How to Keep Your Kids Safe Growing Up in the Midwest

Most people consider Missouri the Midwest. They also include Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Michigan. Some people call Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin the Midwest.

This is middle America, and some people love it. They like raising families there and spending time with their neighbors, friends, and family members. They feel camaraderie and think their kids will grow up happily in this atmosphere.

As a parent, you’ll find dangers in the Midwest, though, just like anywhere else. We’ll talk about some of those perils right now. Watch out for them as you raise your kids in this idyllic location.

Car Accidents

In 2020, Missouri saw 4,949 front-to-front car wrecks. Many other Midwest states have that many car accidents most years. Head-to-head car wrecks often produce fatalities and serious injuries, but fender benders, T-bone collisions, and other types also happen.

You must teach your kids about driving at some point since they doubtless want driving privileges at sixteen. Maybe you promise them you’ll give them your old car if they get their license, and you’ll get a newer vehicle model.

Teach them the road’s rules and that they must follow them at all times. Teach them to obey the speed limit, stop at stop signs, and to never ingest drugs or alcohol before driving.

You can also teach them to let nothing distract them while driving. Tell them they must not answer their smartphone if it rings while they’re behind the wheel. Distracted driving kills and injures many drivers, especially inexperienced ones.

Bullying

Bullying happens in the Midwest, just like anywhere else. Sometimes in small towns, the kids know each other very well. Maybe they grow up together and attend the same school year after year.

They might become good friends that way, but you may also have a situation where a kid bullies the same targets every year. If your kid experiences bullying, mention that they must tell you about it.

You might teach them self-defense or involve their teachers or the principal. Your kids may not like talking about it, but they must inform you so they can continue their education safely. You must intervene to stop bullying whenever it occurs.

Social Media Dangers

In the Midwest, kids use social media just like they do in other places. You might keep your kids off social media for a while, but when they get older, they may want the communication that comes from these platforms.

Whichever ones they choose, monitor their activities. Adults sometimes use social media to groom kids. They might meet with a child in person after talking to them online for a while.

Bullying happens on social media as well, so watch out for that. If your kid seems sad or anxious when using their phone, tablet, or laptop, ask them about their social media use. You can intervene and limit or stop their social media activities if you feel they’re causing harm.

Opioids

You must talk to your children about drugs. Talking about alcohol and marijuana definitely makes sense, but you should also watch out for opioids in today’s America.

In the Midwest, there’s an opioid epidemic happening today. It touches many families. Adults might develop an opioid addiction, but it can reach children as well.

Watch your child’s behavior and see whether they act differently or secretively. If you catch them with opioids, consider treatment options. You must take this potential danger seriously.

Dating

At some point, your child probably wants to start dating. They might have a crush and ask you whether they can go on a date with someone from their school.

If you don’t feel they’re old enough yet, you can restrict that behavior. You can also meet your child’s boyfriend or girlfriend if you think they’re old enough for some supervised dating.

Meeting this young person can reveal their personality. If you seem like an appropriate choice, you might let the situation continue.

Talking to your kids about drugs, dating, physical intimacy, bullying, and any other pressures or dangers they might face can help your whole family. You know your kids must grow up sometime, and having open communication lines is always a smart idea.

Don’t hush up certain topics because you can’t handle discussing them. As an adult, you should answer any questions your child has. That way, they know they can talk with you about anything troubling them. You can remain close as they grow up.