Published April 8, 2005
Parent Networking
Parents are busy folks. Suggesting that they add one more thing to an already crammed life might seem outrageous.
However, at the risk of being outrageous, let’s discuss networking — an easy way for parents to work together to keep children safe.
To begin with, networking is not necessarily formal. It is not important that it be organized. Building a network is an attitude that can mesh naturally with all the tasks parents are already doing.
The gist of the concept of networking is knowing "who’s who." Who are the parents of your child’s classmates? Which are the other families with children in scouting, sports, or similar activities? At church, which families are involved in the same religious education classes or confirmation preparation? What other children live in your neighborhood? Who rides the same bus as your child?
Here are some ways to facilitate networking:
• Attending school information nights, parent/teacher conferences and performances and, while there, introducing yourself to other parents
• Exchanging phone numbers with other parents
• Noting which parents take children to and from the bus stop
• Observing who are the alert parents who are likely to know what is happening in the school or church social scene
• Reaching out to meet other parents whenever doing so is comfortable and appropriate
• Offering your home as a place where classmates, neighbors, and teammates can gather
The habit of knowing "who’s who" begins in preschool. If you feel a little new to the concept of meeting other parents, so do most other preschool parents. They will welcome the parent who takes friendly initiative.
Elementary school age children have many opportunities for activities where parents can meet each other. Because these children as still too young to drive, time spent waiting around to provide transportation can be well spent in meeting other parents. Sharing of ideas, strategies and concerns will develop from these contacts.
Parents of adolescents need to keep using the networking skills that they have learned from when the children were younger. Know those phone numbers. Call and talk with other parents to verify supervision, transportation and other details.
Those who would harm children seek out victims who are isolated. They know that the loner who lacks an interesting and inquisitive parent is much more easily lured than the child whose parent networks well and is aware of "who’s who."