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

[Mouse House Mama]

I wouldn't stress about it. At 5 he is old enough for you to be having the talk with him about running away. In fact, I would imagine that you would have that talk with him anyway if you take him anywhere at home. Does your child wander off when you take him to the store at home? If so then I think you need to set some strict ground rules in place and also a plan in case he does get lost. At 5 he is more than capable of knowing that he must stay by your side. Sure, kids get distracted but that is why you need to have a plan in place in the event that happens. I wouldn't stress about it though. You'll be fine.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Have you ever gone through this?

Me, DH, DD16 and DS5 will be at MK next Saturday. The closer it gets I feel anxiety over losing him in a large crowd.

Now, let me say I don't normally worry like this but I picture MK being a huge place (this our first trip) and I can't help but feel worry because DS is a "spirited child" and will take off in a minute.

I know ME when it comes to DS, (he's my only biological child, DD is my stepdaughter but I love her like she's my own, don't get me wrong!) but when we were at Six Flags over GA, I never took my eyes off him for one second even though DH said he was watching him like a hawk as well.

So I can imagine what I'll be like at MK.

Did you go through this at Disney World park?

Set ground rules now. Come up with consequences that you are willing to enforce if he runs off.

I take my students (kindergarten) all over NYC. We use public transportation (subway and buses) for most of our trips. Even the most "spirited" kids (and their parents) know that if they run off, they will have tough consequences to deal with.

LOL! I invested in a harness just for that reason! He is 2 (but about the size if a 4yo) and WILL NOT hold our hands. I figure with a harness, he can run and we still have a hold on him.

A harness for a 5 year old???

 

[DISNEYNV]

I would explain to him how important it will be to stay where HE can see you at all times when in Disney. You could roll play what to do if he gets lost before your trip! I would make sure he knows who to find if he does get seperated from you there... A CM with a badge or another mommy with kids. I would get one of the tattoos or bracelets with your cell number on it just in case. Five is kind of old for a harness but you have to do what you feel comfortable with. It's your kid and you want him to be safe I would look into the transmitters too. I was thinking about getting these for DS who is a runner... But he is only 1.5! Why doesn't Disney rent the transmitters? They could make a lot of money on that one I would rent that in a heartbeat. Good luck and I am sure he will be fine on your trip with a little prep work first

 

[Merriwind]

I wouldn't stress about it. At 5 he is old enough for you to be having the talk with him about running away. In fact, I would imagine that you would have that talk with him anyway if you take him anywhere at home. Does your child wander off when you take him to the store at home? If so then I think you need to set some strict ground rules in place and also a plan in case he does get lost. At 5 he is more than capable of knowing that he must stay by your side. Sure, kids get distracted but that is why you need to have a plan in place in the event that happens. I wouldn't stress about it though. You'll be fine.

Set ground rules now. Come up with consequences that you are willing to enforce if he runs off.

I agree. At 5, your son is not just old enough for a "what to do if you get lost" talk. He is old enough to talk about why he must not run off and what the consequences will be if he does. Get him playing on your team Mom. You'll worry less and enjoy your day more.

 

[Flapuit]

OP, don't worry too much, Disney is a rather safe place. While some kids might run off, they don't disappear.
When you're with 3 people to watch the child, all should be well. Maybe you could start some game, something that keeps the child in the stroller?
Have you though about a leash? Not a dog leash of course, but one of those cute ones, with an animal-backpack? That way, they can walk a little further than just next to your leg, but you still know where they are. (won't work too well after fireworks though or when it is very crowded)

Good luck, and don't worry too much!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

OP, don't worry too much, Disney is a rather safe place. While some kids might run off, they don't disappear.
When you're with 3 people to watch the child, all should be well. Maybe you could start some game, something that keeps the child in the stroller?
Have you though about a leash? Not a dog leash of course, but one of those cute ones, with an animal-backpack? That way, they can walk a little further than just next to your leg, but you still know where they are. (won't work too well after fireworks though or when it is very crowded)

Good luck, and don't worry too much!!

A leash on a 5 year old?

 

[disneyjunkie]

Have you though about a leash? Not a dog leash of course, but one of those cute ones, with an animal-backpack? That way, they can walk a little further than just next to your leg, but you still know where they are.

The OP's child is 5 years old.

 

[wrighter]

The first time we went my DS was almost 4. I made sure he had my cell phone number on him as well as my husband's. (We made him these cool little bracelets with number beads from the craft store.) We made sure he knew what they were. Then we also went over "the plan" over and over and over and over and over again in the weeks leading up to the trip. Every day during breakfast, lunch and dinner we went over it. It's a short plan, but that way he can remember it:

Me: "What do you do if you realize you're lost?"
Him: "Sit down."
Me: "Then what?"
Him: "Look for a mommy with a stroller."
Me: "What do you say to her?"
Him: "I'm lost. Can you help me?"
Me: "And then?"
Him: "Then I show her my bracelets."

Obviously if he's lost we want him to sit down and not move because it will be easier for us to retrace our steps and find him that way. We tell him to look for a "mommy with a stroller" for a few reasons. 1.) He doesn't wander off looking for a CM or somebody else. 2.) Most mommies will sypathize with him and want to help. 3.) If we use other mommies as a source of help, "the plan" might carry over to other places with large crowds. Telling him to look for someone with a nametag might work great in WDW, but not so much at the county fair.

Talk to your son and make sure he knows what to do. It will help ease your worrying if there is a plan. Good luck! I'm sure you'll be fine!

 

[flying_babyb]

Its scary thinking of loosing a child. ITs also scary when your 19 and your lost at disney with no clue where your family is. Just coach your son on what to do.

 

[disneyjunkie]

ITs also scary when your 19 and your lost at disney with no clue where your family is.

 

[maxiesmom]

Tell him if he runs off and gets lost he will spend the rest of the trip in a stroller. Lots of older kids use strollers at Disney, so he will not stick out. but the threat may make him think twice.

 

[bumbershoot]

People, people, she has already said that "DS is a "spirited child" and will take off in a minute."

Obviously whatever they've been doing hasn't worked if he's still prone to taking off.

Therefore, YES a harness for a 5 year old, if he's continuing to prove that he can't stick with them.

 

[disneyjunkie]

People, people, she has already said that "DS is a "spirited child" and will take off in a minute."

Obviously whatever they've been doing hasn't worked if he's still prone to taking off.

Therefore, YES a harness for a 5 year old, if he's continuing to prove that he can't stick with them.

How do you know the child will keep the harness on?

If you can’t keep a 5-year old from running off, how do you get him to stay in a harness?

I figure any kid that is able to dress themselves will have no trouble getting a harness off.

 

[okeydokey]

Set ground rules now. Come up with consequences that you are willing to enforce if he runs off.
:

Exactly, I agree.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

How do you know the child will keep the harness on?

If you can’t keep a 5-year old from running off, how do you get him to stay in a harness?

I figure any kid that is able to dress themselves will have no trouble getting a harness off.

Exactly! Maybe it is time to reign his spirited behind in. (no pun intended) Set the rules. The end. Follow through if they are not followed. At 5 he should be able to understand.

 

[Leajess99]

The OP's child is 5 years old.

And your point is?? Seriously, as a parent to MY child I will do anything to keep them safe and while Disney is considered safe it does NOT stop predators or accidents from happening. As a mother of a "spirited" child I gave my dd her choice in October and she chose her monkey backpack harness. She was very happy wearing it because she NEVER became separated from us. My daughter has wandered off on a couple of occasions and that is something I will never forget nor will I cause her to be that scared again if I can. What is the difference between a 5 year old riding in a stroller and a 5 year old wearing a harness??
I will give my daughter her choice on what she wants to do this trip as well as I know her feelings about becoming separated from us as we have the experience in that locally. The first time it happened she was at the store her grandma worked at but that made it no less scary for her. I did know my child was not leaving that store but again it is a feeling you don't want to feel.

 

[disneyjunkie]

What is the difference between a 5 year old riding in a stroller and a 5 year old wearing a harness??

No difference, I feel the same away about both items.

I think the average 5 year olds (even the spirited ones)are able to understand why it's important to stay with their parents. They are also able to understand the consequences of refusing to follow the rules.

What makes you think a child who will not listen when Mom and Dad says stay put, will keep a harness on?

If they won't listen to "Stay with us.", why will they listen to "Keep this on"?

 

[Leajess99]

No difference, I feel the same away about both items.

I think the average 5 year olds (even the spirited ones)are able to understand why it's important to stay with their parents. They are also able to understand the consequences of refusing to follow the rules.

What makes you think a child who will not listen when Mom and Dad says stay put, will keep a harness on?

If they won't listen to "Stay with us.", why will they listen to "Keep this on"?

Just curious but do you have children??

The average 5 year olds are still little kids that can be easily distracted with some more so than others. And a child that wanders or is distracted is not necessarily "not listening to mom and dad". There are a lot of cool things to see at Disney and it is a big distraction. I saw many families at Disney with children of various ages and sizes in the harnesses and I doubt anyone was using it as a punishment but more as a safety measure. I never had an issue with my child wanting to take hers off and I never had to threaten, yell, get physical or anything else with her. She felt more secure with it on as well. She has a say in it how we can keep her safe and from wandering away.

 

[tassma]

I have an independent 5 year old. Even if he doesn't mean to, he (like me) can get distracted at Disney. On our last trip we ALL wore matching tshirts. For some reason it makes it easier to spot your group when you are all wearing the same color? We also had a hand holding rule at critical junctures and talked about CMs. Of course, the labels/tatoos gave me some relief, but the t-shirts help them locate you instantly.

It will be fine and have a great trip!

 

[mrstxcop]

Just curious but do you have children??

The average 5 year olds are still little kids that can be easily distracted with some more so than others. And a child that wanders or is distracted is not necessarily "not listening to mom and dad". There are a lot of cool things to see at Disney and it is a big distraction. I saw many families at Disney with children of various ages and sizes in the harnesses and I doubt anyone was using it as a punishment but more as a safety measure. I never had an issue with my child wanting to take hers off and I never had to threaten, yell, get physical or anything else with her. She felt more secure with it on as well. She has a say in it how we can keep her safe and from wandering away.

i completely agree with you --- imo 5yr olds are still very young and you are right, they are very easily distracted --- considering that a child can be lost in a matter of seconds i would think any parent would want to do all they could to keep their young child close and safe ---

what if they putting a stuffed animal back on a shelf and they turn around and cannot see mom and dad --- what if they are walking out of the bathroom just a step behind mom or dad and stop to get a quick drink and they lose mom or dad --- what if they stoop down to pick up a cool looking rock and they stand up to not see mom or dad --- these are all things that can happen very quickly and it's not the childs fault or the parents fault...these are just things that happen...