What's Your Child Safety IQ?

Wrong. The timeless lesson passed on from parents to their kids is "Never talk to strangers." The implication is that strangers are evil and can do them harm. It's true that some strangers may have that intention. But then again, so might people you or the child knows very well (and statistically this is more often the case).

In fact, some strangers may be just the people to help your child if she is lost or in a difficult situation.

Here are some reasons why the "don't talk to strangers" rule isn't so golden:

Your child sees you break this rule all the time. You talk to strangers at the bank, at the supermarket, or simply because they're nice.

If your child is ever lost, talking to a stranger may be the single greatest asset she has. To seek assistance, describe one's situation, give a phone number, ask advice, and say "No" -- all these interactions require the child to speak with strangers. What you really want to avoid is your child going somewhere with someone.

Right. You're well on you're way to teaching your child how to protect herself. Here's why:

Your child sees you break this rule all the time. You talk to strangers at the bank, at the supermarket, or simply because they're nice.

If your child is ever lost, talking to a stranger may be the single greatest asset she has. To seek assistance, describe one's situation, give a phone number, ask advice, and say "No" -- all these interactions require a child to speak with strangers. What you really want to avoid is your child going somewhere with someone.

Wrong. The best idea is for your child to choose a woman. Looking for a police officer, contrary to the famous parenting wisdom, rarely enhances a child's safety. It actually ignores the fact that all identifying credentials, insignias, badges, and nameplates are above the waist, but a young child only sees a world of legs.

However, a woman approached by a lost child asking for help is likely to stop what she is doing, commit to that child, and not rest until the child is safe.

This works because it's practical (a woman is almost always around) and simple (it's easy for your child to learn).

Finally, teaching children to choose someone rather than wait for someone to choose them will be a useful lesson their whole lives.

You're almost there. The best idea is for your child to choose a woman. Going to the nearest person for help is the right impulse, but the problem is that the nearest person may be a man, and men are statistically more likely to be predators, or at the very least, will not want to get involved.

The best idea is to teach your child to choose a woman. A woman approached by a lost child asking for help is likely to stop what she is doing, commit to that child, and not rest until the child is safe. This works because it's practical (a woman is almost always around) and simple (it's easy for your child to learn).

Finally, teaching children to choose someone rather than wait for someone to choose them will be a useful lesson their whole lives.

Teaching your child to go to the nearest woman for help is the best way to enhance her safety. A woman approached by a lost child asking for help is likely to stop what she's doing, commit to that child, and not rest until the child is safe. This works because it's practical (a woman is almost always around) and simple (it's easy for your child to learn).

Finally, teaching children to choose someone rather than wait for someone to choose them will be a useful lesson their whole lives.

Wrong. Crying and screaming is probably a child's most instinctual response, but this encourages others to pick her, rather than letting her choose the person she wants to help her.

To keep your daughter safe, teach her to approach a woman for help. A woman approached by a lost child asking for help is likely to stop what she is doing, commit to that child, and not rest until the child is safe.

This works because it's practical (a woman is almost always around) and simple (it's easy for your child to learn).

Teach your child how to communicate with strangers and to trust her intuition by observing her in situations and then discussing her conversations and how she felt about them.

Wrong. The best idea is for your child to choose a woman. The reality of telling your child that you will find her is that you may very well not. It is far safer for your child to pick the person who will help her rather than wait for someone to pick her. Teach her to pick a woman. A woman approached by a lost child asking for help is likely to stop what she is doing, commit to that child, and not rest until the child is safe.

You can help teach your child how to communicate with strangers and to trust her intuition by observing her in situations and then discussing her conversations and how she felt about them.

Yes. You're being open to what your intuition is telling you. If you don't entirely trust this person, why would you leave your helpless baby with her? Better to find a new babysitter who you trust entirely, rather than take a chance with one you have even one doubt about.

Wrong. You should fire the babysitter. Good child care may be difficult to find, but it isn't worth the risk of your child's welfare.

Be open to what your intuition is telling you. Don't jeopardize the safety of your child for the possibility that abuse might not be happening. Better to find a new babysitter whoyou trust entirely rather than take a chance with one you have even one doubt about.

No. It certainly is a good idea to consult your doctor again if your baby continues to demonstrate unusual behavior. But if the behavior continues and you still have a feeling that it isn't quite right, then let the babysitter go.

Don't worry about being rude or ungrateful--your child's welfare is at stake. You may also want to consider finding a new doctor if he or she isn't open to your belief that the babysitter might be abusing your child. Your doctor may be an expert on children, but you are the only true expert on your child.

Wrong. If you're suspicious enough to install a hidden camera system, then fire the babysitter. What if you install the camera and it shows no evidence of abuse? Does that mean there is no abuse, or that it simply wasn't caught on tape?

Most parents who've decided to install a hidden camera already wanted to fire the babysitter or nanny, but didn't have the courage to do it without proof -- as if the fact that they felt uncomfortable about their child's welfare wasn't grounds enough.

Better to find a new babysitter that you trust entirely, rather than take a chance with one you have even one doubt about.