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God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies is a book to give to your kids to show them that God made them just as they are. Their bodies are good, and their bodies are their own. No one should touch them in a way that makes feel weird, uncomfortable, scared, angry, or sad. If so, they are free to go find help right away. God made all things. He made them well, he crafted them with care, and he determined how they should be used. Which means there are ways they should not be used. Children can share hugs, kisses, and high fives if they want to.
But they should not be forced or coerced to give a hug, kiss, or high five. A few people that your child can talk to is his or her mom, dad, teacher, and doctor.
There are no games, rewards, prizes, or treats that involve private parts.
There is a notepad later in the book where your son or daughter (or all of them) can brainstorm and write a list of people who will help them feel safe if someone makes them feel sacred or uncomfortable.
Secrets vs. Surprises
The authors make a distinction between secrets and surprises. Secrets are meant to be kept, hiding some kind of important information. Surprises are meant to be shared and given.
Surprises are great! Surprise birthday parties, surprise gifts, surprise dessert. Surprises are for happy occasions and are meant to bring joy. The Holcomb’s write, “Secrets are different from surprises… they can make people feel confused or sad.” As the dad in the book says, “People tell secrets when they don’t want other people to know things.”
The book ends with 9 ways to protect your child from sexual abuse. Each point has a sentence or paragraph-length answer. Teach your children the names of private body parts. Clarify the rules for playing “doctor.” Don’t ask your child to maintain your emotions. Though saying something like, “Mommy is sad, can I have a hug?” can be innocent enough, someone with more malicious motives can use similar language to lure a child to come close. Tell them whom they can trust, and just throw out the word “secret.”
The authors write in a footnote that this section summarizes points from two Stop It Now! tip sheets: Don’t Wait: Every Day Actions to Keep Kids Safe and Talking to Children and Teens.
Recommended?
God has given us our bodies, and they are our bodies, to be used for his glory. Children are blessings from God, and they need to be protected by parents and other adults. But some who are older, even adults, cannot be trusted. Since parents cannot always be around their children, this is a very helpful book to spark discussion and help kids know what is OK and what is not.
Highly recommended.
Lagniappe
- Series: God Made Me
- Authors: Justin and Lindsey Holdcomb
- Illustrator: Trish Mahoney
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Age Range: 8 – 12 years
- Publisher: New Growth Press (September 8, 2015)
- Sample: Read the first six pages
Find it on Amazon and New Growth Press!
Disclosure: I bought this book, and I wanted to review it. The opinions are my own (and my wife’s).
spoiledmilks 