Dad Lets Teen Sleep At A Friend’s. A Chilling One-Letter Text Arrives Next
‘Have you found yourself in situations where you felt uncomfortable, but you stuck around, only because you didn't have any way out?'
Thinking about the teenage years, where kids want space but at the same time, still need protection, this father came up with a strategy.
Bert Fulks, has learnt a lot from his adolescent addiction treatment group.
Helping kids who are overcoming addictions and raising three kids himself, Bert created a better way to address teenagers issues. Even his own kids benefitted from the plan.
So, when the kids in the support group told him they often stayed in uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situations just because they didn't have an easy way out, he realized something: kids need escape routes.
Bert decided to implement a rule with his own kids. Bert gave his kids a secret text message they could send him whenever. No questions asked, if they needed to get out of a bad situation fast, his kids knew he'd be there to help without expecting any explanation.
Check out below to learn about Bert's clever parenting tactic.
Your Kid Will Learn How to Get out Of Tough Situations, But Before That...
Bert Fulks is a blogger, minister, and dad to three kids.
He and his wife do everything they can to raise their children as conscientious citizens of the world.
However, Bert also knows that no matter how well-raised and awesome kids are, they inevitably end up in some tough situations as they get older.
A necessary part of growing up is figuring out how to safely navigate scenarios where you are uncomfortable.
Bert knows that his kids have to learn how to do this on their own, but he also wants to give them the support they need to make an exit safely and swiftly any time they need to.
The Letter X
He uses a text exchange with his youngest son, Danny, as an example.
After giving his son permission to sleep over at a friend's house, Bert reminds him, "Be good. Remember who you are. And whose you are."
His son replies, "I know. Thx."
Then, later that night, he sends another text, the single letter, "X."
The letter "X" is the agreed-upon code word in the Bert household.
As soon as Dad saw that text message, he knew his son needed to get away from his friend's house immediately.
The letter X is just part of the plan
The letter "X" is just one part of Bert's X Plan.
Here's how it works:
"All he has to do is text the letter ‘X' to any of us (his mother, me, his older brother or sister). The one who receives the text has a very basic script to follow. Within a few minutes, they call Danny's phone. When he answers, the conversation goes like this:
"Hello?"
"Danny, something's come up and I have to come get you right now."
"What happened?"
"I'll tell you when I get there. Be ready to leave in five minutes. I'm on my way."
At that point, Danny tells his friends that something's happened at home, someone is coming to get him, and he has to leave."
The only way out
This is the perfect solution for Danny, or any other kid looking for a similar plan.
Sending an anonymous text that looks like a typo is the perfect way to inconspicuously alert your parents that something is up and get an immediate exit plan.
Bert also emphasizes that the plan is meant as a safety measure, and that the kids don't have to say a word to Mom and Dad about the situation if they don't want to. They also can't get in trouble for using the code.
In other words, if one of the kids decided to drink a beer or smoke a cigarette before realizing that the situation is out of control and calling home, he or she will still feel comfortable getting Mom or Dad's assistance.
If the teen is worried about getting in trouble, there's a chance that he or she will try to stick it out at the party and end up in a worse scenario.
We're hoping this idea gets spread and more parents and kids benefit themselves from Bert's plan and create versions tailored to their own family.
H/T: littlethings.com
Be sure to SHARE this awesome idea with friends and family who have teens!