Tips That Can Save Your Kid’s Life.
THIS IS IMPORTANT
When I was a child, from the time I was about four and could understand things, my mom told me and my brother that we should have a secret word. That way, if we were ever in trouble or felt unsafe and we didn’t want the people around us to know we needed her to come get us, we could let her know. So she let us pick the word and my brother and I chose the phrase “peanut butter cups.” (I’m happy to share the phrase now since both my brother and I are adults now).
I used the phrase twice in my life. Once, I was at a friends house when I eight years old. Her dad got really drunk and was throwing things against the wall. I was really scared and I didn’t want to draw attention to myself on the phone when I called my mom to come get me because I didn’t know if he would get more violent if I asked her to come get me. So I called her and was calm and after a couple minutes I asked “Hey mommy, did you get me those peanut butter cups from the store?” And she said “I’ll be right there.” And she came and got me within minutes.
Second, I was a teenager spending the night at a friends house. Her brother and dad were drinking and they started talking about things that made me uncomfortable – ie: what they liked to do to women. My friend didn’t seem perturbed and said that was normal for them and that I shouldn’t worry. But I was worried because they were really drunk and I was 15 and the only ‘woman’ around that wasn’t related to them. I went in my friends room, told her I needed to call my mom and say goodnight. Before I hung up with her I asked “Next time we go to the store, can we get some peanut butters cups? I’ve been craving them.” And she came and got me, just like that.
Two incidents, one as a young child, one years later as a teen. Don’t discredit this stuff, it fucking works. My brother used it a few times too. Let your child pick the word and no never, ever, ever, ever get mad at them for using it no matter what it is.
DO NOT SCROLL PAST THAT.
I am currently 21. I live with my big brother and have been in my fair share of shady situations. And I know for a fact that he can help me in any situation I need. But we have a code word. I can call him any time of day anywhere he is anywhere I am and say our code word/phrase and he will drop everything and come get me. I have only had to use it once, and on his way to me he called the cops so the situation wouldnt escalate further.
Never think this is unnecessary or people being paranoid and never think you are too old to be safe.A note on words that alarm others: I was always taught not to shout “help”, because apparently shitty people think it’s funny to run through grocery stores and stuff yelling for help. Instead, I was taught to shout “fire” or “stranger” or (when I was older) “rape”, because all those words ring alarm bells in people’s heads.
Additionally, my parents and I had a code word that meant that somebody was safe to talk to or go with. I don’t remember what it was anymore, but my parents always told me that if for some reason they needed someone I didn’t know very well to pick me up from school, that person would always know the code word. They told me that if anybody tried to get me to go somewhere with them and I didn’t know them, and they didn’t tell me the right code word, I needed to make a scene and scream and yell and run as fast as I could.
Having a code word would have saved my family a lot of hassle when my dad decided to shave the full beard he’d worn my entire life before picking me up from preschool, because teeny Hedge 100% did not Recognize.
but seriously, this is the kind of thing I was taught and it’s v. important
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Thoughtfulfangirling 