A note came home from school today stating that a white guy in his mid-30s had approached a child from a neighbouring school in an old van, offered the kid candy, and then tried to grab the kid. My jaded gut suspects that this is bordering on "instead of a right hand, he had a HOOK!" territory, but of course there may very well be a sleazy dude out there who thinks old school dodgy vans and candy lures are the way to go.
In any event, the school has asked us to review stranger danger with the kids.
This is how that conversation turned out:
Me: ... and so, if a grown-up ever tries to get you to do something you think is wrong, or yucky, or makes you feel weird and you don't like it, tell a grown-up you trust right away. Don't worry about getting in trouble, or anyone getting mad at you, or making you feel embarrassed. Those kinds of things are always the grown-up's fault, never the kid's. Just tell a grown-up you trust.
J: Like who?
Me: Seriously?
A (snuggling up to me): *I* trust you, mom!
J: I meant AT SCHOOL.
Me: I was just kidding. Okay, well - - same deal. Tell a teacher you trust.
A: But sometimes, even if it's all someone else's fault, you still get in trouble.
Me: Oh, no. That won't happen.
A: Yes! Like, if you told on some kids who were knocking over cones, then you would get in trouble too, even though *you* weren't the one knocking over the cones!
Me: Okay ... this is different ...
J: What would happen to the grown-up?
Me: Well, the police would be called.
J: Would they go to jail?
Me: If they were charged and a judge found them guilty, then yes.
J: How long would they be in jail for?
Me: Hang on. I'll get my Criminal Code.
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