Teaching My Child About Safe Touch: Real Talk, No Reels 🎤
- Aruneeta Srivastava
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
Some conversations as a parent are hard. And teaching your child about safe and unsafe touch is right up there.
Now, I know — there are a hundred reels on Instagram, WhatsApp “forward-worthy” videos, and catchy jingles people share. But honestly? A trending tune is not going to protect my daughter in real life. We don’t even have TikTok in India (so thankfully she’s not learning “safety” from lip-sync videos 🙄).
So instead of relying on what’s viral, I’ve created my own way. My own words. My own private little “songs” that work for her. Because this is not about views. This is about safety.
How I Talk to My Child About Safe Touch
Start Early, Keep It Simple: At 3, my daughter already knows her body belongs to her. I use simple sentences:👉 “Your body is yours. No one touches it without your permission.”👉 “If you don’t like it, you can say NO — loudly.”
Name Body Parts Correctly: Yes, it feels awkward at first. But no “chunnu-munnu” code names for private parts. If she can say “elbow,” she can say “chest” or “vagina.” Correct words = no confusion.
Safe vs. Unsafe Touch Game: We play a sorting game:
Safe = hugs (when she wants), holding hands to cross the road.
Unsafe = touching chest/bottom/private parts, or anyone asking to “keep a secret.”
Practice the “Loud NO”: We make it dramatic. I’ll say, “Show me your superhero NO!” and she yells “NOOO!” like she’s fighting Thanos. (Bonus: the neighbors also now know she has a great defense system 😂).
Make Her the Boss of Her Body: Even at home, if she doesn’t want hugs/kisses, I respect that. Consent isn’t just a grown-up word — it starts here. If I force her to “go give chachu a hug,” I’m teaching her the opposite of what I want.
Safe Adults List: She knows her “Top 5 people” she can run to — mom, dad, grandma, teacher, etc. It’s like her emergency squad.
Things I Don’t Rely On 🚫
❌ Trendy Songs & Reels: Catchy? Yes. Effective? No. Kids don’t need hashtags — they need habits.
❌ Fear or Shame: I never say “don’t sit like that, it’s bad.” Instead, I say, “That part is private. Only you decide about it.”
❌ One Big Talk: This is not “The Birds and the Bees Part 2.” It’s an everyday conversation, repeated in different ways as they grow.
Tips for Parents (Who Cringe Like Me)
Start earlier than you think you need to.
Use storybooks or picture guides — makes it less awkward.
Keep revisiting the topic in small doses.
Practice respecting your child’s “NO” at home (even if it’s just about broccoli 🥦).
Don’t make it scary. Make it normal.
My Private Song 🎶
I have my own silly little rhyme with my daughter — it’s ours. Not for reels, not for shares, not for likes. Just for her to remember when I’m not around.
🎶 My Body, My Rule 🎶
✨ My body is mine, from head to toe,✨ If I don’t like it, I can say NO!✨ Safe touch feels nice, unsafe feels wrong,✨ I’ll shout it out loud, I’m brave and strong!
Because my job is not to go viral. My job is to keep her safe.
Final Word
This isn’t an easy topic. But silence is far more dangerous. The truth is, our kids don’t need Instagram safety reels. They need parents who talk, who listen, and who empower them.
So yes — teaching safe touch may feel uncomfortable. But I’d rather be uncomfortable for 5 minutes than regretful for the rest of my life.
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