"Don't take candy from strangers."
I have heard this many times. I have said this many times. I have had my kids watch movies about "stranger danger". I do admit that personally I am fairly lax when it comes to strangers. I live in a little world where no one would actually seek to do harm to my children. However I do try to teach my kids to be wary of those they do not know or are uncomfortable with.
Today we went to the Dr's office. I lost my glove. I told Naomi and Caleb to wait right there beside Phebe while I went to ask if anyone had found it. I came back to each of them holding a piece of chocolate. I had seen the man that gave it to them. He had been telling the receptionist, "I'm 91 this year, now that is old. You're not old. 91. That is seriously old. Married a good wife. Good wife means a good life....... " on and on.
I really do not think this man is out to poison children. I had just watched him give the receptionist a piece of the same candy. This is where my short coming comes in. I don't see why they can't have it. I did take the opportunity to remind them they are "not supposed to take candy from strangers."
Then the moment of epiphany came.
Naomi: " I didn't take candy from a stranger mom. He gave it to me."
.....
She's right. She didn't "take" it. It was given to her.
From now on we will be having discussions about accepting candy from strangers. Accepting and taking are not the same thing.
