Many child safety programs inadvertently teach kids the opposite of what they want them to learn and then wonder why the kids do what they do. Women, moms, aunts, grandmothers, sisters, girlfriends, listen up! I'm going to share with you the most important child safety tip you will ever learn. 

 The subconscious mind ignores negative words.  

Simple, isn't it? But oh, what an impact refusing to adjust our language has on our child's life, every minute of every hour of every day!  

Let me explain. We were all kids once, right? Remember when you were running in the house and your mom kept saying, "Don't run in the house," and you kept running? She kept saying it and, if you're like the rest of us, you kept running. Were you disobeying? No. What Mom was telling your subconscious was, "Run in the house." She didn't realize her message was not delivered in its entirety.

We learn what to do by being told what to do. We also learn to do what people tell us not to do since the subconscious mind cannot "picture" not doing something. If Mom started out saying, "Please walk in the house," we would have walked. Our subconscious can picture it and therefore adjusts our behavior to act it out.

Action Steps For Safer Kids

1. Think about how many times you tell your child "no" or use the words "not" or "don't,"  "never" or "stop."
2. Write down the most common sentences you use with those words in them.
3. Rephrase the sentences now, before you need them, so you'll be ready with positive verbiage next time.
4. Example: switch "Never answer the door when I'm not home," to "Stay far away from the door if someone knocks when you're here alone."

Always tell your child what TO do in a positive manner. It takes practice. Speaking positively works for everyone of every age so practicing on your friends, relatives and coworkers will only improve every communication and relationship in your life.

So, now you know how to teach your kids about safety and the added benefit is that you know the key to getting what you want honestly, responsibly, quickly and peacefully.