My two youngest daughters are 18 and 22. I preach these messages to them all the time. I told one recently, “I know it’s hard to believe, but there are a few kooks out there who would rape and murder you and enjoy every minute of it and consider it as normal as eating a ham sandwich.” When kids reach a certain age, they must provide their own safety because Mom and Dad can no longer keep tabs on them 24/7. They must also discard the notion that people out there couldn’t possibly be so evil as to intend them harm. I’ve given them practical lessons on how to be vigilant and alert at all times. I live in Georgia, where there have been some horrific abductions and murders over the past few years.
I’m right next door in AL. We’re at baby steps stage in letting her drive, like back and forth to school, one mile each way. Other parents seem to just let them go the day they get their license and thus making my job a little harder. We had a good talk on the way to dance tonight and I just will have to keep strong and teach her as much as possible about being vigilant.