Top 5 Self-Defense Tips for Moms: A mother’s top priority is always the safety of her child. I truly realized this when my baby girl arrived in January 2024. It transformed how I think about safety while walking, so let’s explore our top 5 self-defense tips for moms for strolling with your little one.
Tip 1. Walk with your dog
According to Tim Larkin in “When Violence is the Answer,” police suggest that a dog is the most effective security system available. Dogs support the three main principles of self-defense that we teach women in our program: to deter, detect, and defend.
Dogs serve as a strong deterrent to potential attackers mainly because of their barking. An attacker typically wants to avoid drawing attention, and a barking dog ensures that won’t happen. As Tim mentions, the only way to silence a barking dog in the face of danger is to shoot it, but that loud gunshot only adds to the noise, undermining the goal of quieting the situation.
Tip 2: Know your offensive options
I truly believe in the importance of developing physical self-defense skills because they are something that can never be taken away from you. However, even the most skilled martial artist faces challenges when carrying a baby in their arms or pushing a stroller.
From my perspective, the most effective physical move you can make while baby-wearing is a swift kick to the groin to create an opening for a quick getaway.
If you’re proficient with a firearm, it’s wise to carry it. Personally, I opt for pepper spray, and when I find myself on a more isolated path, I keep it ready to use.
Tip 3: Dress ready to fight
Imagine you had to gear up for a fight today—what would you choose to wear? I can guess you’d resemble Lara Croft more than Mary Poppins! You definitely wouldn’t opt for flip flops or baggy clothes that could trip you up; instead, you’d pick something that allows you to move swiftly and confidently.
It’s probably not a great idea to pick a fight with someone in sneakers if you’re just in flip flops. I mean, a guy ready to throw down is likely to have some solid running shoes on, and those sandals won’t do you any favors.
Tip 4: Ditch your routine
While routines can be helpful in certain aspects of motherhood, they can pose risks when it comes to safety. Predators look for two key elements to strike: a target and an opportunity. If they are aware of your daily schedule and whereabouts, they can easily plan an attack. To stay safe, vary the timing and path of your walks. Keep your routine unpredictable.
Tip 5: Use the full extent of your senses
There’s one piece of advice that stands out above the rest. Sure, dogs have sharper senses than we do, but they won’t always be by our side. Keep this in mind: deter, detect, defend. When you have a baby, focusing on deterrence and detection becomes even more crucial since your options for defense are quite limited. Engaging in a fight can be far too dangerous.
It’s important to stay alert and prevent potential dangers. Use your senses to their fullest, much like a dog would. Remember, your phone can be a major distraction that hampers your awareness. Treat it as a foe to your natural ability to detect threats. Keep it at a distance so your instincts can help protect you. If you want to enjoy music or a podcast, opt for speaker mode instead of headphones.
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