How can we name these dangers for our girls? How shall we convey a spirit of optimism while we teach our children the skill set with which they can ascertain dangers? Some of the best resources yet discovered are Gavin DeBecker's site and book, "Protecting the Gift: How to Keep Children and Teens Safe and Parents Sane."
Mr. DeBecker narrates the second book, himself, so if you can find it on CD, it is definitely the way to go. His voice is dispassionate, but his tone is quite serious while he makes the point that if we are afraid all of the time, we become less safe. He focuses on the strengths of the "wild brain," and says that we are too overly compliant with strangers' requests. That avoidance of being reluctant to not "give someone the benefit of the doubt" can be very dangerous. This is mandatory reading/listening for parents around here...
