On the general topic of security - Does anyone else worry about raising their child in an apparent ever increasingly crazy world? I mean, I watch CNN and Fox News when they talk about having plans for food/water storage, medicine, protection, gas masks, plastic tarps or sheets to cover doors and windows, etc... If its not terrorism and the world disliking the US, its natural disasters and flu pandemics, or serial shooters and rapists, or another Amber Alert, and so on. I guess I never really woried about it when it was just me, but now I really worry about the overall saftey and life security for my daughter. Should I just chill or should I be more active in planning for these types of things? What do you other parents think?

I think for us members here in AZ it's been pretty rough. We have had a ton of bad things happen to us over the past few months. I am not sure if any of our members outside of AZ know much about the serial killers that were running loose out here (one still is), but it really makes you think about the shape that the world is in today. The best thing we can do is raise our kids to be as good of a person as possible. That's where it all starts. If everyone raises their child to the best of their abilities. Inspires them to be well rounded, contributors to society -- then the world will be a better place. Sorry, I might sound overly optimistic, but I believe that as long as we strive to make this world a better place, someday (hopefully soon), it will be! : )

I understand exactly what you guys mean. It is very intimidating to raise your children in today's world. Watching the news has become quite a depressing affair. It is almost better to not watch the news sometimes. I agree with the afore-mentioned statement though that all we can do is to raise our own children properly. In doing this, the world has the potential to become a better place.

I think that if we are paranoid about things that go on in life then its gonna make our kids paranoid. Thats just not healthy. I agree that there is alot of evil out there but we cant be fearful of it all. Im an EMT and work for Southwest Ambulance in Mesa. I see alot of garbage out there. But you have to teach your children that Yes there are bad people out there BUT there are more good people. Have to teach them to be secure in themselves and to be better then the bad people out there. Show them how to protect themselves and to know who the bad are out there. Please dont make your children afraid of the world, teach them to be strong so they can change the world when they grow up. Keri

Vigilance is important. And knowing your neighbors. But in reality, the fear factor sells so well, they even made a show out of it. Statistically speaking, there are less than 120 abductions per year (which is still 120 too many). Not that one shouldn't be constantly aware of the danger, but good people can't let their lives be dictated by bad people, or all is lost. Great post Keri. FYI [quote] To date two such studies have been completed. The first National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART-1) was released in 1990, and the second, known as NISMART-2, was released in October 2002. According to NISMART-2 research, which studied the year 1999, an estimated 797,500 children were reported missing; 58,200 children were abducted by nonfamily members; 115 children were the victims of the most serious, long-term nonfamily abductions called "stereotypical kidnappings"; and 203,900 children were the victims of family abductions. [/quote] http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servle ...

Keri! That was beautiful! It is scary and I tend to be on the protective side. (I really relate to Nemo's Dad.) I think that we need to teach our children to be good people despite the bad things, and not be afraid to stand up for the right things. I'm finding it's a hard balance to keep them protected from the things they simply don't need to know about, yet educate them enough to protect themselves in situations that may arise.

It does tend to be difficult learning to balence the freedom of our growing children and sheltering them from harm. We just need to teach them about things that happen and help them to understand that it could happen but the chances are slim. My daughter always has worried about the house catching on fire and I have told her that none of the houses I have lived in have caught fire But I have taught them how to get out of the house and have a plan of action if it ever does. I think that is the best thing to do. Answer the kids truthfully when they ask about certain things like house fires. Then give them a plan of action. Dont just go telling them every bad thing in the world when they are eating dinner and not talking about it. If we raise fearful children today they will be fearful adults tomarrow. Keri

There should be nothing to fear but fear itself. With that said, I fear some random whacko grabbing my princess off the street. **shudder** I have certain rules that must apply. Outside of that, anything goes.

Keri, That was very well said. Reading about what the mom's on mommytalk say gives me hope that there are a lot of good people out there trying to raise good children and do good things.