ACA Last Night

[Julia]

Did anybody watch ACA yesterday? Disclaimer...I don't usually watch it but flicked over & this item got my interest.

They tested 7 children to see if they'd let a stranger in the house when the parents were out. ALL 7 of them let him in. He knocked on the door pretending to have lost his dog, or deliver a parcel...and would then ask if he could come in & get a drink of water. I was gobsmacked. All the parents had warned their children not to open the door when they were gone but all 7 did.

I can safely say though that I received those warnings as a child. I wouldn't have answered the door not because I was fearful of strangers, but I was fearful of what mum would do to me if she found out I'd ignored her. There was stuff I could get away with, but opening the door to strangers would have merited a punishment I'd still be receiving at the grand old age of 36.

Tonight I think they're going to give tips on how to better educate children not to open the door to stragers. Will have to remember to watch it.

[Monty]

No, I didn't watch it but that truly is scary!! I bet the parents were a little embarrassed to say the least...

[MissieK]

I saw the ads, but not the show. It is scary.

Melissa

[mel35]

I didn't see it on tv last night, but I have seen a similar thing on Oprah, it is really scary.

When I have a shower during the day I have to make my 4 yo stay in the bathroom with me coz she is a shocker for opening the front door. I have been out hanging washing and heard her talking to someone and come in to find a stranger standing at the door telling her to go get mummy. I have explained to her so many times that it could be a bad person that might hurt her or take her away from us, but she still does it.

[Leigh]

I didn't see that show, but similar things have been on on other shows.

It is very scary.

We don't have the issue yet, as my lot are not old enough to be left at home alone. They know all the stranger danger stuff, and if you asked them they would say NO you never talk to strangers, and you wouldn't let them in. Yet someone knocks on the door and the race to open it first, and don't care who :(

[MissieK]

Hmmmm.... I think we need a screen door that locks & the kids can't unlock it ;) That way they can't let anyone in!

Melissa

[Monty]

Gone are the days when you could leave your house/door unlocked...actually I don't even remember my Nana leaving the house or door unlocked when I was a child but then she was extremely paranoid....

[Pam]

Yes, I saw that program! It's so frightening isn't it!

Let me tell you a about a man who tried to pick me up when I was 10. I can remember this incident, word for word, like it were yesterday.

We lived on a dairy farm and I had a long bus trip home, then a long winding driveway (I'd ride a bike) to the house. This man followed the school bus, stopping to try to pick up girls like myself after being dropped off. I had a lucky escape, as when he asked me to get into his vehicle , alarm bells rang and I ran, grabbed my bike and rode home. He could have grabbed me, no one would have heard me screaming. Our house was half a mile away. I couldn't be seen from our house for the trees. A quiet country road, it could have been some time before a car came to wittness anything. Luckily he drove off, deciding I might be too hard.

This man mentioned sexual references to me that I had never heard before and had no idea what he meant. You can imagine my mothers shock when I repeated what that man had said to me ..and asked her what it meant.

The bus driver confirmed to police that he had noticed him following the bus, but didn't realise what he was up too. Another parent also saw him approach her daughter (but at the sight of her he sped off). The police never found this man. From then onwards the bus driver waited until each child was a safe distance up their driveway, if the parent was unable to actually meet the bus.

Luckily for me, I wasn't scared emotionally.

I thought I'd share my story with you all, as it's another instance to be aware something could happen. My parents thought I was perfectly safe being dropped off by the school bus right outside our driveway!

[mel35]

Gee Pam you were really lucky.

My daughter did it again just this morning. While I was getting changed this morning she went downstairs to get dressed too and while down there my next door neighbour came to the front door I didn't even hear her and Miss 4 opened it up and let her in then came upstairs to tell me she was here. I was only upstairs for 2 minutes if that. I think I'm going to have to get one of those safety chains on the front door.

[Leigh]

I think the little ones, don't really understand that one day it might be someone they shouldn't be opening the door too. Usually when someone comes to the door, it's a freind, or Nana and Grandpa, why wouldn't we be excited when there is a knock at the door.

Older ones should know the difference, if they are yet able to grasp the concept, well I don't think they are old enough to be left at home alone. How old were the kids on the show?

[MissieK]

I agree with you, Leigh.

We're trying to get our landlord to put a dead bolt on the front door as Mr 3.5 can reach the knob & it's only a matter of time before he opens the door. I don't want Mr 17 months to escape - or worse!

Melissa

[Monty]

Pam that is truly terrifying but thank you for sharing with us. I wonder if the man ever got caught somewhere else or later down the line. To think that peoophiles have been around for probably ever is really scary....

How old should kids be to be left home alone do you think??

[Julia]

Leigh: The kid's ages ranged from about 10 to 14. Like you say, when they're younger the parents are home so it's not so much of an issue.

Mind you, even with me home if a stranger knocked on the door I'd hardly be able to protect myself or my kids.

Pam: That's a terrifying story. I dread the day my kids go to school (remind me I said that tomorrow when they're doing my head in). At this age you're with them all the time so have control over what they do & who they see, but it must be so much harder when they're older & more independent.