First of all, never use common words, ones that might come up frequently in everyday conversation. The last thing you want is for the word to be mentioned casually and cause unnecessary alarm.
These are words that others can easily guess like “school,” “birthday,” colors, and such. It shouldn’t be something obvious.
Secondly, consider a phrase if your child is old enough to remember it. A short, memorable phrase or a combination of two words can add an extra layer of security. It should be something that wouldn’t be easily guessed by others but is still easy for your child to recall.
Phrases like “sunshine forest,” “dancing penguin,” “blue apple,” and more. It’s best to test it out to ensure your child can recall it easily even under different circumstances, like when she’s stressed or calm.
Rule number three is to role-play scenarios with your child. Practice using the code word in various situations so they understand exactly when and how to use it. This will help them feel confident and prepared if they ever need to use it.
The experience we had was a powerful reminder of how such a simple plan could make a big difference. I hope that by sharing our story, more parents will consider creating a code word with their children. It might just be the tool they need in a critical moment.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or d.ead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.