Kids and name tags??

[plutosgirl]

I know I've read in a few different places about if you get a pin/nametag made up with your child's name on it (or a personalized shirt etc) that the characters and Disney employees are more likely to call them up to do things or will address them by their names.

This all sounds like a lot of fun but in the back of my mind I'm leary of putting my kids names on them...yes, they've been told the whole good stranger/bad stranger thing (they are 5 & 7) but in school (we are in a rural area) they stress NOT having names visable on backpacks, sweatshirts etc as a safety precaution.

So, I'm just curious on what other have done or what they think about this. Am I being overly paranoid and it's something I shouldn't worry about at WDW and they will have a great time with a character calling them by name? Do a lot of families do this or am I better off not doing it? I don't want to start a debate or argument but am looking for opinions. What does everyone think.

Thanks

Christie

 

[Pirate Mickey]

I am one of those who doesn't like to have my kids names visible for safety reasons.

I also want to them to have some ID on them in case of emergency. My DW makes up dog tags (yes, actual pet tags) that the kids wear. The older ones have theirs on a chain and the younger one keeps hers on her shoe string. I think she made the tags with our name, our cell phone number and the resort we are staying at. It would allow a CM to contact us if one of them got lost.

Hope this helps.

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

before i took my youngest son to disneyworld he came up with a great idea. He said he wanted all of his shirts to be bright orange. He said he was sure I would never loss him if he always wore bright orange shirts. So off we went to the stores in pursuit of bright orange shirts for him to pack in his suitcase.
to this day he still talks about his orange shirts and that first trip he took to disney.

The name tags suggested above couldn't hurt either.

 

[wwithers]

We plan to instruct our 4 yo that if she cant find us go up to someone with a Disney nametag and tell them she is lost. Also we plan on writing our cell phone numbers in permenant marker on the inside of her upper arm so she can show the CM her Mommy and Daddy's cell phone numbers.

We thought about getting necklaces or something but were afraid that they would be lost.

I too would be hesitant about name tags because if she DOES get lost, I would be concerned about a stranger acting like they know her and her trusting them because the stranger knows her name.

 

[MelessaG]

I was tempted to get the name tags for my kids, but have decided to go with mouse ears instead. My older two will be almost 7 and 4 when we go and it just seems too risky to me. I know the ears will have their names too, but if I know my kids, they won't keep them on all day.

 

[HollyJoy]

I was so excited about getting them their own nametag so that the characters would say their name, but now I'm not thinking it's a good idea. Didn't even think about it being unsafe! Glad this thread was posted!!

 

[Sandi]

I'm with the others and don't have my DD's name on her clothing. What we do is get a shoe pocket -- it's a velco pocket that runners put on their shoe, through the laces, to hold ID, etc. I always used them when I was in college and ran. I now use it for my DD. On an index card, I write my name and cell number, and our resort name. We've been doing this since she started walking -- she is not embarrassed by it and will wear it even at 9.

I've also seen recommendations to write your name and cell number on a piece of masking tape and tape it to the inside of your child's shirt. That seemed like a good idea, too.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

You are not being paranoid...I got them for my three kids and really think they are cute for a previous trip. But after getting them, I became more aware of the not a good idea for strangers to call your kids by their first names issue and I now have mixed emotions, too. I'm not sure I'll use them. You know, you want to let your guard down because it's Disney, but it's still the real world, too....

Sorry - No real advice here, just wanted to post and say I share your reservations.

 

[pintrader]

I can see that my opinion is a minority but I feel I speak from experience. There is nothing so frustrating as having a child bawling their eyes out for their monmmy or daddy and we can't even get their name out of them, much less their parents. We don't know their name is sewn in their undies, tattooed on their bottom or permanent ink marked under their arm. We wouldn't be allowed to look even if we thought is might be. I see children with names on all day every day and not once have I ever seen a situation that looked like trouble.

It is a family environment and if your child becomes lost the person who finds him/her is likely a parent, too. I firmly believe that a name is a good thing. Nothing comforts a child like hearing their own name. It is a panicky feeling when all you can see is knees and butts and no one know who you are.

Consider your surroundings. This is a family environment where everone around you either IS or HAS BEEN a parent at some time. Your little one should be able to trust someone. I have been an off-duty cast member many times so I am without my name badge. It is difficult to assist when they are told to look for someone with a badge and they know if they talk to me they are not following their parent's instructions. There are more people there that can help with the little bit of assistance a name permits.

Just last week I had parents screaming "CHAD!" "CHAD!" and I was able to say, he just went that way because Chad had on a ****e with his name on it. We were at the castle hub and they had no idea which way to turn, Chad in the meantime was halfway up the castle ramp.

Hope this puts another spin on some fears.

 

[Atotty]

OK, I'll admit it...I am an overprotective mom. But I think it depends on your kids ages. My 11 year old...no problem...she loves the extra interaction and knows all the safety issues involved. She instructs her younger sisters about stranger issues often. (We've talked a lot about it recently because of the horrible event in Sarasota.) My 3 yr old...no way..it could be just the lure someone needed for her.

We all dress in the same kind of bright colored t-shirt each day so we're easy to see at all times and people can tell we're together. Last year they each had a fanny pouch with ID info and knew to give it to a CM if they were lost. This year, I'm getting dog tags...There's a machine at Walmart that makes them. So they can just wear it around their necks. I don't think anyone would be able to get any info out of my 7 yr old if she got separated from us. I'm planning on putting name/our cell phone numbers/ hotel info/ and gparents phone number at home. I may have to write some of this on the back because I'm not sure how many lines you get to print.

I also saw on another post to take a digital picture of your kids each morning....that way you have the most current photo with exactly what they're wearing.

 

[KPmom]

I was told that name tags make you more likely to be picked for special or magical moments. I didnt want to put my daughters name on her, so I made name tags that say 1st timer, mickey's gal and Princess. (I made them out of the mickey paint cards from home depot) On the back I printed her name and allergies and I am getting them laminated and attaching a pin to the back. Just because you dont want to advertise your childs name is no reason to miss out on the fun of a name tag! ~KPmom

 

[fmed845]

I don't remember where I read or heard this suggestion but here goes. If your little one gets seperated from you tell them to find a cast member and tell the cast member that their parents are lost and can't find them. I think it would help the little ones from getting as upset or panicky. Hope this helps.