Kids' names on gear/decorations? Yea or nay?

[Princesca]

ETA: Thanks for all the feedback! I decided to go with my gut and not use names.

So I've been thinking about tees and decorations for our Disney trip, and I've heard a good rule for normal, everyday life is that you don't put your kid's name on things because you don't want strangers to be able to approach them and act like they know them and lure them into ick.

But I know a lot of people at Disney and on DCL do use kids' names for apparel and decor.

So do you? Why or why not? I definitely err on the side of being too cautious most of the time...

 

[BrianL]

I mean, at Disney it's not something I would worry about too much. It's generally a very safe place to be. Just make sure your kids know that a stranger is still a stranger, even if they know their name. We used to use the code word system back in the day - but, you know, we didn't have phones and such either. It was never actually used in practice, though I do still remember the word. I can't tell you though for safety reasons.

 

[tvguy]

No, we don't. Just not our thing. We don't decorate our door on Disney Cruise Line either. Just too busy enjoying our vacation to bother I guess. No other reason I can think of.

 

[Smugpugmug]

My mom used that rule of thumb for my sister and I when we were kids: we didn't have our names on anything such as backpacks.

At Disney, you wouldn't be out of place if you had shirts like that since a lot of other people do it. Personally I wouldn't do it. You can wear Disney themed shirts without your kids' names on it.

 

[barkley]

on the tee's (or anything else)-will they ever wear or use them after the trip? if so and your practice in day to day life is not to have them publicize their names then it seems like a waste of money on an item to have to throw it away after a very short usage.

 

[Disneylover99]

No. I would not do this.
What is the point? Do you want people to know their names?

 

[_19disnA]

Even if you think it is OK to wear @ Disney, do you want to spend the money for something they won't wear anywhere else? I personally wouldn't put their names on any item of clothing as I can't see what purpose it would serve whether you are vacationing @ Disney or anywhere else.

 

[Lumpy1106]

That gets a no from me. not to scare you, but child predators go where they will find kids. Disney is no safer than anywhere else. I would prefer they did not know my kids' names.

 

[Mle8308]

I agree on not putting a full name. Maybe an initial?

 

[BrianL]

That gets a no from me. not to scare you, but child predators go where they will find kids. Disney is no safer than anywhere else. I would prefer they did not know my kids' names.

Well, not to say that Disney is 100% safe, but it is significantly safer than many places due to security, crowds, and cost of entry. It's not somewhere that is easy to waltz into and then disappear from just as quickly. It's certainly not impossible, but it's a place where I would generally feel more safe and secure.

 

[Minnesota!]

I rarely did...not for security or the like, but since I got rid of their clothes as soon as they were done, I figure whomever had them next probably wouldn't want some random name on their clothing.

 

[Princesca]

Thanks for weighing in! I think I've decided to just refrain from using names, since I was kinda leaning that direction anyway.

 

[Boopuff]

Our school puts out a flyer about not putting kids names (visibly) on backpacks etc. Stranger danger and all that.

 

[slo]

I never ever ever did with my kids items that they would use when I wasn’t with - like a backpack, their bike and things like that - I was adamant about it.

Going to WDW where my DH and I would be with them I’d be ok with. If they would be old enough to be alone sometimes then I definitely would not (I’m talking about middle school and younger).

I felt so so strongly about it, especially with my older DD who was to trusting and would have gone with anyone.

ETA….I have friends that had their kids names on everything and nothing ever happened to them. In the end… everyone has to do what makes them most comfortable.