
22/09/2025
Talking about secrets and surprises with your child might feel simple, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to help keep them safe.
A surprise is something fun like a birthday party or a special gift that we share later to make someone happy, surprises are not kept hidden indefinitely.
A secret, on the other hand, is something we’re told never to tell. Secrets can make children feel worried, unsafe, or trapped.
Helping children understand this difference gives them the confidence to speak up if someone asks them to keep a secret. Remind your child: “We don’t keep secrets in our family, but surprises are different - they’re meant to be shared when the time is right!”
Clear, open conversations now build trust and protect children.
[Image description: Top: Older woman whispering a secret in the ear of a young girl who looks socked and has her hand over her mouth. Bottom: Smiling child hands present to a smiling older woman. “Secrets Vs Surprises” text in the centre and Derbyshire Family Health Service logo in top right.]