When I read this, I was sick to my stomach. The little girl has since been identified. A tragedy indeed. Then again, these stories are nothing new. There have been such reports and cases of little children everywhere, all the time.
I can go on to pour my sympathies for the family and wish that the monster who did this gets caught and gets what he deserves (which is never to walk on the face of this planet). Of course I sympathize with her family and yes, I am shocked, angry, mad, outraged when I read such news. I also wish that the beast gets his due punishment. Especially now that I am a parent, these things are a lot more pertinent on my mind.
So folks, take precaution.
I don’t mean to lock your kids in the house 24/7 and not go anywhere. You can but you have to be extra careful especially when you are out with your kids at the malls or anywhere for that matter. Make sure they are with you at all times. I’m sure all parents know this but yet, I’ve seen children running around in shopping malls by themselves along the aisles or kids crying wandering in the shopping malls looking for their parents. Seriously, isn’t this a tragedy waiting to happen?
Also, if you need to grab something real quick from the shops, do not leave your child alone in the car even if its only for a mere 2 minutes. Take your child with you even if it’s just to get a newspaper or something. I did that yesterday. I parked my car and carried Ashley with me even though I went into the shop to grab a newspaper. I could’ve left her in the car, strapped to the car seat and lock the car doors while I run in quickly. I chose not to and neither should anyone attempt something like this thinking that it will be safe.
For those parents whose children are old enough to communicate, it is not a bad idea to continuously educate them that they shouldn’t talk to strangers, accept rides from strangers or accept food from strangers.
These precautionary measures are not new. Even to me. Therefore, knowing is one thing but putting it to practice is another. At times though, I even overlook these steps myself when for example, I am going through some clothes at the mall and left Ashley’s stroller a rack away from me. I know these things and yet, I am negligent. Even for a minute, I felt that I’ve neglected to be careful. Am I being too hard on myself? Not really. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
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7 comments:
Sad isn't it how barbaric people have become that they could do such a thing to young innocent children.
Interesting to note that child abduction in shopping malls don't usually occur, mostly it is the child getting lost.
The abductions occur on the streets, pasar malam, outside schools, etc. Where security is lacking.
This is a very sad news.I remember when i was a young girl, my mom always tell me not to accept ride from a stranger even though the stranger claims that he/she knows ur parents. Because some bad guys will give an excuse that ur parents sent him to pick u up from sch or etc.
This is such a sad news for the entire nation. Parents should be more aware of their children's whereabout.
Adrian : True what you say. However, for me, I am still a bit scared at the malls. Can never be too careful these days.
Stranger-Online : Your mom is so right..
hcfoo : Yup, right on..
It's frightening what is happening nowadays.
You cannot be too safe.. but of course not going to the extend of being paranoid lar...
hmm...yeah hor. I am kinda paranoid LOL...too much hanging around my MIL must be. She keeps telling me not to bring Ashley out to d malls without hubby :(
It is really tragic. My heart goes out to the family. I plan to use the hand strap on Ashley again when we do go to the mall. Won't let her out of my sight at all!
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