Do you or would you...use a children's GPS in Disney?

[Schmeck]

Have there been any studies done of the effects of the radiation coming from these transmitters? Are they identical to regular GPS (low radiation) or do they have to be boosted because they send a signal out, not just receive one? Where do you strap it on the child, anywhere near a vital organ?

I'd want answers to those questions before I'd have my child wear one, especially if it's a new product on the market.

 

[AmyBWV99]

I'm totally shopping for one now for our upcoming trip. I never thought we'd need one my DS#1 has been and still is my shadow and a very good listener. DS#2 on the other hand is non-verbal, can unbuckle his stroller, a climber, fearless, has absolutely no stranger danger, a runner, and a poor listener. He is newly 2 but the difference is astounding, so much so that we had him screened for ASD, turned out nope it's just his way. He will take a stranger by the hand to lead them to something he wants and never look to see if we're near.

I had a mini stroke one day at the toddler play area at the mall. He was the only child even in there he handed me his paci the second I turned laid it on the bench truned back around and he was gone. Due to his lack of hieght and the 40 signs, benches, tables and chairs in that area I literally could not see him. I ran the area 3 times finally found him at the door to leave the mall. Luckily it was way early the mall was only open for walkers and breakfast but had it been regular hours he could have been in the parking lot before he was stopped. He thinks it's a game when you approach him.

So I feel ya, if you feel more comfortable go for it there's no such thing as over prepraed for anything you think you may encounter. I also use the toddler harnesses too, I did for DS#1 as well.

This March we began our trip in Tampa and spent a day at the Lowery Park Zoo, there was a lady in tears wearing a baby and had her school age child by the hand and they were beyond frantic the zoo employees were asking everyone coming out of the manatee area if they had seen her 2 year old. There were seas of school groups there and noticed that my 4 year was nearly swept away with them and mentioned it to the zoo employee. We saw the mom with her friend about 2 hours later, she'd gotten her little boy back but he'd been found in the resturant at the front door of the zoo which is a very, very long way away from where he began. He was found with one of the school groups. I will never forget that.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would but my second is special needs and runner. He is gone in the blink of an eye.

 

[Goin2Disney2006]

Thank you again everyone for the suggestions of areas to be even more careful...if that is even possible...LOL

 

[Mrs. Charming]

If it makes you feel better, Go for it! It's your child's safety we're talking about

 

[Princess Janay]

I love the idea . . . . but for ages 6 and up i think 4 is still a bit young. Placing a wristband with your Phone number is a great idea! Just please whatever you do dont put them on A baby leash!

 

[aetrom]

I love the idea . . . . but for ages 6 and up i think 4 is still a bit young. Placing a wristband with your Phone number is a great idea! Just please whatever you do dont put them on A baby leash!

just curious what is "wrong" with a leash? I have used one in the airport, it works GREAT in places where you have a lot you are paying attention too. there is nothing "wrong" with keeping your child safe!

I considered a gps and decided against it. it only works for so far, etc. and if I needed it I don't think it would help much. we just went to disneyland with my 2 kids as a "trial" run and I did the same thing as I do with any trip (to the beach, etc) with my oldest (4) we "practice" what he is supposed to do. if I say "stop" he stops, if I call his name he answers, etc. If he doesn't see us he STOPS and we find him, etc. (we watched in a mall once, he couldn't find us (he had run) and when he didn't see us he started looking and we followed him and he was SO FAR away from where we were. omg) anyway, so we implement and practice what we want him to know.

I am not all that concerned, I read a lot about disney, they have a pretty good setup for lost children (I bank that on lots of experience!) In the end I think the risk of losing your child is really small at disney.... and when you do lose them just make sure they know they are supposed to stay in public at all times and ONLY go with a cast member. no one else.

If you lose your child, seek out the nearest cast member. as they know what the protocol is....

 

[Nancyg56]

I love the idea . . . . but for ages 6 and up i think 4 is still a bit young. Placing a wristband with your Phone number is a great idea! Just please whatever you do dont put them on A baby leash!

When my DGD was little my DD used a little leash thing on her at the Big E. I was totally in support. When My DD was three we toook her to Mystic Aquarium. My sister had her by the hand but when the doors of the marine show opened crowds came through like a tidal wave. DD was literally swept from my sisters hand and she was pulled out of the building. It was terrifying for her and for us as well. If a parent feels more secure knowing that their little one is safe and they are not hurting anyone I cannot understand why anyone else should object.
OP- if a GPS reduces your anxiety then use it. Vacations are supposed to be happy and if you are worried your will not be able to enjoy it.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

When my DGD was little my DD used a little leash thing on her at the Big E. I was totally in support. When My DD was three we toook her to Mystic Aquarium. My sister had her by the hand but when the doors of the marine show opened crowds came through like a tidal wave. DD was literally swept from my sisters hand and she was pulled out of the building. It was terrifying for her and for us as well. If a parent feels more secure knowing that their little one is safe and they are not hurting anyone I cannot understand why anyone else should object.
OP- if a GPS reduces your anxiety then use it. Vacations are supposed to be happy and if you are worried your will not be able to enjoy it.

Not to sound terrible but if your dd was swept away by the crowd a leash would not have helped. She would have most likely fallen and gotten trampled or caught up in it. As awful as it was for her to get swept away it was probably better that she didn't have a leash on.

OP- get whatever makes you happy for your trip.

 

[Nancyg56]

Not to sound terrible but if your dd was swept away by the crowd a leash would not have helped. She would have most likely fallen and gotten trampled or caught up in it. As awful as it was for her to get swept away it was probably better that she didn't have a leash on.

I don't know about that but I do know that was one of the most terrifying things I have ever experienced.

 

[AmyBWV99]

I love the idea . . . . but for ages 6 and up i think 4 is still a bit young. Placing a wristband with your Phone number is a great idea! Just please whatever you do dont put them on A baby leash!

This never fails to give me a giggle. Such wisdom; I should've gone to this person instead of all the therapists and pediatrican for my special needs son in an effort to figure out how we were supposed to allow him to walk alone when he was unable to hold hands and keep him safe in WDW crowds........

 

[Mouse House Mama]

This never fails to give me a giggle. Such wisdom; I should've gone to this person instead of all the therapists and pediatrican for my special needs son in an effort to figure out how we were supposed to allow him to walk alone when he was unable to hold hands and keep him safe in WDW crowds........

I am going to sort of defend the person who posted about the baby leash here. I don't know their intent but I will share something that ran through my head here. Of course, you should do whatever you need to to keep your child safe. Nobody is disputing that. What ran through my mind is that there were some people talking about their 9 and 11 year olds that run off. Unless those kids are special needs with legitimate issues then sorry, the parent needs to get a little more aggressive in their teachings.
I don't use leashes and am not a fan of them, however, I don't care who uses them. They have their reasons. It is not for me to decide what others do.
As for the GPS- do I think it is a bit over the top? For me, yes. If it makes the OP feel more secure then they should use one. I am sure there are plenty of things I do that people think are over the top too. Everyone has to decide their own comfort level. That being said, whatever method you (a general you) use, I hope it doesn't lead to complacency. Those are aids that do help but don't let it give you a false sense of security.
Good luck with whatever you chose and have a great trip!

 

[princessmom29]

I am going to sort of defend the person who posted about the baby leash here. I don't know their intent but I will share something that ran through my head here. Of course, you should do whatever you need to to keep your child safe. Nobody is disputing that. What ran through my mind is that there were some people talking about their 9 and 11 year olds that run off. Unless those kids are special needs with legitimate issues then sorry, the parent needs to get a little more aggressive in their teachings.
I don't use leashes and am not a fan of them, however, I don't care who uses them. They have their reasons. It is not for me to decide what others do.
As for the GPS- do I think it is a bit over the top? For me, yes. If it makes the OP feel more secure then they should use one. I am sure there are plenty of things I do that people think are over the top too. Everyone has to decide their own comfort level. That being said, whatever method you (a general you) use, I hope it doesn't lead to complacency. Those are aids that do help but don't let it give you a false sense of security.
Good luck with whatever you chose and have a great trip!

that's the way I read that post as well. As people using a toddler leash for an older child. I had the mental image of my 6 year old at the end of a toddler leash!! Totally hilarious in my own mind!

 

[yrdlyprincess]

When we went down my DH was responsible for one and me for the other --Period--it wasn't DH could walk away or whatever (like he does in the grocery store) I also got both of my children necklaces with their name and on the other side my name & c/phone # DH's too. I think that I will also put in there pocket each morning a paper with all that info...but same goes for this trip that went for last trip--peas in a pod--an adult is NEVER alone--they must always have a child with them. THIS IS JUST FOR MY FAMILY AND MAY NOT WORK FOR OTHER FAMILIES--JUST WHAT WE DO.