Child safety is a priority number one for any parent. Whether the kids are playing in the park or at school, every parent consistently worries about their child and makes decisions to ensure their safety. But what is the danger that lurks around children? Are they scraped knees and small wounds, or is it the inability to protect themselves when a stranger approaches them?
This is the mistake most parents often make. They keep their kids too safe from the world. Their drive to keep their children safe makes their kids unable to defend themselves. Children of such parents are often socially awkward or have anxiety. As a result, when strangers approach them, they freeze in their spot, unable to move, scream, or fight back. Therefore, the real danger is not preparing kids to defend against or escape the dangers around them.
Instead of protecting children from their surroundings, parents should let their kids figure out the world. One example of doing so comes from the book The Running Game by Russell P. Ayers. A narrative of some kids playing shows the reader how important their physical and social activity is.
The nostalgic story comes from 1964 when there were no addictive technologies. At that time, parents yelled at kids for being outside for too long, and they were right to stress. Back then, the world was more dangerous! Law enforcement was not as quick, and there was no dependable technology; tracking missing people was too difficult. Yet the parents of that time used to let kids play outside, under supervision.
During that time there was not much to do for kids at home. Therefore, they insisted on going out to play. Almost every day in the evening, kids would gather up and play a certain game, which they named “The Running Game.” In this game, some kids would act as the hunters while the rest used to hide. All the kids used to play their parts with dedication and grit. All of them used to give their best to win the game.
The hunters use device strategies to gang up and find each kid individually. At the same time, those who were hiding would find ways to escape and unimaginable places to hide. Under vehicles, in the hay stacks, in houses, up the trees, and even in the basement, the kids hid everywhere. They left no stone unturned when it came to hiding or finding someone hidden.
Their strategizing and decision-making for this game was improving their survival skills in case of a serious emergency. It made them more versatile in tracking their targets and protecting themselves from danger. Their play was their ultimate survival training, and the story proves that.
One unlucky kid hid himself in the backyard of a certain psychopath. Little did he know, he had invited a monster into their game. The simple mistake of hiding in the wrong place almost ruined their game. Because now the psychopath was on their tail. It was trying to catch the kids with harmful intentions. This is where the kid’s fun activities came in handy.
Their playful strategies became their defense mechanism. Their hiding strategies were the reason for their protection. On the other hand, their hunting strategies became the source of their power against the psychopath. They hid, fought, and freed their friends while exposing the bad person for his nasty behavior. This way, a mere children’s game became the cause of their triumph over true danger.
Conclusion
The Running Game by Russell P. Ayers is based on true stories from 1964. It portrays a realistic picture of when children loved to explore the outdoors, and parents had to stand guard for their safety. It showcases the right way to keep children safe, which is to teach them essential survival skills from daily outdoor play and social interactions. Through its character’s examples, this book turns a children’s narrative into a lesson in effective parenting. Thus, it helps ensure the safety of your kids.
The children’s strategies for escaping danger come in handy during an emergency. So, get a copy of The Running Game from the author’s website.