How to talk to kids about trusting the police
Parents must walk a fine line between keeping young children safe from dangerous adults and addressing authority figures like law enforcement. This difficulty leaves parents unsure how to navigate discussions about authority without knowing who to trust or how to keep their little ones safe.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Instructing children to treat strangers in uniform with suspicion
- 2Telling children not to speak to police without a lawyer or parent present
- 3Teaching children to look for alternative safe adults like store employees or female staff if lost
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“My question for the group is, how do you talk to your child about trusting or distrusting law enforcement or any individuals posed as leaders?”source ↗
“As a mom, I so just want to keep my little ones safe and I don't know how to navigate this all.”source ↗
“It’s a really fine line to walk with talking to your kids about any adult who could be dangerous and in a position of authority.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2How to talk to students about a sudden national crisis
- 6Why won't my kids listen unless I yell?
- 3Learning about current events from my students
- 2How to help kids understand what test questions are asking
- 4Why do young children make up such alarming stories?
- 4Why do I lecture my child instead of comforting them?