Protecting Our Children: A Conversation We Can No Longer Avoid
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Protecting Our Children: A Conversation We Can No Longer Avoid
Every parent is trembling with fear right now in light of recent media reports about predators finding their way into daycare centres—places meant to protect and care for the most vulnerable in our community: our children.
I went back and forth about whether I should write about this, but I felt so strongly in my heart that I needed to open the conversation around child safety. I want to share some of the small yet powerful steps our family takes to prepare our little ones for the world and the possible dangers they may face.
Children are a gift from God, and it is our sacred duty to not only guide them in ways that honour the Lord but also to equip them with the tools to protect themselves from those who might cause them harm.
Before I get into the practical steps we take, I want to share some deeply alarming statistics:
In Australia, 1 in 5 boys and 1 in 3 girls will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. You can find these figures on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
With numbers this high, it is more important than ever that we—as parents—not only educate ourselves but also proactively educate our children. We cannot leave this responsibility to schools alone, because by the time they cover these topics, it might be too late.
I grew up in a home where topics like body awareness, boundaries, and sex were never discussed. I remember sitting down with my little ones to go through a safety course we chose, and my family member awkwardly commented, “Don’t you think they’re too young to learn about their bodies? They teach it in high school.”
The sad reality is—high school is often too late. I know this from personal experience. I remember sitting awkwardly in high school being shown how to put a condom on a banana—yet no one taught us about consent, boundaries, or how to recognise dangerous behaviour or what the bible teaches us.
Here are some of the things we’ve implemented in our home to educate and empower our two- and four-year-olds:
1. Kristi McVee – Child Safety Expert
Kristi is a former Australian police officer who served in the child sexual abuse unit. She now empowers parents through her book and courses designed to educate children in age-appropriate ways, she also has a podcast.
This is the course we chose to go through with our children. I highly recommend starting with her book before jumping into the course, both of which are available on her website:
🔗 www.cape-au.com/about-kristi
I won’t lie—reading her book opened a tin of worms for me and sent me down a little bit of a rabbit hole. It was confronting, it was heartbreaking, and it was eye-opening. Kristi shares real victim stories, insights into the minds of offenders, and practical tools for recognising potential predators. Once you know the signs, you can’t unsee them—you won’t look at the world the same way again.
Because of this education, my children now understand:
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The difference between safe and unsafe touch
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What body boundaries are
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What types of behaviour are illegal in our country
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That they can come to us or any of their 5 safe people with anything without fear of being in trouble
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What intuition feels like in their bodies (e.g., butterflies in their belly or shaky knees)
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How to spot “tricky” behaviour in both children and adults
Another great resource is Bravehearts:
🔗 bravehearts.org.au
2. Self-Defence Classes
We chose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because it focuses on de-escalation and demobilising techniques rather than impact or aggression.
Young children don’t have the strength to physically overpower an adult, but they can learn effective techniques to escape and protect themselves. We explained to our kids that this was a natural extension of their safety education, and it wasn’t negotiable. It’s about confidence—not fear.
Initially, I wondered if they’d resist going, but because they understood the "why," they embraced it. We answer all their questions honestly and age-appropriately, and because of that, they go willingly.
3. No Sleepover Rule
After reading countless stories and experiences from other families, my husband and I made the decision to eliminate sleepovers altogether. For our family, the risks simply outweigh the benefits. On the rare occasion we do allow a sleepover—such as when we're travelling and visiting family—we are always present with our children.
In situations where a sleepover or extended care is necessary—like when a new baby is arriving or there's an emergency—we have a trusted person who looks after our little ones. This is someone we know deeply and trust wholeheartedly.
As an Army family that relocates often, we don’t always have our trusted people nearby—and that can be incredibly challenging. When we moved to Darwin, my husband had just left for training, and I ended up in hospital unexpectedly. I found myself alone, hooked up to an IV, with three young children. It was far from ideal. We were discharged around 2 a.m., and I then had to carry my three exhausted little ones to the car, drive home, and get them all settled into bed. They handled it like champions.
Now, I did have options in this situation. I had the Defence Family Helpline number to call, and there were a few people I could have reached out to—but these were people I had only just met. And this is the reality many Army wives face: solo parenting without a nearby support network. It’s in these moments we have to be extra mindful and cautious when deciding who to entrust with our children.
In my situation, I chose to soldier through the hard however this isn't always possible.
4. The "Safe Hand" Exercise
We printed out a hand and had our children choose five trusted adults they could go to if they ever felt unsafe.
Importantly, I include myself in this conversation. I always say, “Even if it’s me you feel unsure about, you can still talk to someone on this list.” It may sound strange, but it helps set the tone that anyone—even someone close—can make you feel unsafe, and that's okay to speak up about.
5. Modeling Consent
If my children say “No, thank you” when I ask for a hug or kiss goodnight, I respect their “no.” I also never force them to hug or kiss friends or relatives.
Consent starts with us. If we can model it consistently, we’re teaching them they have autonomy over their own bodies.
6. Use Correct Terminology
No more calling private parts "cookies" or “rudies", I've heard some weird ones. We teach our kids the proper names for body parts. This not only helps them articulate clearly if something ever happens, but also removes the shame that can come from secrecy.
7. Supervised Play Only
At gatherings, we don’t allow the kids to play in bedrooms or unsupervised areas. I’m the awkward floater, always keeping eyes on the littles—and I’m totally okay with that.
8. Prayer
Every night, I pray over my children. I ask for God’s protection, peace, and covering over their hearts, minds, and bodies.
A New Boundary We’ve Set
In light of recent events, we’ve decided that our children will not attend daycare unless they are able to:
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Communicate clearly
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Understand body awareness and safety
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Feel confident using their voice when needed
That might sound extreme to some, but honestly—can we ever be too careful when it comes to our children?
I completely understand that not every family has the option to stay at home or delay daycare. For those in that situation, asking the right questions and properly vetting the centre is essential. Kristi McVee has a wonderful podcast, Instagram channel, and online resources available for purchase that walk you through exactly what to ask and how to thoroughly assess the safety and culture of a daycare. Her work is incredibly eye-opening and practical, especially for parents navigating these important decisions.
Final Thoughts
Education is key. Let’s not wait for schools to start the conversation. Let’s not wait until something happens. Let’s take the steps now. We need to remove the shame around discussing these topics with our children.
We are their first line of defence.
Let’s do everything we can to protect our precious children—and empower them with the knowledge, confidence, and voice they need to stay safe.
A Prayer for Our Children’s Protection
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the precious gift of our children. We know they are Yours first, and we are humbled to be entrusted with their care. Lord, we come before You today and lift up our children to You. We ask for Your divine protection to surround them—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Cover them with Your wings, Lord, and place a hedge of safety around them wherever they go—whether in the home, at school, at daycare, or in the community. Guard their hearts from fear, their minds from confusion, and their bodies from harm.
Teach them, Holy Spirit, to know the sound of Your voice. May they be sensitive to Your promptings, aware of danger, and confident in using their voice to speak up when something isn’t right. Help them to walk in wisdom and boldness, knowing they are never alone.
Lord, give us as parents the discernment we need to protect and guide them well. Help us to create open, honest conversations. Let our homes be a place of safety, love, and truth. Show us how to model respect, consent, and trust every day.
We declare Your Word over our children today:
“No weapon formed against them shall prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)
“The Lord is their refuge and fortress, their God in whom they trust.” (Psalm 91:2)
“You have not given them a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
We thank You, God, for watching over them when we cannot. We entrust them into Your mighty hands and pray that they would grow in strength, courage, and unwavering faith.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going…
I know this topic can feel heavy—but it’s too important to stay silent. I’d love to hear from you:
What steps are you taking in your home to keep your children safe?
Have you come across any resources, tools, or conversations that helped you feel more confident in navigating child safety?
Let’s create a space where we can learn from one another, support one another, and stand united in protecting the most vulnerable. Your voice matters. 💬👇
Feel free to share in the comments, send a DM, or tag another parent who might benefit from this conversation.
Together, we can raise informed, confident, and protected children—one brave step at a time. 💛