What is Trailies, exactly?

Trailies helps parents have the hard conversations, body safety, big feelings, online safety, that matter most but that most of us put off because we don't know what to say. We hand you the exact words. Word-for-word scripts, age-calibrated, on cards you read at bedtime. Five minutes per Talk. Built on PCIT and CBT frameworks, tested with real families before anything ships.

What does "a Talk" mean?

Each Talk is a complete card-based script system for one of the hard parenting conversations. Right now we ship three: The Body Safety Talk, The Online Safety Talk, and The Big Feelings Deck. More on the way. A Talk is a five minute, script-in-hand conversation. A beginning, an end, and the exact words in between. You don't need a course or a book. You open the first card and read it together, and it's done before lights out.

Which Talk should I start with?

Depends on what's keeping you up at night. The Body Safety Talk is the one most parents put off the longest, start there if you have a 3-10 year old and you've been telling yourself "I'll do it next week" for a year. The Online Safety Talk is for parents whose kid is on Roblox, a tablet, or a friend's phone, usually 6+. The Big Feelings Deck is for the 7:32 AM cereal meltdowns.

What age range does this work for?

Body Safety: 3-10, with age-segmented scripts for 3-5, 6-8, and 9-10. Research strongly supports starting at age 3. Online Safety: roughly 6-12, calibrated for the platforms kids actually encounter at each age. Big Feelings: 3-10 officially. But we've seen 2-year-olds stomp out angry feelings and 15-year-olds quietly grab the breathing cards. Big feelings don't check your birth certificate first.

My partner thinks one of these is overkill. How do I bring them around?

This is genuinely one of the most common emails we get. Two things tend to land. First, show them the quiz results. Most parents score 2 or 3 out of 7 on the body safety quiz, which is sobering, and it shifts the frame from "overkill" to "we have a real gap to close." Second, show them the Science page. Once they see PCIT, CBT, and 200+ studies attached to it, the "overkill" framing usually breaks. Even partial buy-in works. As long as one parent reads the cards, the kid gets the words.

Won't this scare my child?

This is the #1 fear parents bring to us, and the answer is no, not when it's done right. The scripts are empowerment-based, not fear-based. They're built around what your child can do, here are your rules, here's your safety circle, here's how to tell us anything, not "bad things might happen to you." Parents tell us their kids feel more confident after, not less. A Cochrane systematic review of school-based prevention programs confirmed body safety education does NOT increase anxiety or fear in children. More on the Science page.

My child is 3. Isn't that too young?

3 is exactly the right age to start. The 3-5 script set uses simple, gentle language, nothing graphic, nothing scary. Think of it like teaching them to look both ways before crossing the street: a calm rule, repeated until it's second nature. Research is clear that earlier is more effective, not less. Research on school-based body-safety programs (see the studies on our Science page) finds kids who learn this language are more likely to recognize and report unsafe situations, and the rules become part of how they understand their body, rather than a "scary talk" introduced later.

I've already taught "good touch / bad touch." Don't I have this covered?

Probably not, and you're not alone. "Good touch / bad touch" covers maybe 2 of the 7 rules in the system. The big ones most parents miss: Tricky Touch (unsafe touch doesn't always hurt, it can feel ticklish, warm, even nice), No Bad Secrets (the difference between a surprise and a secret), and the Safety Circle (your kid needs 5 specific named adults, not vague "tell a grown-up"). Take the 30-second quiz at go.trailies.com/body-safety-quiz, most parents score 2 or 3 out of 7. We hear "I had no idea" almost every day.

It's a complete card-based conversation system, 43 cards plus 4 expert guides organized into a step-by-step framework. You can use it on your phone, tablet, or print it. The "PDF" framing undersells it. This is the same content child safety educators train for years to deliver, organized as scripts you read in five minutes at bedtime.

The price for a digital product feels like a lot.

It costs less than one hour with a child specialist. This system covers all your kids, gets used dozens of times across years, and gives you the exact same language clinicians use, pre-organized into age-appropriate scripts. You also get our Try it for 90 days. If it's not the right fit for your family, email us and we'll make it right, no hoops. (We've had it for over two years and the refund rate is under 2%.)

What if my child has already experienced something?

The system includes the "If They Tell You" disclosure response guide, exactly what to say (and what NOT to say) if your child ever discloses something to you. This is the guide we hope you never need. Reading it once, before anything happens, is what you'd want a child therapist to coach you through. We give it to you in 3 pages of plain language. If something has already happened: please reach out to a licensed child therapist who specializes in trauma. Our cards are a tool, not a therapeutic intervention. They can complement professional support but not replace it.

Will this make my child afraid of trusted adults?

No, and that's actually the whole point. About 90% of child sexual abuse is committed by someone the family already knows and trusts (Crimes Against Children Research Center). Generic "stranger danger" gives kids the wrong template, it tells them the threat is unfamiliar when statistically it's not. The Body Safety Talk teaches that bodies and rules apply to every relationship, including trusted ones. Parents tell us their kids end up more connected to safe adults, not less, because they have clear rules for what's normal and what isn't.

We already use parental controls. Isn't that enough?

Honestly, no, not by themselves. Parental controls solve supervision. They don't solve education. Your kid will eventually be on a friend's iPad, a school Chromebook, public WiFi, or a platform you didn't know existed. The Online Safety Talk gives them the script for what to do when no parent is watching the screen. Both supervision and education matter. Most parents have one and not the other. We hear "I thought I was covered, I wasn't" almost daily.

At what age should we start the Online Safety Talk?

We recommend starting around 6-7, even before your kid has their own device. Kids encounter the open internet earlier than parents realize, friends' phones, school tablets, Roblox in the living room, YouTube on the TV. The Talk is calibrated for ages 6-12, with scripts that scale from "stranger DMs you on Roblox" to "someone asks you to send a picture."

My kid doesn't have a phone or social media yet. Do we still need this?

Yes. The most common predator entry points right now aren't social media in the traditional sense, they're game chats (Roblox, Fortnite), voice servers (Discord), and YouTube comment sections. If your kid uses any of those, or a friend's device, or a school iPad, the Talk applies. Best to do it before the first incident, not after.

What platforms does this cover?

The scripts are written to be platform-agnostic. They teach the underlying patterns, stranger contact, "this is our special game" framing, asking for pictures, asking your kid to keep it secret from parents, not platform-specific rules. Specific examples reference Roblox, Snapchat, Discord, TikTok, and YouTube because those are the most common entry points right now. The rules transfer to any platform your kid will use over the next decade, including ones that don't exist yet.

Is this fear-based, or empowerment-based?

Empowerment-based, just like the Body Safety Talk. The scripts give your kid clear rules and a script to use, "if anyone asks you for a picture, here's what you say, then you tell me." We don't show predator behavior, we don't lean on horror stories, we don't dress up scare tactics. Same approach, different domain.

How do I introduce the Deck for the first time?

Start when everyone's calm, not mid-meltdown. Show them the cards and say something like "Hey, I found this cool thing that helps when feelings get really big." Let them explore and pick a card to try together. Make it feel like play, not like another thing they "have to" do.

What if my child refuses to participate?

Totally normal. Start small, do the activity yourself first, out loud. Make it playful, not another task. Most kids come around once they realize it's actually fun. If they still resist after a week, try pairing it with something else they like, cards before the show, cards before the snack. Skill-building works best when it's wrapped around something good.

Can this help kids with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent needs?

Yes, and parents and teachers tell us it's especially helpful for neurodivergent kids because it gives them something concrete to do with feelings, instead of just "talk about" them. The activities are flexible and adaptable, adjust for sensory preferences, attention spans, whatever your kid needs. The visual + body-based approach often lands harder for kids who don't process emotions through language alone.

How often should we use it?

Daily practice works best, especially when everyone's calm. Think of it like learning to ride a bike, you want the moves familiar before they need them. Even 5 minutes a day makes a measurable difference. Two weeks of consistent use is when most parents notice the shift.

Should I get the digital or printed version?

Honest answer: get the printed deck if your kid is going to handle the cards (they will). Get the digital version if you want it on your phone for backup, or if you're a teacher or therapist using them across multiple kids. Many parents get both, digital for mobile, printed for the kid. Same content either way.

How long before I see results?

Two different clocks here. In the moment, a card works the first time you use it, that's the point of them. The bigger shift (your kid grabbing a card before the meltdown) usually lands fast, and the deeper skill keeps building for months. In our survey, 90% of families see a change in the first 7 days. You're building a skill, not fixing a problem, so the deeper change keeps compounding, but the easier morning conversations usually show up sooner than you'd expect.

What's your refund policy?

Our 90-day money-back guarantee on every Talk. If the conversations don't feel easier, or if your child doesn't engage with the cards, email for a full refund. No "send it back" hassle for digital products. No questions asked.

How do I access digital products?

Right after checkout. As soon as your payment goes through, the download link lands in your email. Most parents get it within 2 minutes. If you don't see it: check spam and promotions, sometimes Gmail filters us. Still nothing? Email and we'll resend it.

Can I use this with all my kids?

Yes, one purchase, all your kids, lifetime. There's no per-child license. Print as many copies as you want, share across siblings, use the digital version on multiple devices. We also include lifetime updates, when we add new scripts or refine existing ones, you get them automatically.

How long does shipping take? (Printed editions only)

Ships within 24 hours, arrives in 5-10 days for most countries. There are a few restricted locations, and checkout will flag them at the time of order. You'll get a tracking number via email as soon as the deck ships. If something arrives damaged, photos to gets a replacement on its way the same day.

I lost cards / can't find my download / need help.

To access your digital products, log in at my.trailies.com. For anything else, email , usually answered within 24 hours. Lost cards? We can send replacements or a fresh deck. We don't gatekeep access to something that helps a kid.

Do you offer discounts for schools, therapists, or nonprofits?

Yes, we partner with schools, therapy practices, and nonprofits. Click here to learn more and apply. We work with classrooms, therapy practices, churches, child advocacy nonprofits, and shelters. Educator and survivor-advocate pricing is always available, just ask.

FAQ

Frequently asked. Honestly answered.

The same questions every parent asks before their first Talk. Plus the ones nobody wants to admit they're wondering. Answered the way a friend would, not a brand.

90-day money-back guarantee
Instant access
Lifetime use

Find Your Starting Talk →Browse questions ↓

A mom and her daughter playing with arms outstretched on the bed — no jargon. just answers.

We answer every emailUsually within 24 hours

Getting started

The basics, in plain English.

If this is your first time on the site, start here. Five quick answers to the questions every newcomer asks.

Read our story

The Body Safety Talk

The conversation most parents put off for two years.

The biggest objections we hear, answered honestly. If you're nervous about this Talk, you're in the majority, and probably the right person to do it.

Shop this Talk

The Online Safety Talk

For the platforms you didn't grow up on.

Roblox. Snapchat. Discord. The things on your kid's screen that you probably haven't used yourself. Here's what to ask, and what most parents miss.

Shop this Talk

The Big Feelings Deck

For the 7:32 AM cereal meltdowns.

The original deck. Used in homes, classrooms, and therapy offices in 68 countries. Here's how parents and teachers actually use it.

Shop this Talk

Access & support

Pricing, refunds, shipping, support, all the boring stuff.

The logistics. Skim it, bookmark it, come back to it. We answer every email, usually within 24 hours.

Didn't find your question?

Just ask us.

We answer every email, within one business day, often the same day. There's no support ticket form or chatbot; you'll get a real person, often me.

"If your question isn't here, ask. I read these myself."

support@trailies.com

Answered by a human
Within one business day
90-day money-back guarantee

Got your answers? Now go have the Talk.

Pick the one you've been putting off. Open the first card tonight. Five minutes at bedtime. The conversation finally done.

Find Your Starting Talk →Read our story →

Debbie

Debbie, Co-Founder, Trailies

Frequently asked. Honestly answered.

The basics, in plain English.

What is Trailies, exactly?

What does "a Talk" mean?

Which Talk should I start with?

What age range does this work for?

My partner thinks one of these is overkill. How do I bring them around?

The conversation most parents put off for two years.

Won't this scare my child?

My child is 3. Isn't that too young?

I've already taught "good touch / bad touch." Don't I have this covered?

Is this just a PDF?

The price for a digital product feels like a lot.

What if my child has already experienced something?

Will this make my child afraid of trusted adults?

For the platforms you didn't grow up on.

We already use parental controls. Isn't that enough?

At what age should we start the Online Safety Talk?

My kid doesn't have a phone or social media yet. Do we still need this?

What platforms does this cover?

Is this fear-based, or empowerment-based?

For the 7:32 AM cereal meltdowns.

How do I introduce the Deck for the first time?

What if my child refuses to participate?

Can this help kids with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent needs?

How often should we use it?

Should I get the digital or printed version?

How long before I see results?

Pricing, refunds, shipping, support, all the boring stuff.

What's your refund policy?

How do I access digital products?

Can I use this with all my kids?

How long does shipping take? (Printed editions only)

I lost cards / can't find my download / need help.

Do you offer discounts for schools, therapists, or nonprofits?

Just ask us.

Got your answers? Now go have the Talk.