Protecting the Gift

Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane)

By: Gavin De Becker

Narrated by: Gavin De Becker

Safety skills for children outside the home
Warning signs of sexual abuse
How to screen baby-sitters and choose schools
Strategies for keeping teenagers safe from violence

All parents face the same challenges when it comes to their children's safety: whom to trust, whom to distrust, what to believe, what to doubt, what to fear, and what not to fear. In this empowering book, Gavin de Becker, the nation's leading expert on predicting violent behavior and author of the monumental bestseller The Gift of Fear, offers practical new steps to enhance children's safety at every age level, giving you the tools you need to allow your kids freedom without losing sleep yourself. With daring and compassion, he shatters the widely held myths about danger and safety and helps parents find some certainty about life's highest-stakes questions:

How can I know a baby-sitter won't turn out to be someone who harms my child? (see page 103)
What should I ask child-care professionals when I interview them? (see page 137)
What's the best way to prepare my child for walking to school alone? (see page 91)
How can my child be safer at school? (see page 175)
How can I spot sexual predators? (see page 148)
What should I do if my child is lost in public? (see page 86)
How can I teach my child about risk without causing too much fear? (see page 98)
What must my teenage daughter know in order to be safe? (see page 191)
What must my teenage son know in order to be safe? (see page 218)
And finally, in the face of all these questions, how can I reduce the worrying? (see page 56)©1999 Gavin De Becker; (P)1999 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Gavin de Becker has done it again--this time for kids. Protecting the Gift provides practical solutions to keeping youngsters safe from the day-to-day violence that threatens their world. De Becker is truly a modern-day knight --a good guy who shares his intuitive and intellectual armor with us all. A brilliant lesson plan in prevention." --Ken Wooden, leading child advocate and author of Child Lures

A MUST READ for every parent!!

Practical, timeless, and important advice for anyone who is or may one day be a parent.

Great parenting book

The single greatest book on parenting, arming your children to navigate a complex world, and protecting our most important gift to humanity.

Every Parent/Adult Should Listen

I previously listened to The Gift of Fear and it was one of the best insightful books I’ve read, so as a parent, I knew I needed to follow it up with Protecting the Gift. You won’t be disappointed! The audio is a bit dated but the delivery is great. I believe every adult bears an ethical responsibility to educate himself on this topic. Highly recommend!

Similar to his first book. Gift of fear

Good information. Would be great gift for new or expecting parents. Only thing is a lot of the stories and info was covered in the Gift of Fear. I would probably recommend one or the other not both. Gift of fear for single women more and gift of fear for parents.

Great book, Gavin de Becker does it again.

Great book. As usual Gavin de Becker hit the nails on the heads. He hits it where it hurts in a good way. As a woman in the world after listening to this book and his other book gift of fear I feel more confident in protecting myself. I personally have my own history of trauma and his work has helped me understand how to recover my ability to think in terms of keeping myself safe. He breaks down signs, psychology and gives powerful examples of the dangers to avoid and how. This is a must listen for anyone seeking to give themselves the gift of personal safety as well as teaching others to be safe.

Purchase 1 for you and 1 as a gift for someone.

I want everyone I know and everyone i don't know to read this book! the information is so valuable, even if it makes you think about things you don't want to .

This book if full of great information.

I am going to give a copy of this book to my adult children.

If you have children a must read

Waaaa..... An eye opener !! I was raised by a cop but this book was another precaution list to put into action. It should be a course taught in high school as the author mentioned. Wish the author had more books. Get the audiobook It is much easier to refer to it when needed. The author also has template letters. Amazing author !! Heart breaker stories but sadly it is the world we live in.

Must Read for Parents and Coaches

This book is the best resource I have come across for learning to protect women and children and teaching them to protect themselves. I am truly grateful to the author for distilling these life lessons.

If you have kids or no someone who does…

This is a must read for any and all parents, teachers or anyone caring for or influencing kids.

It is compelling and powerful instructive.