Category: Speaking Up
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Speaking With Your Pediatrician
by a Colorado MomI took my eight-year-old daughter to the doctor because she was having some irritation around her vagina. I talked with her ahead of time and said that the doctor may need to look at her vagina. I repeated, as I have in the past, that it’s okay because I’ll be with her…
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I am a Radical Mama
by Julia Julian, Colorado MomI am a radical mama. I teach my children they are the boss of their bodies. In our family we do not keep secrets. We talk about everything. We listen to the good, the bad, and the ugly. NO means NO. We play “What if” games. We teach the names of…
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How I Stopped a Man Who Was Grooming
By Melina Stock, Chicago MomYears before I had my own son, I was working as a nanny for a family who had three young daughters. During that time, it was discovered that a classmate of their eldest daughter, Bea, (name changed to protect her anonymity) was being sexually abused by a family member. Bea’s parents…
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A Teddy Bear, a Secret, and a Teachable Moment
by Gina, Colorado MomMy husband and I took our daughter and nephew to Build-a-Bear for Valentine’s Day. For those who aren’t familiar with this, each child gets to construct an animal, and then choose clothes, shoes, accessories – and leave with a custom animal. On the company website, it says “Select a heart, whisper a wish…
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What I Witnessed – And What I Did About It
By AnonymousI wanted to tell you about something I witnessed at our school with the aftercare children and our “coach.”I happened to be in the area doing something and turned around and saw a young girl laying across the lap of the coach. He was “playfully” using her hand to spank her own bottom. All…
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A Survivor’s Path to Finding a Babysitter for Her Son
by Jessica, Colorado MomWhen I was pregnant with my son, I was online searching for some type of local organization or group that provided education around childhood sexual abuse. I had spent my childhood and early teen years being sexually abused and assaulted by a trusted family member. I wanted to protect my son, but…