When it comes to parenting, there's nobody on our team that would accept the title "expert" by a long shot. But these Dads (who also happen to be industry-leading experts at finding the unfindable) dedicate their lives, regularly sacrificing time with their own families to rapidly respond when kids go missing. They study the invisible details in hundreds of unique scenarios each year that result in a child vanished and highly susceptible to a long list of horrors every moment they're away from their families. This work absolutely heightens our awareness of the dire need to protect our own families and educate our communities about potential dangers.
So when we polled them for advice recently we expected we'd get a list of new security measures we could enact, or maybe some suggestions over screen time limits or when to adopt technology. Instead, we were surprised when all of their answers related to really excellent ways to genuinely connect with kids.
We asked: If you could give one piece of advice to another parent, what would it be?
Have dinner with your kids every night.
Communicate with your kids and if your kids trust you, that's the most important thing. Because my kids may not get in to danger, but, it's happened over the years– they've told me about their friends when they're in danger. They trust me enough to say "Dad, this is happening with Sally, what do we do?" By having a great relationship with my kids and you having one with yours, you're not just protecting your kids... you're protecting all of our kids.
Kevin Branzetti | NCPTF CEO & Co-Founder
One-on-one time
If you have more than one kid, take the time to spend time with each of them alone talking and listening. My thing is fishing and kayaking. I can get my kids in the middle of the lake and their attention is on me and mine on them. We have some great conversations.
Kevin Tadda | NCPTF Cohort Lead
"Stegosaurus the plant"
We have a section of our garden that is made up of individual plants we each picked out, planted, and named. The kids love the responsibility and taking care of "Stegosaurus" and "AAARGGH!" (my daughter was having a bit of a melt down during plant-naming time), plus they get to see something they invest in grow up.
Griffin Glynn | NCPTF Chief Investigations Officer
On time alone...
If you have multiple kids (I have 4) each needs designated alone time. Running to the store? Take ONE kid and just spend time with them. Next trip: take the other. Next trip: get some quiet by yourself (which also shows them that is needed and healthy).
Justin Cook | NCPTF Chief Financial Officer
Dinner
We have a card game we play as a family at dinner time that directs questions. Also, dinner is a place that we don't have phones– it is focused time with each other.
Justin Cook | NCPTF Chief Financial Officer
Justin recommends: Talking Points Cards
Very Important Appointments
Making dedicated appointments with my kids so that they could invite me into their world was an amazing experience for me and helped them see I was making my child a priority. We would look at my schedule and then I'd make an appointment with my child for a certain date and time. I would then treat that appointment like I would a doctor visit. I would prioritize it above other events and work those events around my child's appointment. When we had the appointment, my child got to pick what we did (within boundaries) and directed the activity. I was there as a friend and participant but NOT running the activity.
Micah Hoffman | NCPTF Deputy Chief of Investigations
Online safety begins offline
The most important step for prevention that we can take as parents is dedicating ourselves to the quest of connecting with our kids in authentic ways as they grow. When we show them that they have a safe ally ready to help them figure out the challenges they'll inevitably face while navigating their world, we gain gain valuable insight, trustworthiness, and a deeper understanding of our kids.
Heather Dark is Chief Communications Officer of the National Child Protection Task Force. With a robust background in marketing, strategy, and public relations, Heather is passionate about amplifying the stories of those fighting child exploitation & trafficking and committed to raising awareness and mobilizing support to protect vulnerable children.
The use of brand names and/or mention or listing of specific products or services herein is solely for educational purposes and does not imply endorsement by The NCPTF or our partners, nor discrimination against similar brands, products or services not mentioned.
