Do you have a password for your kids? Protection not related to computers...
By brokentia
@brokentia (10389)
United States
January 29, 2007 9:43am CST
For those that have school aged children, do you have a password for your kids?
For those that are friends with parents of school aged children, do your friends have passwords for their kids? We protect so many things on the internet and computer world with passwords...but have you thought to protect your children with passwords?
I have seven children. They go to 4 different schools because of their age ranges. So, my odds (statistically) are increased that something bad could happen to my children because I have more than the average parents.
To help protect my children, we have a password. You hear about a sitter, a friend, or a part-time parent picking up kids from school or on the way home and the parent is left worrying at home when the child will get home. It turns ugly fast when the parent learns the child was seen being picked up by someone on their way home. Fear...paralyzing fear sets in. Where is my child? What is happening to my child? Is my child ok? Who has my child? Will I ever see my child again?
I fear for my children. And in turn, I have put that knowledge in them and have supplied them with a password. This password acts as their ok to get a ride from someone. If it is not me or dad (whom, we live together), then they should not ride with anyone that does not have that password!
Example:
My sitter called me at work last year (when I was working) all upset. She explained that it was pouring rain outside so she went to pick up the middle school kids so that they would not have to walk home in the rain. But when she pulled up beside them to give them a ride home, they refused to get in the car. She was furious! Then one of my children went ahead and got in the car, after arguing with my daughter. The sitter then was more upset that my daughter refused to get in the car and insisted on walking home in the rain because the sitter did not know the password! Well, the sitter followed her all the way home mad and then went into my house and called me at work really really mad.
I tried my best to suppress my giggle. But I had to tell her, that my daughter was right and my son was wrong for getting into the car with her! I was shocked that my son had gotten into the car and made a mental note to give him a stern talking to when I got home. I then told my sitter that unless she knows the password, it does not matter who it is, they are never to get in a car or leave with that person unless they know the password. LOL She then asked me what the password was and I had to tell her that I was sorry, but I could not give it to her unless I felt she needed to pick them up. Since they were already home, she had no need for the password. AND even if I gave it to her, it would be changed, as it is always changed if I ever need to use it. So, for her future reference, if she felt the need to pick them up, she must call me first for the password! LOL She was not very happy...but after she calmed down, she understood.
So, my question to you is...do you or your friends have a password to protect your children? If a person typed and typed away at entering different passwords for my accounts online, sure, they could probably steal my money after trying all the different possiblilities (great thing today though, sites put a lock after so many tries). But my children...they know to only give the person one chance for the password. LOL They don't know it...they don't go with them! What are your thoughts?
12 people like this
28 responses
@driscollini (174)
• United States
29 Jan 07
Isn't it sad that in this world that we would have to do this? That protecting our children means that they can't ride home with a babysitter if they don't know the password. I would assume that you trust your babysitter or you wouldn't leave them with your children in the first place and yet if not given the password she can't pick the children up. It makes sense and I understand the need to do anything to protect your children!
Since finding a four year old on the highway (I'm sure you've read my wife's post) my wife has started diligently teaching our 3 year old our telephone number and then will move on to our address. The only problem is that she thinks our last name is "Riscoll" and not "Driscoll". Not how to fix that one.
6 people like this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
30 Jan 07
I did read you wife's post. It was very sad.
Even though I may trust the sitter I had at the time, it was still the principal of what my children have set for them. There can be no exceptions.
And no, I did not want her to pick them up from school just because it was raining. What a horrible mom I am to make them walk one block down and one block over in the rain. LOL I'm melting, I'm melting, Auntie Em! hahaha
My kids and I walk in the rain all the time. We like it. Crazy people that we are. ha ha
I think it is cute that your daughter says "Riscoll". You should record her saying that! :)
5 people like this
@Dara_momto4 (842)
• United States
29 Jan 07
You know, I never thought about a password. I'm kind of ashamed that I haven't. I have 4 children (9,7,4,2) and will sit down with them tonight and give them a password and explain more about it. I've told my kids about not going with any stranger, but sadly forgot to mention other people. I guess I didn't want to think of the possiblity of someone I know harming my kids.
I can remember walking everywhere when I was younger, with no fear of anything bad happening to me. It's a sad state of affairs that kids have to go through so many precautions because of bad people.
4 people like this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
30 Jan 07
I agree, it is sad! I am glad I was able to help you with my discussion. That was the whole point. :)
I am glad I have a password with my children. I ensure me of their safety and their knowledge of being cautious. :)
5 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
29 Jan 07
That is a real neat idea. I will have to give that info to my sister. My son couldn't do that, he has cp and cannot talk, which also is a concern.
3 people like this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
29 Jan 07
My six year old son demands that I tell the password when I ever forget the keys and can't open the door myself. He keeps insisting and in a bossy manner. Password please, otherwise I will not open the door. :) He picked up the password idea after reading the secret seven series by Enid Blyton I think passwords are important to keep children safe.
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
30 Jan 07
Hi Brokentia, YES! I used this method with all four of my children when they were younger. We called it the 'secret word.' There was one occassion that it had to be used, and it was very effective. I had to stay late at work very unexpectedly and called a friend to go and pick my child up after ball practice. He hardly knew this friend, but when she knew the 'secret word' he was comfortable getting in with her! You just can't be too careful anymore. It is a sad world in which we are living. Kudos to you for keeping your children safe!
2 people like this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
30 Jan 07
Kudos to you for having a password and in turn making your son comfortable about getting in the car with your friend! :)
Kids get scared too if they are making the right decision or not.
If we give them the tools, they are more confident and can make wise decisions.
It is a great confidence builder when they know they made a very important and right decision. :) Congrats!
2 people like this
@mixbisnis (99)
• Indonesia
30 Jan 07
Wow, the password for our kids? Like in the spy films. Interesting idea, maybe usefull for living in big city. In my country, its not familiar. I have not heard about that.
This password will make you and your children more closer and more easier to control what happened to them outside home.
Just great idea, mom. :))
@sureshmoe (974)
• India
30 Jan 07
Not neccessary for the kids. They have attaining no maturity in that age...
1 person likes this
@suedarr (2382)
• Canada
29 Jan 07
When my kids were small I used passwords with them for the very reasons you describe. I forget now where I first learned about this technique to safeguard our children, but I thought it was a terrific idea at the time and still do. We used the name of an obscure Russian fairytale character that I figured no one could possibly guess at, particularly as you've said if the kids know that one strike and the person is out. Cheers!
2 people like this
@usmcprincess (299)
• United States
29 Jan 07
Wow I thought this story was hilarious. I commend you on sticking to your password rule. I think that parents that do this are great and not overly protective at all. With all of the things that people are doing to children and children disappearing and the parents not having any clue, I think you have your children aware of their surroundings and at least you know that they know how to keep themselves safe even if it means walking in the pouring rain and not getting in the babysitter's car.
2 people like this
@raveemenon (1071)
• India
29 Jan 07
I met another genius mother. It is me who make here at my home lot of halla bullaha with my wife and my children and make rhetoric speeches about the need to take care of them.I daily hear the stories of Drivers, sitters, and even mischievous erstwhile servants hijacking the children for ransom.You felt the need since you love them a lot and they are of different age and maturity.It is a nice system and the only other advice you need to give them is that they need to be practical and not to be foolish in times of disasters that come in short notice. The story of Casablanca would be a nice way of teaching the small ones. The idea of password would be good even for the adults since i know many couples being cheated in each other's name for money without their knowledge even in this age of mobile phones. It would be nice to introduce a password in case they need to communicate between themselves through a third party .
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
29 Jan 07
Pass words are so very important in todays society. It is a scary world out there. I remember when I was growing up, you never worried about anyone taking your child. But today, it happens on a regular basis. It is truly sad that is has come to this but yes I think ever parent and their child should have a password and I also think it needs to be changed at least annually.
2 people like this
@missmuffet (238)
• United States
29 Jan 07
My kids are grown but I have 2 grandkids. One in first grade and 1 will start next year. The password is a wonderful idea. No matter what kind of line they would give a kid they would still not have the password umless you had told them. I am going to tell my daughter about it as soon as she gets home from work.
2 people like this
@Ambur25 (1006)
• United States
30 Jan 07
I think this is an awesome idea. The hospital had a password when I had my oldest son. They would bring him to me IN the hospital room, yet still ask me for the password. When I went to get him, they'd ask me again. And if a nurse came to get him from my room for tests, I was to ask the nurse for the password.
I will talk to my oldest son about this tomorrow, and get our own password. Great job! =)
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
30 Jan 07
My parents actually did this with me when I was little and that was back 30 years ago. Back then it was my father's clock number at work. Nice and easy for us to remember. We had one when my neice was going to day cares or when we were both working so that way only select few could pick her up. We haven't used one in a while with her because she knows the few people who can and would pick her up, all family or the one next door neighbor and that is it, no one else. She's also 12 now so that makes a difference as well.
@patootie (3592)
•
30 Jan 07
What an excellent idea .. so simple so easy and pretty much infallible ... your children must feel much safer knowing they have a secret password .. I hope everyone reading this who has children will think about using this simple technique to safeguard their children ...
1 person likes this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
29 Jan 07
I have heard of this often and I think its a great thing to do- My daughter is 10 and she kows the people she is allowed to leave with- It is me, Dave (fiance), grandparents and 1 cousin. That is it- Anyone else and she needs to hear from me directly. She has a cell phone. She knows the rules. I think that was great of your children to not ride with the babysitter. I have to say though that our daycare would certainly be on the list of password people. I truly trust her and would let her get my daughter if there was an emergency. otherwise I wouldn't let my daughter go there in the first place.
I've also told my daughter what to do in case of stranger danger... Yell, fight, scream, hit and not to stop until someone sees her. Hopefully the person would leave her alone in fear of drawing attention to themselves.
@swapnshop (219)
• Canada
30 Jan 07
No offense but I feel this is kind of dumb. So your kids arent going to get a ride from their grandparents, uncles, friends parents, or god knows who. What happens if its foggy the visibily is low and they refuse to get in a vehicle and get a ride home. Or the pooring rain example, they knew who it was they knew it was safe, who needs a password. I see your boy is the smart one of the pair(no offense or anything) or more likely hes just the older one. Honestly if someone wanted to abduct your kids or anything bad like that a password isnt going to save them. I'm not saying its going to happen but I did find this idea quite funny.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
9 Mar 07
I respect that you have a strong opinion on this. But please do not insult the intelligence of my daughter by saying my son is the smart one.
Because by all means, my daughter WAS doing what I taught them AND SHE is the older one!
I strong disagree with you. Often abducts happen by luring a child. And just because they knew the sitter, did NOT mean it was safe! My own brother was the sitter for my toddlers and put my child that was not even 3 years old yet into the hospital because he lost control of his emotions.
So, trust is a factor. Regardless if you know someone or not...my children's safely comes first. And if a password is what will ensure that they have better control of knowing if they should go near a car or not, then I have helped them to be safer just a fraction more.
