How do i teach a 5yo about syringes?

[Gigi]

i talk about most things openly with my DD5.

But the one thing i have really avoided with her, because of my own unease in dealing with the subject matter, is how / what i should teach her about syringes.

People deal drugs outside where we live, people shoot up outside where we live, working pros walk up and down our street trolling for trade, i am finding syringes in the yard and of course, i'm scared one day DD5 will pick a syringe up, and bring it to me, saying "what is this mum?" (like she does if she finds a pin, needle or safety pin - i sew).

I want to educate her, without terrifying her, so she won't pick the syringes up, won't come into contact with them.

The fact of where we live, that i can't get us out of here, upsets me so much, it's all tied into my anger, i feel so guilty for making her live somewhere like this, i'm sure that's why i'm being such a chicken about addressing this issue with her, tied up with my own guilt that she lives here.

I would like any ideas on how to teach her about syringes, so she can be safe.
I never thought i'd have to have that talk, at such a young age. I thought it would be a theoretical talk, never dreamt it would end up being a practical talk.

i understand the bit about
this is a pic of a syringe, it's very sharp and if you see one, TELL ME, do not touch it EVER.
that part i get
it's all the other stuff, the questions i fear will lead on from this
"but what is it doing here"
"who put it in our yard"
"what were they doing with it"
so many things she might put me on the spot about, with regard to drugs
things i won't know how to answer (in an age appropriate way for a 5yo)



thanks for reading. I am stuck.

[Novella]

hmm tricky one

I would liken it to other rubbish people throw away and explain its too dangerous to pick that kind of rubbish up. That might answer the whats it doing there? people dont follow the rules properley and dont put rubbish in the bin
What were they doing with it? You could tell her some people use syringes for medicine if they are sick (true) but omit the drug related information until you think she is old enough.

[SunnyRain]

I think you can just be honest with her and answer any questions frankly. Your guilt (unfounded, I'm sure because you love her and do the very best you can for her) is clouding your judgement. This 1 issue could be one of the most important things you can teach her, because dirty used syringes are just so dangerous, she needs to know without sugar coating.

But just so you know, I went to a private school in the red light district in Sydney. Used syringes, dirty condoms, prostitutes and people shooting up were all around us. Things were found in the sandpits in the playground. The conversation you need to have with your daughter is not reserved for any single socioeconomic group. You don't need to feed bad that the conversation needs to take place. All over the world there are parents from all walks of life worried about what might be found in their back yard.

Sorry, this isn't the most eloquent post I've ever written. I hope you understand what I'm saying.



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[e_p]

when I was in year 5, so I guess age 10 or 11, there were some syringes found in the sandpit at school so we had an assembly about it. They showed us a big picture of a syringe and were told they were very dangerous and that if we saw one, to tell a teacher immediately and not to touch. I don't remember what else was said but I came away with the impression that it was basically people not disposing of rubbish the right way, and that needles were dangerous because they were sharp. I figured people used needles for medications...that was enough information to satisfy me until I was old enough to know about drugs.

Good luck - I'm sorry that stuff is going in your street

[krysalyss]

I would just say that needles are used for giving medicine. They need to go in special bins so that they don't make other people sick. Getting *****ed by a needle can make you very sick so please don't ever do it. Come and tell me straight away so I can make sure it goes in a proper bin. On drugs you could say: People sometimes take the wrong medicine because they think it will make them feel better but it makes them sicker. Sometimes this means that they don't put the needles in the special bins like they are supposed to.

I have a 5 yo and I think he would understand all of that. HTH

[Gigi]

thanks everyone, i feel alot clearer about what to do now, i really appreciate all these replies.

thanks also, for putting things into perspective for me, re my guilt, you're right Kuraiza, it was clouding my judgement.

THANKS VERY MUCH all of you, you have made me feel much better about broaching the topic with bilby.

[Marley&Me]

Ugh, dirty junkies. You poor thing having to deal with that