As Moms we try our best. We go without sleep when our kids need us. We push through the exhaustion, the stress and all the other things we have going on. We don’t stop even when our bodies crave sleep. We follow through until the end.
Our main goal – keeping our children safe so they can enjoy their childhood. We want them to learn lessons, but at the same time we want to protect them from the outside dangers.
One of the biggest fears we have as Moms is failing. Not being enough and not providing for our children.
For me, I have never once doubted how good of a mom I am. I know I am the best mom for my son. However, I know there are some areas I need to work on – my skills at being observant when we’re out and about.
Self Defense Tips For Mom
Put Your Phone Down
Having your phone at your fingertips is nice. How many of us pull out our phones as we walk through parking lots and stopped at stop lights? Probably most of us are guilty of it. But one of the biggest self defense tips is actually just putting your phone down. Without your phone in your hands your head will be up and your eyes will be forward.
Make eye contact with others as your pass them. You don’t have to stare, but make eye contact and smile or say hello. Show your confidence and secretly, you will be better able to identify someone later.
Be Observant Of Your Car
When you go to get into you car, come up from behind. Peek into your back windows and take a quick glance under your car. You can easily look under your car as you walk up from behind without having to bend over. Also, don’t unlock your car doors until you’re ready to open your door handle. If you place your child in their car seat then shut and lock the doors as you walk around to get in the driver’s seat.
Carry Your Keys Or A Striking Tool
If you walk through parking lots or garages, make sure you carry your keys as a weapon. You can easily place your keys in between your fingers to use as a self defense weapon. Another option is carrying a striking tool on a breakaway keychain connected to your purse. You can easily access your tool with a quick, swift pull and then have the ability to defend yourself from an attacker. A personal favorite is a striking tool that’s connected to my purse so it’s easily reachable if needed.
Keep Pepper Spray Close
Do you carry pepper spray? If not, you should! It’s a staple in my purse when I’m out and about. It gives me a peace of mind knowing that I’m able to easily access my pepper spray to ward off attackers. When you purchase pepper spray, make sure you have one of the hottest ones available on the market and one with a UV indicator so that the perpetrator can be identified days later. One of my favorite pepper sprays comes with a glow-in-the-dark nozzle so that it can easily be seen in dark parking lots.
Wear An Alarm
Do you remember as a young girl having to wear a whistle around your neck to ward off strangers? No? Just me…? Weird. I remember wanting to wear a whistle to play teacher with friends, but my parents warned me that I should only blow the whistle if I was in trouble and needed them. Sometimes I think it was so I wouldn’t continuously blow it nonstop, but I know it was more of a safety issues.
What alarms do you wear? Do you even think about it? I’m sure you can easily wear a whistle around your neck or you can find a better, more discreet alternative. There are whistles disguised as necklaces, like this leaf one or one that can be connected to your keychain.
Teaching Your Kids Safety Tips
Play Games
Most kids love games, so you can easily find some sort of fun way to teach your child safety tips. Nowadays the conversations we need to have with our children can be hard. Really hard. So we need to make sure we’re preparing ourselves to have those conversations. You can purchase a game like this one or you can do your research and find your own ways.
Another great game is to teach your children to be observant. Ask them to describe cars in parking lots, shirts from people you pass, and so on. That’s our favorite game. As we walk through parking lots we describe the color and type of car we walk by. Now at two years old there is only so much he pays attention to or remembers for a longer period of time, but we’re working on it.
Describe favorite characters from TV shows or books – see if they can remember their outfits, their names and so on.
Know Your Child’s Schedule
Understanding your children’s school routine, after-school and weekend activities is the perfect way to be aware of what’s going on. Make sure you know what other adults are going to be around and if they’re staying at a friend’s house. Make yourself present at all of your children’s events so you become more aware of who is around.
Teach Them Stranger Danger
You can preach all day about stranger danger, but make sure your kid knows who and what a stranger is. Make sure they know who are not strangers. You can create a secret password between the family and your child. This helps to make sure they know and can easily tell who is a stranger.
Teach Them To Use A Personal Alarm
You can purchase your little on a whistle to wear so that if something should happen then they have a tool to use. Another option is a battery operated personal alarm. That has an easy to switch and even a flashlight for your child to hook to their keychain or carry inside their backpack.
Ready for more?
Tired of feeling overwhelmed from all. the. things. on your to-do list? Then grab my Cross Stress Off Guide. This easy-to-follow exercise will have you feeling more relaxed, calm and ready to take on the world. This guide is perfect for busy moms looking for ways to get more done in less time. Grab yours HERE.
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Another option is carrying a striking tool on a breakaway keychain connected to your purse. Thanks!!
So true! I love my breakaway keychains and have one with my striking tool and the another with my pepper spray. Great tip!