I'm thinking of tagging my kid??

[noryglory]

So be careful what you say about employees anywhere (in this case, CMs)...last year when my then-6-yo son had a field trip to the zoo, I asked him what to do if he got lost from his group. He knew to find a "mom with kids," and "grandma-like woman" or one of the employees of the zoo. When I quizzed him what do you say if the zoo employee says "You're lost? Well I'll drive you home." He said, "I would say THANK YOU!"

We cleared that one up right away (I hope)...

Ugh. This whole stranger thing is tricky!!

 

[usschmidt]

I'm one of those who write in sharpie on the tummy. My theory is that it can't fall off kwim. I also bought the girls lanyards w/pouches (at the ABC store next to CCI) and put all our info in there...hotel, cell phones, names, etc. But I'm also the neurotic who made dh record fingerprints before we left the hotel.

 

[toyota]

I will second the SafetyTat idea. I ordered these to use on our May DL trip (first with DD4yo). You can choose a fun picture for the tattoo. Kids love them, they look decent and won't come off unless you wash them off. Google SafetyTat.

 

[jory29]

I would rather tag my child on their shoulder, if I were going to do so with marker, just under the sleeve of their T-shirt, rather than on their belly. But I think the idea of tags strung through belt loops so they won't fall off, and maybe stuck in a back pocket so that others who don't need to see that info. won't read it, and it can be pulled out for easy view for the cast members if needed.

In our schools, they only like children's school shoes, backpacks, etc., to be ID'd with last name, and NOT first...and they prefer it being on the inside of clothing, etc. One reason being, a first name, if shown anywhere on the child, can easily be called out, "Hey, Mickey, (or whatever the kid's name is) come on over here.." It is far easier to catch the attention of a child when they are called by their first name, and not their last. If someone calls out to them, "Hey, Brown", they likely won't even turn around or notice. Mickey ears with names might be something to think about, as well. [Perhaps a few Disney pins could be pinned strategically on, so as to cover name up when in the park?]

The children should try to memorize cell phone #, Mom and Dad's first and last name, and they should know their own last name. Also, whatever hotel they are staying at. I realize this can be tricky, depending on age, but for the cell phone, or even for the names, you could sing it over and over to them, to the tune of a Disney tune, and it might make it easier.

Just whatever you do, don't choose the song IASW!! You'll never get that tune out of your head.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

we used the lanyard idea. it worked well we had his pic on it our phone number, our hotle his name...even our home phone so grandma would be able to tell some one if they couldnt get a hold of us.
I like the wall mart tag idea too.
But he was happy with his lanyard and has used it 2 times one in disney world one disneyland and now he dosent want to go with out them.. we forgot it once in hotle and he said "mommy we have to go back i forgot my necklace" lol

 

[tortugaverde]

I must have weird kids. They never leave my side. If they weren't in the stroller... they were being carried or they were on a ride right next to me. When they walked (rarely) they held someones hand. Not to mention they were constantly talking to us about something!

I never even thought about any of this stuff. Funny how different kids are.

 

[cinderella_mom]

DD6 has an ID bracelet and I always carry and up-to-date picture in my Disney bag. You can't be too careful.

 

[bethy]

I always have some sort of ID on my kids too at places like Disneyland. You really can't be too careful and it's such a minor investment of time and money to jot down your cell number and stick it on them somehow. It only takes one time for something major to go wrong.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

There's a site that makes silicone bracelets with whatever you want on them...http://sayitbands.com/

Cool ~ thanks for the link, I just ordered a band with my cell phone # on it for both of my kids! I hope they get here quick!

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm glad the link was helpful!

Another idea about finding a CM...since there are CM-like nametags sold, to make sure that a child is finding an actual CM (and I know that costumes aren't allowed on adults, but there's one super-fan who gets really really close to dressing like an Indy CM and gets away with it), have them go to a store area and talk to a CM behind a cash register.

 

[Leofoenget]

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!

I took masking tape and wrote our phone #s on them and put them someplace inconspicuious (sp??) for my 3 year old, made my older one carry around our cell too. maybe not with a sharpie on his ARM but somewhere where a CM could easlily find it to help him if he got lost.

 

[momofeva]

I have one son who has been getting lost prone, he is almost 12 so hopefully this part of his life is over. Anyway, he has been lost twice at DL, once at the State Fair, and a couple of times at a parade.

Once he left Innovations accidentally, he thought the exit was just going to another part. He was 5 at the time. Luckily, we had told him what to do and who he could talk to and who he couldn't. He went to the CM at the start of the ride and they took him to Lost Children. We talked to a CM in Innovations and they were looking for him and called security and that is when we knew he was at Lost Children. The second time he was 7 and we got separated leaving POTC, he found a security CM and they stood in one spot near the exit and we found him.

We buy tee-shirts for our kids the same color and then decorate them and the kids wear the same color shirt everyday. I let each child pick a color and then the first 5 colors I can find in the right sizes are the ones I buy. I also take a picture of them with my digital camera and will also take one with my cell phone each day, so that I can show CM's who I am looking for. My kids all know their home phone number, so I make sure that I leave the message saying ..."if you need to get a hold of me call my cell at ...". So if nothing else the CM can call my home and get my cell number. My kids know that the cell number is in the message.

Have a meeting place in every land, something easy to see and get to for your children. We also tell our kids CM's at food carts and cash registers will help them. This keeps them from just looking for a name tag.

Above all do everything that will make you feel safe. As a parent you cannot have fun unless you know your children are as safe as possible. Don't worry what others think, you and you spouse are the ones responsible for your children. I always say over safe is better then lost kid, having been there I tend to go overboard.

 

[princessnicchia]

Another poster said their kids never leave their sides. Mine are the same, one is being carried and the other has her hand on my hand. They are the type of kids who stay very close.

Yet when we were at DL, I took my hand off my daughter's hand for a quick second to do something and in just a tiny second she grabbed another adults hand. That person just smiled and said hello there, and she quickly realized it wasn't mommy and we were okay. BUT, what if it had been someone who just took off with her. In the time it takes to blow your nose, your kid can dissapear, no matter how much you think it can't happen.

That's why I got the Safety Tats, at least it was one thing I could do. And we did it with the last name, that was a good suggestion from a previous poster.

Really, just better safe than sorry. You never can be too careful. (Other than not going at all, which would be safer but no fun).

 

[jemilah]

I always told my boys to look for a CM or at least another mom with kids if they were lost, I always hoped another mom would pitch in to help......I certainly would.

 

[bonita_babe232]

I find any family with kids help out... Last time we were there was alittle boy who got lost by Buzz and there was about 10 familys there with him trying to find his family! Thats what i love about disneyland theres so many familys and usually everyone would understand how it feels to have a lost child so they worry like it was there own!

 

[RaeRae's Mommy]

Thanks everyone I just ordered the Custom Silicone Wristbands http://www.shanrene.com/custom-wristband-tool.php
The Youth size is to big for her wrist but will work great on her ankle. And it's just fine with me as that way she can not take it off as easy.
I think I take a photo of her every morning too.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

We also used the SafetyTats when we went (and on trips to the zoo, etc)... we love them! They can't fall off (or be taken off like DD loves to do with her shoes) and make me feel better. DD is only 14 months right now, so obviously not running off without us yet, but you just never know.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

Another idea about finding a CM...since there are CM-like nametags sold, to make sure that a child is finding an actual CM (and I know that costumes aren't allowed on adults, but there's one super-fan who gets really really close to dressing like an Indy CM and gets away with it), have them go to a store area and talk to a CM behind a cash register.

That's pretty weird!

 

[grumpyvet]

Sadly, I don't know where you would get them, but we use them in our Veterinary clinic to label our patients, so I brought one for each day, and wrote cell numbers on it with a sharpie. My DD refused to where hers to bed, so we needed a new one each day. Worked well...at least,never fell off!

Thankfully we never had to use it!

 

[bumbershoot]

wanted to clarify my post:


"talk to a CM behind a cash register"

means

"talk to a CM who is standing behind a cash register".

Not to talk behind a cash register.