A mother of four, Paige Catherine Johnson, recently turned to TikTok, seeking creative and effective methods to enhance child safety. Her request sparked a significant response from other parents, who shared unique strategies that extend beyond the traditional advice of avoiding strangers. “Tell me something unique that sticks with them and gives you peace of mind,” Johnson prompted in her post, which resonated widely with fellow parents.
The responses varied from practical water safety tips to discussions on body autonomy and self-defense. Some suggestions were unconventional, such as using loud expletives in public to deter potential abductors. Others focused on psychological strategies, like teaching children that “adults never ask kids for help” and advising them to trust their instincts about people who make them uncomfortable.
Creative Approaches to Child Safety
One notable tip involved helping children memorize a parent’s outfit in crowded places, allowing them to identify their guardians if they become lost. Additionally, the idea of establishing code words for communication emerged as a vital strategy. This could help children discreetly signal when they need assistance or want to exit a situation without feeling pressured.
A TikTok user aptly described the collective sharing of advice as a “village,” highlighting the community’s role in supporting one another. Johnson, who has children aged 7, 4, 2, and 5 months, emphasized that safety is always on her mind.
Pediatrician Felton from Louisville, Kentucky, weighed in on some of the shared tips, affirming the importance of teaching children the correct anatomical terms for their bodies. “This way, we’re all communicating clearly,” Felton noted, explaining that children should understand which body parts are private. This communication can foster a sense of security and ease during medical examinations, where consent is also crucial.
Water Safety and Monitoring Techniques
Among the suggestions, a user highlighted a technique where parents require their toddlers to give a high-five before entering the pool, ensuring that children do not sneak away unnoticed. Felton supported this approach, adding that proactive measures such as installing gated fences around pools and enrolling children in swimming lessons are essential barriers against drowning.
“Drowning doesn’t look like what we’re trained to believe in TV and movies,” Felton cautioned. “It’s very quick and very quiet. People think it’s splashing and calling for help, but that requires your head to be above water.”
To further enhance water safety, Felton recommended downloading the “Water Watcher Card,” a tool designed to help adults remain vigilant while supervising children in water. The card identifies a designated adult responsible for watching the kids without distractions, a role that rotates after a set time, such as every 15 minutes.
Establishing a secret code word with children can also cultivate trust and facilitate open communication. It allows children to express their need to leave a situation without directly saying “no” to peers. Felton suggested a less intimidating alternative to conventional curfews, proposing the idea of a “leave time” instead. This strategy encourages teens to plan their departure without the pressure of a strict deadline.
The exchange of ideas on TikTok showcases how parents creatively support one another in navigating the challenges of keeping children safe. Johnson’s call for unique strategies has not only enriched her own parenting toolkit but has also fostered a community dialogue on essential child safety practices.
Elise Solé, who specializes in parenting and pop culture for TODAY, highlights the significance of these shared experiences, noting that they provide parents with practical solutions and reassurance in their parenting journeys.
