My kid's a wanderer!

[RNCNJ1]

We're going to Disney for the first time in October. We're really looking forward to it, but I'm concerned about my 9-year old son -- he's a wanderer. It seems that no matter how much we talk about it or plan for it, he usually ends up wandering off as soon as we turn our heads. And I've heard how crowded Disney gets! Does anyone have any advice on ways to keep track of our little adventurer? Thanks.

 

[Buzz2001]

When you go to one of the parks, show them who to look for IF he was to get separated or where to go. Have him carry identification (in fannypack, necklace or in a pocket) with name, resort and any other pertinent info.

 

[DinaF]

1. Before you go, or on the plane, and then again everytime you're travelling to a park, reinforce that your rules about staying together are FOR HIS SAFETY, and decide together what the consequences will be if he wanders off, like no ice cream treat, no souvenir he wants, or no Pirates of the Caribbean that day. Or, you may reward him at the end of each day if he doesn't wander with the treat of his choice.

2. Dress him in BRIGHT, BRIGHT clothing so you can spot him just in case.

3. Try not to turn your head. Take turns hour by hour who can turn head and whose eyes have to remain glued to his bright shirt.

This is the stress of so many parents in WDW. We have been talking to our kids about it for months, but I can't say it's getting through. Think we'd get strange looks if we use a leash? Good luck!!

 

[Sleepy]

Our son is 9 years old and has ADHD and gets distracted very easily. After all these years we have just learned to either grab part of his shirt while in large crowds, have him walk in front of us within arms reach or maybe a hand on his shoulder as if guiding him, and call his name about a gazillion times......*this way____. Over here _____. * We just keep talking to him. Seems to work for us. Yes, we do stress the whole *meeting place* for if we get separated, but when we went back in 99 and he was 7 years old, we were able to keep up with him and never lost him. Good luck.

 

[BevS97]

someone else posted about those 2 way radios, they put one in each kids fanny pack, and them if they got separated they can call them and say 'where are you'

Bev

 

[swanmom]

Just like to reiterate DinaF's comment about bright clothes. My DD is NOT a wanderer but in a crowd of people all exiting the Lion King show in Animal Kingdom she got separated from us. All I could see in front of and behind me was a sea of people. I jumped up on a planter and scanned over the heads of the crowd. There was my DD in her solid color, electric orange shirt and visor !!! It only lasted about 30 seconds but.....that's a long time for your heart to stop !!

 

[stacy6552]

fisher price makes just the thing for you. i think they call it the child locator system. jcpenny sells it in their catalog. you wear one and he wears one. if they get too far apart an alarm goes off. if yours hasnt gone off but you cant see him you can push a button and make his alarm go off anf track it down. if he takes it off, yours goes off.

 

[steph73]

My 6 yr old DS is a wanderer too! I bought those strap-like things that go around his wrist and mine at Walmart. I don't care if I get "looks" using them...I will know my kid is right there and can't wander off! You might want to consider using something like that, and if he objects I would give him a chance and if he starts to get that "wandering eye" I would say that is the rule - if he wanders he has to use it. Good luck!

 

[LisaT]

I guess my son learned early. He wandered off at 5 years old and it scared him so much that he's really cautious about keeping us in sight. I would suggest the walkie talkies, and a " Im lost" plan to follow.

I am personally against the child leash practices UNLESS you are really in a situation where you need one. I have a freind who was born with cerebal palsy and can not walk well or run at all. If her child takes off and there is no other adult to help, she can not run after her child.

It's a full time job to keep an eye on your kids and even harder when either you or that child has any kind of disability.

Lisa

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Thank you soooooooo much for suggesting the child locator by Fisher Price!!! We are extremely careful parents but this adds an extra layer of security. Disney is a VERY busy place and even though you are ever on your guard all it takes is a large crowd leaving an attaction and your child could be pulled along with them. I am also going to use the suggestion of bright clothing and pack an ID card with our resort, name, etc... on it. My son already knows that if he ever gets lost he is to go to a CM immediately. My eldest (7) is also ADHD and gifted and does tend to want to wander too so we have to be hypervigilent with him. Funny story. I am so hypervigilent about where he is at all times that I paniced when I didnt see him....Ummmm he was in the Disney stroller and I had put him there two minutes before!!! I plan on buying two of the locators and having both boys wear them not only at Disney but whenever we go out. No matter how hypervigilent a person is....it only takes a second.

 

[crazykat]

My boys are both wanderers, so when I read about the Fisher Price Child locator, I immediately started searching the internet for it. The suggested retail price is $60, but I found them on Amazon.com for $19.99! A small price to pay for some extra security when those eyes in the back of your head just aren't enough!

 

[LKS]

We find dressing our three kids in matching t-shirts really helps. We get lots of comments from other parents about what a good idea this is. I guess to take this to the extreme, the adults could wear the same shirt too, but we haven't gone that far yet. Lands End offers a good variety of stripes, etc... in sizes from infant to big kid. We have done this at Disney, Sea World and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.