Supportive Presence Outweighs Privacy in Children.

Have you ever wondered at what age children's brains become fully developed and when they can distinguish right from wrong? It's something I haven't really thought about until now, but I believe kids today are often wiser than those of previous generations. I look forward to finding the answer to these questions when I have my own children.

Let’s discuss the topic of privacy. As a parent or guardian, one of your natural roles is to be protective of your kids. Why? Because as an adult, you are acutely aware of the dangers that exist in the world, and your instinct is to shield them from harm.

We can categorize these dangers into three main types:

1. Danger to oneself
2. Danger to others
3. External danger from others to oneself

Before we can build trust with our children, we must first educate them about the dangers of the world. They need to understand how managing these dangers can help shape them into responsible adults.

Let’s start with "Danger to Oneself."

Kids face numerous dangers, both physically and online. It's crucial to prepare them for this environment before they venture out. Activities that can harm them include accidents, exposure to inappropriate online content, smoking, drinking, stealing, and more. As parents, we must educate them about the consequences of these activities and how they can negatively affect their lives and well-being in the long run.

Now, let's consider "Danger to Others."

These dangers involve actions that can inflict harm on others, such as bullying, physical abuse, and online scams. Again, it's our responsibility as parents to educate our children about the impact of these actions and how they can affect not only the lives of others but also their own well-being in the future.

External Dangers from Others

External dangers refer to harmful activities inflicted upon oneself by others, such as sexual predators and peer pressure from friends. As parents, it is vital to educate our children about the effects of these activities and how they can impact their lives and well-being in the long run.

Once we have explained these dangers to our kids, we must reassure them that they can always confide in us. Building a foundation of trust over the years is essential. One important piece of advice for parents is to avoid fighting or quarreling in front of their children. A divided home is less likely to be strong. By leading by example, we can demonstrate how to avoid these dangers, which will, in turn, foster self-confidence in our children.

Additionally, we need to teach our children how to manage their time effectively. They should understand that there is a time for everything. We should create an environment where they feel assured that if they are doing the right thing at the right time, their parents will support them without complaint.

There is a lot I will still learn since I am not yet a father, but one thing I will try to do is understand my kids and make them feel safe to confide in me.

This is my entry to week 185, edition 02 of the weekly featured contest for reading, and the topic to be discussed is KIDS AND PRIVACY.

_{This image is from pixabay.}