I had an interesting experience with one of my students today-- showed up at his house to teach and he answered the door but said, "My parents have a rule that no one except family can come in the house if they're not here, so I'm sorry but you'll have to wait until my Dad gets back. I'm really sorry, 'cause I know I'm supposed to have a lesson."
I just looked at him and smiled, and told him of course it was all right, and that it was good that he followed his parents' rule. In a way I was really proud of him-- most kids I teach aren't given tools and information to protect themselves in this way, and even so, some of them might not follow their parents' directions.
When I talked to his father later that night (who was exasperated because of the missed lesson), I told him I was proud that his son had held up the rule. It's just a good thing, even though they and I both know I'm a safe person to leave him with. After all, look at all of the child abductions that are carried out by someone the family knows. I have to say, I wish more parents used this rule with their kids-- I think they'd get in a lot less trouble for it.
