I'm thinking of tagging my kid??

[SeansMom]

Not to hijack the thread, but we taught our kids that if someone tried to take them they were to yell, "You're not my Mom" or "You're not my Dad". After all, how many times have you seen parents with fussing and/or screaming kids and not thought much of it? This way, if your child is snatched, people are much more likely to react.

We went with the dog tag (military style) and the boys loved to wear them. Here is one site for them: http://www.dogtagsonline.com/

 

[SandrA9810]

Don't hide your phone number. Kids get terrified when they get seperated and everything shuts down. They forget that they have the phone number. But as for cast members, if we find your child on stage, we can not call you. They would be taken to the baby care center where they would reach you. But most kids (like 90%) are found within 15 minutes and are kept in the area for at least 15 minutes before being taken to baby care. The sad thing is, it's usually the older children that get taken there because the parents think they can take care of themselves and don't go into panic mode as fast.

The most important thing you can tell your kids is stay in the same spot that we were last together, because you as a parent are going to retrace your steps. And if you both retrace your steps back, you'll end up together.

 

[SandrA9810]

BTW, not one child has even gotten taken from disney. There are way too many families there and too many CMs watching. The one thing that you do want to watch out for are the perv that like to take pictures. Especially when your at an open character location and any one can come up from the sides.

Just remember to give yourself 5minutes before you are allowed to freak out. Because if your running up and down the street your kid isn't going to see you. but if you walk kinda in a circle and just make that circle bigger each time, slowly, they'll more likely see you.

 

[teacups]

My girlfriend does the exact same thing, Sharpie on the tummy.

You can't be too careful. Do what you think is right, don't listen to anyone else.

ITA!

 

[DevilDuckie]

Ok here's the deal. I reading how people are putting leashing on there kids and I can total understand. The idea that they can be gone in a blink of an eye scares the HELL out of me. My DD3 is every good at staying with us but it still worries me that she can get separated from us. Large crowds and all. So I thought I would use a marker to write are cell phone number on her arm.
I've also thought I would take a photo of her in every outfit she will be wearing on are trip and have copies with us.
Is this to much? Come on let me have it!

A photo in every outfit is probably overkill, but if it makes you feel better, go ahead and do it. I think I'd settle for one good shot but if you're taking a camera you're probably taking photos daily anyway.

I am strongly opposed to walkinga human being on a leash. That said, giving the kid a tag to hook to a belt loop or a shoe is a good idea for kids too young to memorize mommy's cell number. (Singing it to a tune is a good teaching method, btw. My kid could sing my cell number at the age of 4. He couldn't do it *without* singing, but it worked.)

Tags and bracelets are all very well and good but I always preferred to rely on something that couldn't get lost for a back up plan.

 

[jenjersnap]

I dress my boys in the same shirts each day, often bright tie dyes. That way I can scan the crowd and know where they are and also have examples (the other boys) to show a CM if one got lost.

They also wear id bracelets. My middle DS wears a medical alert version so I just ordered extras for the other two.

We lost DS#2 when he was three in the pitch dark of World Showcase at Epcot. I let go of his hand and - literally - turned around to get our stroller, he got disoriented and wandered away. It was very scary. Luckily, he remembered the rule about finding a mom or grandma, the CM who found him had that appearance and he instantly told her, "Will you find my mommy, please?"

 

[princessnicchia]

On our most recent trip to DL (March 2008) my MIL found a boy lost on the Pirate's Lair---and he was about 8 (I'm guessing) and he was very very scared. She took him to a CM, and I'm sure they found his parents, but I think that parents of older kids (older to me because my oldest is 5, not that 8 is exactly ancient) DO think their kids can take care of themselves. Anyhow, that little boy was not a happy camper! Lucky for him my wonderful MIL found him.

Also, one of my best freinds lost a daughter at DL (she wandered off) and he said the CMs were really wonderful about searching for him and reassuring him that, as a prior poster noted, no child has ever dissappeared at DL. And they found her, but it took nearly a half an hour, which was of course terrifying. That half an hour would have given me a heart attack!