Your Child Is in Danger! - Cautious as Serpents

It is the rare pedophile who uses physical force to molest a child.  They generally prefer to befriend children first. Jesus' advice to be "cautious as serpents" is thus appropriate.  (Matthew 10:16)  Close supervision by loving parents is one of the best safeguards against abuse.  Some molesters look for a along in a public place and strike up a conversation to spark the child's curiosity. ("Do you like motorcycles?" "Come see the puppies out in my truck.")  True, you cannot be with your children at all times. And child-care experts recognize that children need some freedom to move around.  But wise parents are cautious about granting children too much freedom prematurely.

Make sure you get to know well any adults or older youths who are close to your children, using extra caution when deciding who should care  for your children in your absence.  Be wary of baby-sitters who make your children feel funny or ill at ease. Likewise, beware  of teenagers who seem to have an excessive interest in younger children and have no friends their own age.  Thoroughly check out day-care facilities and schools. Tour the entire premises and interview the staff, observing carefully how they interact with children.  Ask if they mind i you drop in to check on your children at unexpected times; if this not allowed, look elsewhere. - See Awake! of December 8, 1987, pages 3-11. 

The sad truth is, however, that not even the best of parents can control everything that happens to their children. - ECCLESIASTES 9:11. 

If parents work together, there is one thing they can control: The home environment. And since the home is where most child abuse occurs, that will be the focus of our next article. 

Next time: Your Child Is in Danger! - He Cried Out for Help

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