[Crissy011]

So, my kids are outside playing in the snow (7 & 9). My boy runs in and says "Someone wants to talk to you." So, I say "Oh, tell them I'm all set with shoveling." Anyway, I go look out the window & I don't see anyone. A couple minutes later, both kids come in and my daughter says, "When I was out there by myself (when her brother came in to talk to me), the guy in the car said, "Do you want to go somewhere fun?" and my daughter says "No." Then the guy leaves. So, I made the kids come inside. That just really freaked me out!!!!!

[EZ2Luv]

Oh wow! I would be mighty freaked out too. Do you have neighbors taht you can call to make them aware that there is a strange man prowling around?. I would also make the police aware of it. Of course to some they might think I was over reacting, but when my kid's safety is remotly at risk all bets are off.

Sux that the kids won't be able to enjoy playing safely in the snow, but I would keep them indoors right now or have an adult out there with them if they are going outdoors to play.

Maybe your neighbors will offer to take turns being out there while the children play.
EZ

[Crissy011]

I thought about calling the police except that the kids don't have a description of the car or anything. You know kids....not always paying attention. They are pretty much the only kids on the street. I am going to head out soon to shovel soon, so I'll take the kids back out with me then. It is just strange it is one of those awful things that you hear about all the time, but never think it will happen to one of your kids. Thank God, my dd is old enough/smart enough to say "No."

[devildogwife]

Oh wow that would freak me out too! Even if your kids don't know a description, you still may want to call the police. They might send out a car to patrol extra around your neighborhood, just incase.

[RavenSong]

I agree with Devildogwife. Please call your local police department. Even though your kids can't give a description, the cops need to know that this guy is lurking in your neighborhood. They may even already know about him, if he's approached other kids in the area. The cops will probably assign an extra patrol car to your neighborhood for a while.

[Crissy011]

I called & told them. They came by & talked to the kids & said they'd patrol the neighborhood. So Creepy!!

[lucyjoy]

I scared my kids out of talking to strangers. They are instructed from an early age, that it is NOT okay for adults in cars to ask them questions. I trained them to run to home if a car slows near them.

They also no how to hit, kick, scream and be a pain in a car if they get grabbed. They also know to look for inside trunk releases and kick out tail lights.

I also tell them most people are nice and normal but they need to know these things for the few that aren't.

[courtni]

Why is your children outside by themselves? That's when things happen. They are still young to be outside with no adult supervision... Thank God they are fine.

[lucyjoy]

7 & 9 year olds play without adult supervision where I live. I see nothing wrong with that.

[RavenSong]

Lucy, I LOVE that you taught your children about release latches in the trunk and kicking out taillights. I never thought about that before...

When I was 7 y/o, walking home from Brownies, I went down our alley (which I wasn't allowed to do, btw). A guy stopped his car, and tried all the usual tactics to get me to go with him. I had been taught both at home and at school to just run and scream in this kind of situation. But when it really happened to me, I just froze in my tracks. I couldn't scream, and I couldn't run away for some reason. I stood there and argued with the man instead. He finally got frustrated and left. And I got into a lot of trouble at home that night when my mom found out that I didn't run off screaming like I had been taught.

I think it's great that kids these days are taught that it's okay to say "no" to any adult in these situations, whether it's a family member or a stranger. Sometimes I wonder if I would have been able to run away screaming if I had actually practiced it beforehand...

[courtni]

You know many people would think that something like that wouldn't happen to their children maybe because of how much money you may have or because of the neighborhood you may live in, but I would say that these people want you to think that. They won't you to stay in your "comfort zone". That is how so many children get kidnapped. You have to be smarter than that.

[loveajax]

crissy; how scary! but the really cool thing is how well your kiddo handled it....if parents are sheltering 9 snd 7 yos from playing outside; i personally think they are harming their kids. your kids obviously have developed very importrant skills that ''helicopter parents'' don't teach their kids sadly.

[EZ2Luv]

Crissy,
I am so glad you called and alerted the police. Thank goodness your dd had the presence of mind to say no and tell you. You taught them well.

Courtni
There is nothing wrong with kids playing in front of their homes at all at 7, 8 9 and up as long as they are taught about stranger danger.
Let's face it, these things can happen anywhere when a parent least expects it no matter where you live or where you are at. You could just as well be shopping and you child is in another aisle looking at pehaps a toy when approached by a predator. It is all how you teach your children on what to do..
EZ

[Crissy011]

I feel bad that I don't let my daughter ride her bike too far around the neighborhood without an adult! She only gets to go around the block. I remember being her age and going out on my bike for the entire day with my friends! It was so fun. I HATE that I have to worry so much nowadays. However, I do allow the kids to play in the yard alone. Like many of you said, luckily I've taught them well!!!