way to get out of an upstairs floor: to get out and raise the alarm, as me and hubby may be overcome by smoke. These things need to be talked through with a child, and I'd say from the age of 2 - 3: obviously in language that is suitable for the individual child, not too scary, but matter of fact - they will feel happier knowing what to do.
Unfortunately, this would apparently not have worked for poor Bella, as she was in a house she should have felt safe in.
Sorry a bit/lot Off topic there.
In hindsight, I put my toddler at risk almost 20 years ago; at primary school they were given "reading partners" from an older class, this reading partner and her chums would call for my child to go and play down the park (approx 200 metres away from home), it was a bit of free time for me between finishing work, and preparing the evening meal: at this time I was also aware that my child was known to the people who's home backed on to the park, and dog walkers: subsequently found out her father was a bit dubious, and I stopped it.
We were in an area where we all looked out for each other, and everyone knew everyone (and all the gossip!).
It could have turned out so much worse.
On the other hand, my then milkman's daughters came knocking on my door one day, saying there was a strange man down the fields "being creepy" - they hardly knew me, but I was the closest that they did know, and I took them in and phoned their home.
It's very easy to put your trust in people, familiarity and routine makes you less wary.
The best advice I can give is to educate your kids on what to do if they are feeling uneasy in a situation that they still have some control over. Also re the parental concern on Reena - my child from the age of two had a mini plastic chair that was dragged around , either to see what I was doing on the worktop in the kitchen, or to open the door. I wanted my child to be able to open that door, and was given strict instructions on how to get out of the house, and in which circumstances, and which neighbours to go to should the need arise, eg I've fallen down the stairs and was unconscious, there was a gas explosion or fire. We also talked from a young age, that if there was a fire in the night, the best way to get out of an upstairs floor: to get out and raise the alarm, as me and hubby may be overcome by smoke. These things need to be talked through with a child, and I'd say from the age of 2 - 3: obviously in language that is suitable for the individual child, not too scary, but matter of fact - they will feel happier knowing what to do.
Unfortunately, this would apparently not have worked for poor Bella, as she was in a house she should have felt safe in.
Sorry a bit/lot Off topic there.
