Labeling your kids

[Crystal824]

We use Safety Tats. They work great. They do come off after a few days, but you get many tatoos in the pack. One pack has lasted us several trips for two kids. I always put them on their arms under their sleeves and taught them to show it to a CM or mom if they couldn't find a CM if they got lost. We have never had an issue. We watch them, but you just never know.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

with what ever method you use remember to take a pic on your phone of child each day so you pull up if needed. this way you can easily show what child is wearing that day

My mother used to dress my sister and I exactly the same as each other.

She figured if one of us got lost, she could say, "She looks exactly like this, just a year older/younger." Taking a picture with a cell wasn't an option since this was 45 years ago.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I can't speak for others, but DW and I go with the old fashioned holding your child's hand and/or keeping an eye on them at all times.

It's great how perfect you are, but my kid's fast and it only takes her a second to run.

 

[Klayfish]

Never mind...

 

[NCDisneyMom]

We used the dog tags on the shoes when my kids were little. Ironically, this past trip was the first time one of us got "lost", and it was my 12-year-old (who happens to look about 16 since she's already 5 inches taller than me). The three of us (my son, my daughter, and I) were all leaving the Launch Bay area and she somehow got cut off from us. I was already out in the courtyard when I got a text saying "Where are you?". lol We went right back in and found her.

She commented that she remembered, from all those trips when she was younger, when we'd say "Stay in the same area where you got separated, and find a close CM". She didn't think she needed to find a CM (since she had her phone), but she remembered to stay in that spot. But the funny part, to me, is that she knows WDW like the back of her hand. She could have made her way out of the park, and back to our room, without issue. But the lessons stuck.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

When they were old enough to know, as soon as we walked in the park we would point out what employees looked like and tell them if they got lost that's who they go to. My kids have memorized my cell phone number since they were around 6-7 and I've had the same number for over ten years.

We went when DS was 3 and we just watched him like a hawk. This was 13 years ago before I was on the DIS. I was a young mom. Never thought about writing our number anywhere. And my DS was a runner. He could GO and outrun most adults. And the energy....... that's why we rarely did amusement parks and the next time we went to WDW he was 8. DD was the complete opposite. She was my laid back kid that would just go with the flow.

 

[HollVoll]

I haven't read the above.
When our teen boys were little, we took our Dymo LetraTag and made iron on labels with name/numbers for our boys.We ironed them on the hem of their shirts and the boys knew where the info was.
With our youngest, who is non-verbal, we have used the same labels and Staples and Walmart now have some permanent stickers that you can write on and easily adhere to the clothes. However, I haven't been totally satisfied with that since I'm not certain the info would be easily found. The Magic Bands have relieved that stress.

We are about to take a family vacation (not to Disney) and this time I have bought these:
the shoeband: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SafeKidsCorner?ref=l2-shopheader-name&section_id=11545100
the mouse bracelet of course: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BushelandPeckPaper?ref=l2-shopheader-name&search_query=bracelet

 

[cdnjason]

To each his own and it's a matter of what we're comfortable with as parents.

No dispute. In fact, I sense you've interpreted a tone in my posts that simply isn't there. I thought the emoticon relayed that.

It's great how perfect you are, but my kid's fast and it only takes her a second to run.

Sorry, if a tone was interpreted that wasn't intended. It's not about portraying perfection. We're just having a discussion on here.

 

[Baklava]

We got an engraved tag (there's a little machine at Petco) with her name and my cell number. We laced it through the very bottom of her shoelace.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Duct tape? That may fall off if the kid sweats. Staple gun is sweat proof and can't be pulled off...

We've never done any of those things, we just do as cdnjason said, watch our kids. If I had to do something, I suppose the bracelet isn't a bad idea. Personally, I say whatever you do please don't subject your poor child to those leashes that they try to disguise as a backpack with an animal shape on it. Leashes are for dogs, not kids. If you need a leash to keep an eye on your kid, maybe it's not your kid that's the concern.

Wow. The judgement here is just astounding.

I came in to this thread because we're going to DLR and I am interested in ways people make sure their kids have their contact information in case the unthinkable happens. My child is 4 y/o and is non-verbal. She cannot communicate verbally or with sign language. Of course we watch her and don't "need a leash to keep an eye on [our] kid", but that doesn't mean appropriate precautions shouldn't be taken just in case the unthinkable happens and she needs that information.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

From her first trip at 4 until she was 8 and we were confident she knew cell phone numbers by heart, my daughter wore a cheap (but fashionable for a little girl) ID bracelet that I purchased at an engraving kiosk at my local mall, which had my name and cell number engraved on the inside of it.

She knew that if we were ever separated, to find a cast member and then to show them the bracelet.

It looked nice enough that whenever we went out, even going to the grocery store or mall at home, she was fine wearing it.

Thankfully we never needed it, but the peace of mind was well worth the cost of a couple of lattes at Starbucks.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I'll give you the advice from the perspective of a ex-CM that directly dealt with lost children at least once a week. The number would be hire if I counted the "on alert" situations where I was aware and looking for a lost child but was not the one to make the call from the parents or the kid.

Write your number somewhere your child will be able to get it to the CM. CMs can not lift clothing or touch the child (unless there is a medical emergency) so it needs to be something your kid can show or can hand to the CM. Tags on shoes are great because kids just point to it. Also the phone number on the wrist is a big one that was used a lot. Kid comes up crying holding out their wrist and most CMs know what is up.

The one lost child who still sticks with me is the 10 year old boy who had very low verbal skills. He came up to us very calmly (but clearly on the edge of tears) and handed me a card and pointed at it once it was in my hands. It said "Hi my name is ------. I'm lost and may not speak. Please call my mom at XXX-XXX-XXXX." He was able to answer a few yes or no questions and kept saying mom and pizza so we figured out his mom was in Italy (we were at the Italy Agent P cart) and I walked with him to Italy while using my personal cell to call his mom. Watching his mom run from Italy out to the promenade when she saw us was a moment I'll never forget. She cried telling him he did every thing right and she was so so proud of him. They were separated maybe a total of 5 minutes and it happened very quickly. His mom said they were walking to Italy and a large crowd got between them. He did exactly as he was told as we were the closest CMs. He knew where they were going next so mom went there and he told us as best he could where that was. The whole thing has stuck with me almost 4 years later. That is why you have a back up. You just never ever know if you are going to get separated. No matter how closely you watch your kids it can happen in a crowd.

Do you have a suggestion for a child who would not be able to point to where the information is? I like the dog tag on the shoe idea, but DD wouldn't be able to point a CM to it. Would CMs look there on their own? She would not (at this point anyway) be able to initiate finding a CM and giving them a card as in your story.

 

[wilkeliza]

Do you have a suggestion for a child who would not be able to point to where the information is? I like the dog tag on the shoe idea, but DD wouldn't be able to point a CM to it. Would CMs look there on their own?

If your child can't point or show something and is a known runner then I would pin something to the outside of their shirt. CMs won't actively look but maybe in baby care they do. The other option is to have a bracelet made kind of like a medical alert bracelet. The runner ID mentioned is a great option. If your daughter likes jewelry and would show it off that would be the same as the ID tag.

 

[Angel Ariel]

If your child can't point or show something and is a known runner then I would pin something to the outside of their shirt. CMs won't actively look but maybe in baby care they do. The other option is to have a bracelet made kind of like a medical alert bracelet. The runner ID mentioned is a great option. If your daughter likes jewelry and would show it off that would be the same as the ID tag.

She just started walking in December and hasn't figured out how to run yet, so I'm not overly concerned, but she is at the stage of refusing to hold hands and I just want to be prepared as best we can in case any unexpected separation by a big group of people or something happens. She's 4. I worry a bit about her not being able to initiate finding a CM and pointing them to information. She would probably wear a bracelet of some kind, but she wouldn't show it off in any way.
I don't expect it will be an issue, just trying to be prepared and I know the lack of communication makes it a bit more complicated.

 

[wilkeliza]

She just started walking in December and hasn't figured out how to run yet, so I'm not overly concerned, but she is at the stage of refusing to hold hands and I just want to be prepared as best we can in case any unexpected separation by a big group of people or something happens. She's 4. I worry a bit about her not being able to initiate finding a CM and pointing them to information.

I don't expect it will be an issue, just trying to be prepared and I know the lack of communication makes it a bit more complicated.

Whatever you decided on, I would make it bright and noticeable. Worst case if she can not communicate she'll be safe at baby care. I don't know every CM so can't speak for them all but I was always trying to pair kids to adults. If I saw a little one standing alone or even in a crowd crying it always put me on high alert. I'd grab the roll of Mickey stickers and go see what was up. Sometimes it was just a trantruming child that mom and dad walked off from and other times it was a legitimately lost kid.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Whatever you decided on, I would make it bright and noticeable. Worst case if she can not communicate she'll be safe at baby care. I don't know every CM so can't speak for them all but I was always trying to pair kids to adults. If I saw a little one standing alone or even in a crowd crying it always put me on high alert. I'd grab the roll of Mickey stickers and go see what was up. Sometimes it was just a trantruming child that mom and dad walked off from and other times it was a legitimately lost kid.

It is helpful to hear a CM perspective. 1 question on the bolded - is that where they bring children if they can't find the parents very quickly - to the baby care center? I just want to make sure I read that right. Thank you for your thoughts, I appreciate it

 

[wilkeliza]

It is helpful to hear a CM perspective. 1 question on the bolded - is that where they bring children if they can't find the parents very quickly - to the baby care center? I just want to make sure I read that right. Thank you for your thoughts, I appreciate it

Yep. Children whose parents can not be found are taken to the baby care center. When they get older they are taken to Guest Services but at 4 she will go to baby care. They may keep her at the shop or attraction or whatever for a brief period (less than 15 minutes) but if a parent is not found or contact can not be made proper procedure l is to take the child to baby care. Mostly this is because there are things to keep them occupied and it is air conditioned. Plus they have doors so easier to keep the kid from taking off again. I haven't been a CM for 2 years but I imagine if that information has changed then someone who is a current CM will correct it.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Thank you, @wilkeliza!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My son loved dog tags from about 2 years old to 8 years old and since he was our runner, that's what we bought for him. He wore it around his neck inside his shirt with no problems and loved to show it off so I knew he would show it to cast members if we got separated. Once he hit 8 years - he knew our phone number.

Our daughter never needed anything - she was really clingy. I did buy her bracelets that had my cell number and name just because she liked to wear bracelets and I figured she needed something just in case.

 

[RedWhiteandBlugold]

I like the dog tag idea, but not sure my kids will be wearing shoes with laces on them most days. I'm also not convinced that if they wear it as a necklace they will keep them on. Any ideas for other places to put them?