Eons ago, a LEO gave a talk at my grade school about strangers. He said the most common way to get a kid to go with you is to use a puppy or kitten as bait.

They don't even need to have one with them, they ask if the kid wants one. He's got too many, he's going to take it to the pound where it will be put to sleep, they're really cute, take it home and see if your mom will let you keep it, etc.

And I wouldn't be surprised if it's still the path of least resistance. Give your kids examples of how a stranger might approach them. Just like thinking about how you would get out of different survival situations, get your kids to think.

And make them understand that if someone does grab them, to hit, kick and bite as hard as they can; don't be afraid to hurt a kidnapper! Girls, esp, used to be encouraged to be 'ladylike'. Even now, many women really hesitate to fight back because of that indoctrination. Stupid, isn't it?

Sue