Hello, and thanks to everyone who shared tips on how to keep our kids safe in light of the tragic abduction of Tori Stafford.

I find the Child Find websites very helpful. Check them out.

My daughters had an interesting incident at their small Toronto school last Friday. A man was talking over the school yard fence to the kids. (I know, we should be able to shrug and say 'big deal.'). I loved how the school communciated the info. to all parents and had teachers remind students about safety and strangers. Here are some of the tips that came home in a letter:

• Trust your instincts (my favourite) and tell your parents or teachers whenever someone treats you or speaks to you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

• Know that someone you see regularly in the neighbourhood is still a stranger (isn't it sad we have to tell our kids that?) and should be treated as a stranger.

• If a car is following you, change directions and run.

• Say 'no' if an adult wants you to do something that you think is wrong.

• Never approach or enter a stranger's car. Adults have no reason to offer you a ride, ask you for directions, or for help.

• Always walk with a buddy.

I hope these tips are helpful.

My current mum dilemma is how to keep our daughter, who turns 7 this Friday (yeah!) interested in playing the piano. Share your tips with me on how you keep your kids interested in music lessons.

Tak to you soon!

P.S. Next post, I'll tell you about a brilliant live music concert I went to, and give you the chance to win a CD. Yes, it's contest time again.

Sorry I have been an absent blogger for the past week. I took some time away from work and the computer to enjoy the spring sunshine with my kids.

While I love surfing and writing online, I'm a big believer in brief sabbaticals from it all.

It's still gloriously warm and sunny here in Toronto, but our country is bathed in sadness from the loss of a little girl, Victoria "Tori" Stafford who was abducted and murdered in Woodstock, Ont.

When the tragic news broke yesterday, I know every mother was thinking of Tori's mum ... and the unbearable weight of her grief. I chatted with my neighbour last night — a stoic accountant who told me she broke down in tears in the office.

I also know that every mum, like me, was thinking twice about her own kids' safety.

The reality is that we can't protect our kids from every danger — and at the same time we can't scare them to death, or deny them the freedom and independence that they need to grow and make good decisions for themselves.

A few weeks ago my 10 year-old daughter, Liv, saw me at the computer watching the grainy video of a woman leading Tori away from her school. That same woman is now charged with her abduction. I told Liv what I was watching. I also told her, 'No matter what the person says ('Keep quiet and come with me or I'll hurt you and your family') scream and kick like hell if anyone tries to get you to go somewhere with them.'

In the coming days, I'll have a talk with both my daughters about strangers and safety. I'm not sure what I'll say, but I know my challenge will be striking that fine balance between giving them the information they need to be safe and not instilling fear.

What will you tell your kids?

P.S. The first 10 people who reply will receive a copy of The BlackBerry Diaries - Adventures in Modern Motherhood by Canadian funny lady, Kathy Buckworth.