Screwed up stranger danger talk- please help?

Question

Ok so I was teaching my karate class on stranger danger because of an incident w/ a man trying to give the kids beer,since there was all ages I kept it very simple "a bad man could take you away, and he will look just like everyone else." nothing about rape/ murder didn't feel i needed to go into details and didn't want to explain those to the younger ones. Now the kid is 6 and terrified that he will be kidnapped. Meaning someone has to checkout side the building, the bathrooms, and go into the bathrooms with him when he has to go because he is so upset.(at least I don't have to do that job) His parents are jerks- he got scared and started crying and they told him to be quiet or they will just give him to the "bad man". I have worked with him on self defence, talked to him had the teacher talk to him. He is still scared I am never doing those kind of talk again. I leave that to the instructors, though I didn't freak out younger kids at least, its just the one boy Help its anoying

Answer 1

I'm sorry this happened to you it sounds like you were trying to do a good thing and those parents DO sound like jerks! Just tell him that he is safe AND he's being taught self defence, and not to worry.

Answer 2

You were just trying to help and unfortunately some youngsters will let their imaginations run wild.  The fact that he is not getting support from his parents makes things even harder for him.  If you are able to talk to him more, explain that not everyone is a bad person and going to kidnap him.  He needs to be aware of his surroundings and to not go with someone he doesn't know because they have candy, was sent by his parents, needs help finding a lost dog, etc.  He is in this class learning self defense moves, so he has a head up on what to do if someone ever DID try to grab him.  Remind him to yell NO at the top of his lungs if something like this ever happens and to try to draw attention to himself.  Kick the person in the groin and RUN away yelling "this is NOT my mother, father, etc."

There is a video out called "The Safe Side" that was created by John Walsh and it is very child friendly teaching kids about code words, who is a "Don't Know" "Kinda Know" and "Safe Adult"  It gives tips on what you should do if you are in a Stranger Danger situation and was done extremely well to where children can understand.  It should be a "must have" for anyone with kids IMHO.  

The only other thing you can do for this boy is to show him support and acknowledge his fears and frustration.  Which is what his parents should be doing for him!  Continue teaching him like normal.  This fear is just a phase that hopefully with understanding and support he will be able to work through.  I am sorry that you had to deal with this...good luck!