These are dangerous times...

...as I am sure they have always been in many different ways. The news these days are flooding our tvs with news of women who have gone missing or have been murdered. Now I don't know if at this moment they are just publicising these crimes more or that it is actuallyhappening more. Either way there are legitamite threats out there to our safety and that of our unborn and young children. What do you ladies do to stay safe in the world today?
Also as you can see I only put an animated picture of myself on this site and just inform other mommies of the state I am in not the city. I dohave a myspace page, that since I had my son I made into a private page and cut down on the number of "random" friends I add. How much information do you ladies think is too much to give out onlinein your opinion?
Stay safe ladies and be careful!

Quoting GypsyQueen:“ ...as I am sure they have always been in many different ways. The news these days are flooding our tvs ... [snip!] ... How much information do you ladies think is too much to give out onlinein your opinion? Stay safe ladies and be careful!”

Really and truly any info that goes out is probly too much... I just have faith in the fact that I am not cool enough to stalk LOL My kids pics are all on private and only ppl I know have access to their pics... I used to carry mace but I am a dork and my husband was convinced I would mace myself so he bought a little derringer I am supposed to carry on my when I am out alone. He won't let me or the kids go anywhere after dark w/o him, unless I am not going more than 10 feet away and I have to keep him on my cell the WHOLE time LOL

I was talking to my husband about this.

you're absolutely right. The world is crazy and it's so hard to put your faith into other people. Just always be aware of your environment, and try not to venture off alone, especially at night. Check around your car before you get in and try to take a different route home , little stuff like that, just keep your eyes open. I also have my myspace set to private and you have to know my email/ last name to add me as a friend. Also anything can be hacked so just be mindful of the info/ and or pics you put on the internet.

I think about the hacking issue too  I know that no matter how "private" I make my page that it can still be accessed by someone who really wants to see it. I wonder sometimes if I should just erase the whole page.... but I really use it to keep in touch with some close friends who do not always have the time to call. Am I being selfish in a way for keeping it?
I have never been so worried about safety in my life. I used to think I was superwoman. Well, I guess I still do in some ways. I practice martial arts and I always had the mind frame that if someone was to "catch me off guard" I could fight my way out of it. That was when it was just me though... I know I would fight to the death for my kids, hell I would fight to the death for anyones child who was in danger... It just makes it so much more stressful when it is another life you are protecting and responsible for.
I probably started to ramble, but that is the core of my worries right now. What if I am not able to protect them 
lol my parents (whoare very over protective) warned me that my view on the world would change when I had children of my own.

That's cause men are scared of us andthey are finally realizing that we don't need them any more...We will rule.....

j/k.....

As much as I would love to go live on a desert island where no bad people can influence our lives, that is not going to happen. So the second best is to just stay continually aware of things. I made my myspace private as well, although here I think I do give out a little too much information and it is archived on Google REALLY fast (I googled my daughter's name and my posts from baby-gaga came up immediately.)

I am trying to limit my internet time because I want to be a good example for when she gets older too. Aside from that, the only thing I can do regarding her is be vigilant of what she is doing, where she is going (online and off), and who she is with.

Oh yeah and I'm putting her in aikido classes as soon as she's old enough so she can throw people who may try and mess with her.

This scares me.  I automatically think that because I live in a small town that nothing bad will happen.  I am taking today as a sign that I put myself at WAY to much risk.  Its time for me to change my way of thinking, and living.  Thanks for the post!!!!!

Your Welcome!!!