The Well-Armored Child

As a new parent, I've found every conceivable book on parenting out there. Add this book to the shelf under protecting your child from something no one wants to think about - sexual abuse. The author, sadly, brings personal experience to the book, as well as her expertise/mission in educating parents on the forms sexual abuse can take, how to spot it, and how to "armor" your child to create a "hard target" for predators, and the roles in society responsible for speaking up, reporting or enforcing the laws.

I was surprised to see the wide range of ages the author addressed - there were chapters covering toddlers all the way up to young adults in college, the military and in the workplace. There's even material in there in case you are tangentially touched by the abuse via a friend, your child's friend or a community member who's be abused.

I found her advice to be as promised -- easy to implement, understandable, and consistent, yet still adapting to your child's growing maturity level.

There's a large appendix / reference listing well known organizations and their contact numbers. Combined with the extensive index, this book can clearly serve a long and useful life on your parenting reference shelf.

I approached the book with some hesitation, but im really glad I dug in. She covers the topic in a no-nonsense way, doesn't dramatize or tug at the heartstrings -- it's all very practical advice that servers a worthy goal -- to protect our kids.