Best way to protect your child?

DoubleDoors

theoretica wrote: »

She needs to protect herself. If she is interested, a good self defence course would probably be worth looking into.

To go to Sixth From College??? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

DoubleDoors wrote: »

To go to Sixth From College??? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I don't think a basic self-defence class in sixth form is a bad idea. I still remember what I was taught around that age, only needed to use the knowledge once and I'm now in my 60s!

BUT it's whether the daughter would be up for it, without making her think the big bad world is something to be scared of.

It's even possible there's something available at college.

Mojisola

Best way to protect your child?

geek84 wrote: »

My daughter recently started 6th form school, and she needs to catch 2 different buses in order to get to her new school.

She has never caught a bus before, and with the dark and cold evenings coming soon, I am worried for her safety.

The best way to protect your child is to give them basic life experiences like planning a journey and going on a bus and a train!

Also talk through 'what if' situations and get them to think about how they would react and what they would do to sort out problems and keep themselves safe.

tyllwyd

If your daughter is OK with having it on her phone, there is an app called Life360 which tracks the phone, so you could reassure yourself that she is where she is supposed to be.


I agree that a dummy run with you on the buses beforehand is a good idea, but if she's doing it every day she'll very quickly become an old hand. Agree with her what to do if a bus is late or doesn't turn up - maybe she needs a purse with £10 in it so she can get a taxi in an emergency?


(And I'd agree with people who say that a teenager who is NOT looking at their phone while sitting on the bus is very odd nowadays.)

DoubleDoors

tyllwyd wrote: »

If your daughter is OK with having it on her phone, there is an app called Life360 which tracks the phone, so you could reassure yourself that she is where she is supposed to be.

Not having a go at you but I think this kind of mindset is why teens and young adults are experiencing a tidal wave of anxiety and mental health issues now.

16-17 year olds don't need to be tracked like parcels, they should be out and about, going to gigs, going to college, going out with their mates etc

lika_86

I would suggest a few simple things (nothing too nuts):
- making sure she knows that it's better to hand over her stuff if mugged than to fight back
- have a tenner tucked away in a coat pocket somewhere in the event of having to hand over all her stuff (so she can still get home or somewhere else), I think you can get keyrings that hold money, she should keep her keys on her if possible rather than in a bag
- not wearing headphones or having a phone out, both make you more vulnerable
- not taking short cuts down unlit lanes or through parks
- knowing what to do if she thinks she's being followed

annandale

We are talking about someone coming home from college. On buses that will very likely be very busy. We are not talking about her coming home at midnight after a shift from work.

Please do not track her with an app. Make sure that she has enough money for emergencies and credit in her phone and let her get on with things.

barbarawright

I've always lived in big cities so I find it truly amazing that someone an reach the age of 16 without ever having been on a bus before. Presumably OP has used public transport though - why do you find the idea scary? I've been travelling by public transport for 40 years and can count on one hand the number of times I've felt the slightest bit uncomfortable (and I've never felt in any danger ever even on nightbuses full of drunks). What do you think is going to happen to her?

theoretica

DoubleDoors wrote: »

To go to Sixth From College??? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

For life. Also first aid would be no bad thing.

DUTR

tyllwyd wrote: »

If your daughter is OK with having it on her phone, there is an app called Life360 which tracks the phone, so you could reassure yourself that she is where she is supposed to be.


I agree that a dummy run with you on the buses beforehand is a good idea, but if she's doing it every day she'll very quickly become an old hand. Agree with her what to do if a bus is late or doesn't turn up - maybe she needs a purse with £10 in it so she can get a taxi in an emergency?


(And I'd agree with people who say that a teenager who is NOT looking at their phone while sitting on the bus is very odd nowadays.)

Earlier in the thread some said give the child a basic phone.... a basic phone doesn't run apps