Few things you must teach your child

There was an incident in Nepal that really caught my attention. Before discussing a few important things that should be mandatory to teach your child or younger siblings, I want to dive a little bit into this case where a boy was rescued from a hotel in Kathmandu after he managed to pass a note for help. 

A 16 year old boy from chitwan was kidnapped by a group of indian nationals. They kept the boy I a hotel in chitwan, then brought them Kathmandu in a vehicle bearing Indian registration plates. They confined him in a hotel room in Nayabazar. But there were few things that the boy wrote in a paper and slipped it in the hotel. What he wrote on paper, saved his life.

Pretending to go to the toilet, he wrote the message on the packaging of a newly purchased charger and threw it into an open field beside the hotel. It read, “Help, my name is ... Gupta. My father’s name is ... Gupta. I am from Narayangarh. Please call the police. My father’s number is 9845... (Kidnapped).” A local youth later found the note and immediately informed the police and was rescued. And that one move helped him get home safely.

Although, kidnapping cases may not be as common as they once were, incidents like this happen more often than we realize. In a world where crime can take many form, teaching children how to react in dangerous situations is as important. If you have a child or a younger sibling, sit down and teach them to spell and write their full name, their parents' names, phone numbers, and home address.  Teach them how to identify trusted adults such as police officers, teachers, security personnel, or nearby families. Make sure they know how to call emergency services and how to explain where they are if they need. Teach them simple but powerful words like “help,” “call the police,” and “I am lost.”

Beside that, you must also teach them to speak up when something feels wrong. Many children are raised to be obedient and quiet around adults, but there are situations where being loud can protect them. If someone is trying to force them into a vehicle, take them somewhere against their will, or prevent them from contacting family members, they should know that attracting attention can save lives.

It is also important to teach children that danger does not always look dangerous. Sometimes it comes disguised as kindness, gifts, job offers, promises, or requests for help. Children should understand that they do not have to go anywhere with strangers, share personal information, or trust someone simply because they appear friendly.

The note that rescued this boy was not long. It was not complicated. It contained only a few essential details: who he was, where he was from, and a plea for help. Yet those few words were enough to bring him home safely.

We often spend years preparing children for their future, but we should also spend time preparing them for unexpected situations. Knowing how to ask for help, communicate basic information, and stay calm under pressure may seem like small lessons. In reality, they can make the difference between remaining trapped and finding a way home. Sometimes, the most important thing we can teach a child is not how to succeed in life, but how to protect it.