Unfamiliar Friends
WWYD Wednesday
Your child goes out with a group of friends. You expect him home by dinner, but hours pass—and he is the only one who has not returned. He is also the only Black child in the group.
Alongside the fear of not knowing where he is, you wonder: Will his disappearance receive the same urgency and attention? Will you have to fight to keep people focused on finding him?
If this were your child, what would your first move be? Preparedness can include thinking through difficult emotions and decisions before a crisis.
Fact Check Friday
Preparedness includes the conversations we are willing to have before the unexpected becomes reality. No emergency plan can guarantee that a child will never face danger, but families can take practical steps to prepare.
- Know where they are going and who they will be with.
- Agree on a check-in plan.
- Teach them how to call for help.
- Make sure they know how to share their location.
- Have family “what if” conversations before an emergency.
These steps are driven by love. Preparedness means helping your family be better prepared if something unexpected happens.
The best emergency plan is the one you hope you never have to use.