Can't decide what to do....

[HollyJoy]

I know this is silly, but I am having trouble deciding whether or not to order the girls those Guest of Honor badges. I REALLY like them, and I know the girls would be THRILLED to get them. My dilemma? Having their names in plain view for all to see. Hmm...what to do. I've seen posts on here about them before, and there were good arguements for each side. Please help me decide. Give me your reasons for either letting your children wear them or not wear them! Thanks!

 

[Disney Spaz]

I would say do it if you plan on staying with your DD through the entire trip. If they will be going on rides alone or walking by themselves I would say probably not. WDW has amazing security if that helps to ease any of your concerns. I know as a parent it can be scary. I will say that I have studied child predators in college for years and if they find a child they are interested in they will follow that child and wait to hear someone using the childs name to gain that childs trust when they approach the child. Not trying to scare you but this is what I have always been taught. That being said I would put them on my DS's when they were younger and they were fine. Hope this helps and does not add to your concerns.

 

[mudnuri]

I went with my gut instinct- first time I read about them on here, I thought- uugghhh their NAME ??? no way....

I personally didnt order them for my DD's, call me paranoid, BUT....we dont put their names on anything thats visible to strangers. Even their backpacks for school...have initals, or nothing.

I know people will say WDW is the safest place in the world for kids, but I still have the fear...for instance, when we were there in April, the rule was "your feet dont move unless your hand is in either mine or dads"....


call me paranoid- I'm okay with that.

by the way- your daughters are beautiful, and they take wonderful pictures. beautiful smiles...

Brandy

 

[TXMommy]

I'm not trying to be ugly, but you're worried about your girls wearing their names on their shirts but you post their pictures on the Internet?

I don't see the harm in letting them wear the GOH badges - my kids have worn theirs for 2 trips and they love them! As long as your girls know to stay with you and NEVER go with anyone who is a stranger, even if the stranger knows their names, they should be fine.

 

[mickeysaver]

If some jerk wants to snatch your kids, they are going to do it with or without their name being available. I see no problem with the GOH badges at WDW parks as long as the children as staying in your control at all times. I wouldn't want to see a child walking down the street outside of the pixie dust bubble though. Maggie

 

[HollyJoy]

Originally posted by TXMommy
I'm not trying to be ugly, but you're worried about your girls wearing their names on their shirts but you post their pictures on the Internet?

I think it's a wee bit different.

 

[heidica]

I plan on getting GOH badges for my kids, but I am going to have them only wear them at the parks. When we exit the parks, I am going to take them off. That way, the kids have the opportunity to have characters and CM's address them by name, but then outside the parks they don't need them. They won't be going off by themselves (even to the bathroom) so that isn't an issue, but like mickeysaver said if some evil person wants to take a kid, they will find away to do it. Sad to say. Also, only you know your kids and how they handle other people using their names, so do what you feel is right for your kids.

 

[swilphil]

If you want them badly enough, order them but only let your girls wear them for short periods of time, like when you are at a meal, doing character autographs, or waiting in a long line for a ride with you. The "evil" people have an advantage if they know your child's name and can convince her to go with them.

 

[HollyJoy]

Originally posted by swilphil
If you want them badly enough, order them but only let your girls wear them for short periods of time, like when you are at a meal, doing character autographs, or waiting in a long line for a ride with you. The "evil" people have an advantage if they know your child's name and can convince her to go with them.

Thanks!! This is a good idea. It makes a lot of sense. I'm definately leaning towards getting the badges now.

 

[TXMommy]

Holly,

Sadly, there ARE evil people in the world who prey on young children, but as other posters here have mentioned, if they have decided they want your kids, they are going to get them whether or not their name is on their shirt. And it should be pointed out that just from your signature on this board (which includes a link to your family website), which anyone can read, I know your name, your girls' names and ages, exactly what they look like, and when you are going to be at WDW. That's a lot of information to put out there! I wouldn't worry about the GOH badges - they are simply for fun.

 

[T16GEM]

I agree, you should get them they are part of the fun. I am sure that your girls are sensible enough to understand that when you tell them to do something that there are reasons and Mommy and Daddy are boss! I do think that you should remove them from them when you leave the parks tho, and maybe just keep them as special park only things. Just my opinion.

 

[Buzzfanmom]

I have the badges for both of my kids. They are ages 4 and 2. My husband and I have the kids with us at all times and they are either holding our hands or their grandparents hands. I like the badges because the kids do get some special treatment and they think its so cool that CM's and other NICE people call them by name. I'm sure there are a ton of wackos out there but I really do have my kids attached to me so I don't worry about it too much. I'm sure as a parent you would never let your kids out of your site in which case you should be fine!!!

 

[HollyJoy]

Originally posted by TXMommy
Holly,

Sadly, there ARE evil people in the world who prey on young children, but as other posters here have mentioned, if they have decided they want your kids, they are going to get them whether or not their name is on their shirt. And it should be pointed out that just from your signature on this board (which includes a link to your family website), which anyone can read, I know your name, your girls' names and ages, exactly what they look like, and when you are going to be at WDW. That's a lot of information to put out there! I wouldn't worry about the GOH badges - they are simply for fun.

Very true! I think I'm going to go ahead and get them. They will be with me or DH AT ALL TIMES. Thanks for your input!

 

[TXMommy]

You're welcome!! Have a great time! I wish I were going sooner (I still have a while to wait, as you can see from my countdown!)!!

 

[campingcorgi]

If you are anything like me, someone would only have to be behind you for about 30 seconds to learn your kid's names, anyway. Lauren, look at this. Lauren, put that back Lauren, you want a drink,..... you get the picture! And I don't really worry about a stranger getting her because they know her name--she rarely answers, anyway

 

[JABEAR]

If anything it will enhance your vacation. They will make your kids feel even more special due to the extra attention from CM's.

 

[NMAmy]

I would go ahead and get them but if you're concerned, I'll tell you what I've always done with DD. Since she was tiny, I've always told her that she should never go with anyone unless they can tell her our secret password. Make up a password--the sillier the word the better and don't ever discuss it in public.

My ex is a cop and so I could see in an emergency situation that we might have to send another officer to get her and bring her somewhere. Now, we'd always try to send someone she knows but if that wouldn't work, I'd want her to know that I had sent this person to get her. A lot of police departments have the spouses of officers fill out forms saying, if the officer is harmed in the line of duty, who do you want to inform you, who do you want to pick up your children, etc. That's what got us thinking about it and dd has always known not to go with anyone who doesn't know the secret password even if it's a police officer. I've drilled it into her head that just because someone knows her name--that doesn't mean they know her.

I'm like the other poster who's constantly saying, "Come here, Caitlin. Look at that, Caitlin." Anybody who wants to know only has to listen to me for about 2 minutes!

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[bytheblood]

It is sad that there are so many awful people in this world, that we have to be paranoid about these types of things.

 

[disneyfanz04]

You have both your daughters, and a homepage posted on the world wide web for everyone to see, so I say go ahead...I did it for my daughter, and everyone commented on them...they were like did you guys win this trip(other guests) and CM's talked to her calling her by name, and she thought this was one of the highlights of the trip.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

The poll closed but I would have voted yes. I am an extremely overprotective parent. However, I don't see any risk or harm in having my girls names on a badge.