"Whistles, info cards, cellphones, etc. are all tools that help them get OUT of a bad situation AFTER they've gotten in to it. Your job should be to keep the kids far from any bad situations in the first place."

I'm going to disagree on that.

First, most American parents try to shield their kids from everything, all the time, under all conditions. This isn't doing them any real favors.

Second, you AREN'T going to be able to protect your kids from everything. That falls into the "wishful thinking" category.

Third, if YOU can get yourself into a sticky situation, due to your own negligence or plain bad luck, why would you think kids are immune to the same things?

Kids can be pretty smart, if they're allowed to be, but NOT with mommy & daddy doing all their thinking for them. Sure, they can have the attention span of a fruit fly, and they do dumb stuff. Face it. Deal with it. Teach them to deal with the consequences of their decisions. (I know that's not PC and is fiercely un-American!) <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Maybe the woman is just fine. You know her. But on your next free days off, why don't YOU take them camping? Have a little bag of stuff for them, and show them how to use it. Talk to them. Teach them. Kids can learn foreign languages without even knowing they're learning anything. You can teach them to think for themselves. They're at the perfect age.

Sue