How nice is it to be a kid, right? No worries or responsibilities. There’s so much exploring and discovering to do in this world, unconditional love in a stable environment. School, lunch, dress up as piranha or T-Rex for Book Week. Hometime.
Almost at the end of our Kindy year, I’ve established a more tarnished view.
I still see my twinions as innocent babies (yes, perhaps I always will) but once in a while, we encounter a new situation where we ask them, “Is it a new feeling?”
The tricky part is guiding my little ones weave and work through them.
I often forget. Being six is bloody overwhelming.
EmpoweringResources are a specialist publisher of children’s books that generate meaningful dialogue on sensitive, relevant and important topics such as body safety, emotional health and trust.
“A Secret Safe To Tell” is written by primary school teacher Naomi Hunter who herself is a victim of child sexual abuse. Struggling to speak about it for years, Naomi suffered post trauma stress disorder and anorexia. In writing her book, Naomi is passionate about teaching body safety to children.
Snuggled together one sick day from school, I read it to the boys. The book’s gentle approach and sensitive nature kept them attentive and engaged.
Afterwards we had a brief but important discussion about how they need to tell me (or someone) when they don’t feel safe, especially if something (or someone) hurts their heart or other parts of their body.
It’s a conversation I struggle to have with my kids. I don’t think I’m alone there. But I found “A Secret Safe To Tell” to be a nurturing tool for parents just as much as children.
For those with, or know of children who have been affected by abuse and seeking counselling, please call:
Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800
Australian Childhood Foundation: 1800 176 453
Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS): 1800 688 009
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Oh wow. It’s so good to know these resources are available. Well done to those who have created them! Thanks for sharing Grace.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 2528 – Sizeism isn’t just about the F Word
Important resources.
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
This is such a scary and unsettling place to let my mind go that I think I often just avoid it. But you’re right it’s something we really need to discuss with our kids and these books are a great tool to start that discussion,
Sarah @sarahdipity recently posted..Living and Loving Lately
Such an important message. I’ll be telling my friends with littlies about these books. Thanks for sharing. x
It is a good idea to have resources like these. The fact that you can talk more openly and easily via stories and with the boys at home is even more important. Gosh, I know that ‘bad things’ have always happened and that’s so sad, but at least now, it is far more likely that a child knows of a safe ways to tell. These lessons are taught in schools as part of Personal Development for all stages K-6. By the way, I have heard that Year 1 is a big change year too where friendships and so on become even more important….oh, Grace..more interesting times ahead!! D xx
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Scottish Clan Gathering. 366/260.
Such a vital conversation to have!
Important topic and these look like great tools to teach little ones. My daughter mentioned not talking to strangers the other day, it’s something they are already teaching at daycare and the kindy we visited yesterday also mentioned it’s something they teach the kids. Sad that it has to be that way but hopefully it will help more kids be aware of and able to avoid or report situations quickly.
Beth | AlmostPosh.com recently posted..Second Birthday Celebration Giveaway
Great resources and very important. It’s such a great way to open up the conversation with your little ones.
These books sound great; I might have to see if I can organise a review on my blog for them.
Please contact our publicist, Laura@empoweringresources.com.au
Thanks for sharing these books Grace. Just recently we have been having these types of conversations with Popette (sorry but 7 is just as hard as 6!). Its so tricky to discuss, and I find it needs a gentle approach without causing her to worry her too much. x
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..Cherub – When you were 4 years old
Such an important post, Grace. Thanks for the links. In my music group, we were discussing this the other week as one of the other parents has experience with this and wants to broach the subject with her children. I’ll pass this info along. x
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I’ve always loved the idea of using books to explain difficult situations to children and I think this is definitely one that needs to be discussed with them. I’ll be looking out for these books once bub is older.
Toni {Finding Myself Young} recently posted..Mummy Must Have Review | One Wild Tribe
These sound like wonderful resources for kids and I’d like to get my hands on them. It’s tricky covering these subjects with young kids. Where do you start? Thank god for books.
These resources will makes a difficult conversation a tad easier!
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life recently posted..Dr Roebuck’s EYE
What a great resource. I work with children and am always looking for great resources to help discuss important topics.
I’ll be having a look for that book – I think i need to have that conversation with my kids too x
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..9 Ways to Find Support as a Carer
Hello Grace, I have another book you may know about or may be interested in: Everyone’s got a Bottom by Tess Rowley, Illustrated by Jodi Edwards. I believe it was commissioned by Family Planning Queensland. Also it is great that a teacher has written these books because unfortunately you see signs of it in classrooms. So good on you for have the talk with your children with great books to support you.
Maria Parenti-Baldey recently posted..Mad Hatterz Cafe
Thanks Grace, such an important lesson to share with children, I’m adding this to my list of books to get. Thank you. X
That’s a wise thing to do Grace. But it’s a sad commentary on our times.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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