Educate, Empower, Engage: A Parent’s Guide to Child Safety Discussions

When it comes to topics like sexual abuse, we often operate at two extremes: either denying its existence in our circles and choosing silence or reacting with pain and anger when violations come to light. The middle ground, creating a safe space to educate, empower, and have open discussions, remains an area where we struggle to find clarity on how to proceed. In continuation to my previous post on ‘Bitter chocolate”, I received queries regarding broaching the topic of safety and boundaries to children, experiences of parents who tried discussing this concern at school, with friends and community. I must confess, I was a bit worried when I was writing the post here, all my life, I have never found a soul (except researchers and practitioners who work in this field) care to discuss this topic.

I have been thoroughly disappointed by the blatant denial of this concern existing in mother’s groups, school groups, schools and family circles. Dr Meghna- The Therapist Mommy it meant a lot to me to read your comment. And to all the parents who messaged me asking books and materials, I am sharing a few books that has helped my daughter and children I have worked with.
I conducted two reading circles last year for parents, where we explored these books together. What touched me the most was how as parents reading these books helped us reflect on our childhoods, understand the inner world of our children and prepared us to navigate the discussion of boundaries and safety for children.
I love Jayneen Sanders (aka Jay Dale) work and I recommend her work to parents and educators.
There are read aloud versions of these books on Youtube, I am not sharing a brief for this reason. You will also find free pdf’s online, but I do believe the passion and dedication to the work done for this cause needs to be rewarded and purchasing these books is your way of supporting the same.

I will be organizing a virtual reading circle for parents and children in March- April this year, if you are interested to join the reading circle please DM here: Child Safety