ខ្មែរ
English
From the first time a mother looks into her child’s eyes, she knows she will forever love and protect this new life. But somewhere between that initial moment and when that baby becomes a walking, talking kid, protecting becomes quite difficult. There are only so many tumbles we can prevent and boo boos we can kiss to make everything better—not to mention tantrums we have to live through while reminding yourself you do still love them. That’s why it’s important to start teaching kids how to care for themselves at a young age, even if they don’t understand it’s out of love.
One really important and dangerous part of daily life in chaotic Phnom Penh is the traffic. Living in a big city comes with a lot of risks, so teaching children the basics of safety is crucial. Whether they’re under your supervision or not, kids need to understand the dangers of motos, tuk tuks and cars, especially since some of these vehicles don’t just keep to the roads.
When out with your child near the streets, make sure to hold his or her hand. This prevents kids from wandering too closely to oncoming traffic and also ensures that in case a moto decides to drive up on the sidewalk you’d be able to quickly move them to safety. Some children aren’t happy about their walking freedoms being limited, but keeping them safe and dealing with a tantrum is much better than an injured child. If you take this seriously, they will too, which teaches them the severity of the traffic situation.
Another important lesson for children to learn is how to safely cross the streets in the city. Since traffic can be less than predictable, this is something that should be approached with caution. Your best defense against traffic accidents is, again, holding your child’s hand tightly. If that’s not possible, never let your kid trail behind you as they are out of your eyesight and also much more difficult for drivers to see. Though crossing the street is always risky, you can mitigate these risks by teaching them to always look both ways before walking into the street and finding places to cross that are less busy.
Taking care of your child doesn’t stop at the sidewalk’s end, either. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to maintain your kids’ safety and wellbeing. Simple things like holding the door for them and teaching them to hold it for others encourages respectful behavior. Choosing healthy alternatives to sodas and energy drinks instills better dietary habits and overall improved health in the long run.
The list goes on, but the crux of it lies in making a conscious effort to guide your child. Every action you make with them is a decision that could affect the rest of their lives. Try to remember that first precious moment with them urging you to act out of unconditional love rather than negatively reacting to their momentary meltdowns over wanting candy immediately or resisting holding your hand while crossing the street. One day, they’ll thank you.
