I'm having Panic Attacks about losing DS(5) at Magic Kingdom

[Mouse House Mama]

I agree with you. I have 2 boys, 1 of which is very calm and cautious and the other one is very impulsive and social (whom I consider "spirited"). The 4 year old is the one who is impulsive, physical, and social. I have never had a problem with losing him in public. We just set the ground rules, also known as the non-negotiables, and those kids know they are going to get heck if they break those ground rules (the ones regarding their safety). My eyes are glued to them or my hand is holding theirs. Not saying that anyone else isn't watching their kids, I just don't understand the need for a harness at the age of 5, UNLESS they have developmental delays or such.

Thank you!

 

[Astro Orbiter]

I let my daughter learn a very good lesson in WDW/MK a few years ago. She's an only child, and accustomed to having people follow her where she wants to go. So she and I were in line at Dumbo (DH was off soemwhere else). She ducked under the rope and headed off to Airel's grotto. I watched her go, called her back. She didn't hear/ignored me. It took about 20 feet for her to feel 'lost'. She turned around, couldn't see me in the crowd, and got the look on her face that she knew she was alone... Just as she was getting up to cry/scream and I was about to duck out of line to get her, several other parents pointed her back to me. It was a good life lesson - she's still too confident that parents will follow her wherever she follows, but she remembers what it feel like lost.

Besides that, her instructions are to find someone with a job, a mom, or to stand still and yell "I'm lost!" We write our phone number on her shoe - it's silly enough for her to remember.

Deb