The Code That Keeps Our Kids Safe
When our son was 13, he texted us from a teammate’s house asking to be picked up — no questions asked. When we got there, he and his best friend jumped into the car. Eventually, they shared what happened: someone had brought a vape, and things got uncomfortable.
Our son told the others that he had to leave because his dad was mad about unfinished chores. His best friend backed him up, saying, “Was that from the big mess we made yesterday? I’ll help you clean it.” That moment told us everything — not just about our son, but about the kind of environment we’ve built.
After that, we came up with a code. If they ever need a quiet way out, they text: “Is Grandpa okay?” Pop-Pop is their grandpa, so it’s natural and non-suspicious, even if someone else sees the message.
Sometimes the best protection is giving them an easy way to say no.
Do your kids have a “get out” plan? I’d love to hear what works for your family!
#ParentingWithPurpose #SafeExitStrategies #RaisingTeens #FamilyCodeWords #SupportiveParenting #Parenting
