name or not on tshirt?

[bohanarrow]

I am wanting to make tshirts for our family when we go on our trip and have seen some of the custom ones at the disney store. (with names on them) on one hand, i would like to have my sons names on the shirts in case they get lost, but on the other hand isn't it bad to do that? (stranger danger)

thanks for your input!

 

[Ashlander]

Personally I would not put my children's names on their shirts. My kids are young and I think if a stranger knew their name they would be more likely to trust them. Of course on the other hand if someone really wanted to know your children's names then they could probably just overhear you saying it.

I did see names on shirts as part of a costume for the Halloween party and thought it was super cute!

 

[HGD24]

I would not be comfortable putting our DD's first name on anything (clothes, backpack, etc) visible to the public.

Years ago we bought a backpack for my nephew who was 5 at the time and we were contemplating putting his initials or name on it when the person at the embroiderary (sp?) counter mentioned that the they strongly discourage people from putting first names on items since a child may not realize that a stranger calling them by their name knows their name from the clothing or other item they might be wearing. DH and I weren't parents yet and hadn't thought about it from that perspective, but we were happy the store did and now we follow that advice with our own DD.

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

I just purchased my children some custom shirts and the lady asked if I wanted names or not and I told her no. It worries me that someone could come up to my child and say Hey Alyssa, your mommy is my friend and told me it's ok for you to come with me. She wouldn't put 2 and 2 together that they just read her name off her shirt. I may be an over-protective mother and that may never even happen, but it's a thought in my mind that it could.

 

[wrighter]

I totally agree with the PPs - we never personalize our children's clothing, backpacks, or anything else with their full names. Occasionally we'll do their initials, but we try to keep them as anonymous as possible. I know it may sound a little "over the top" to some people, but why give a predator anything that will help in his/her quest?

There are many threads on this board about ways to ID your children if they get lost. Stamps, stickers, bracelets, tattoes, ID cards, you name it. Maybe that would give you more peace of mind?

 

[LauralF22]

I'm glad you asked this question, because I was debating the same thing. I still haven't decided how to 'mark' my children in case they get lost - but I think I'll pass on putting their names on their shirts. You are right, they would never know that Mommy didn't tell that person to come over.

 

[cmaee]

I agree. I made up lots of T-shirts for our Disney trip, but didn't put their names on any of them. I don't like the idea of someone coming up to them and being able to know their names. I didn't do this, but on the Creative DISigns board there is a DISigner who does really neat initials with various charcters. I wouldn't mind putting their initial on a shirt. The only thing that I have personalized with their names is their school backpacks and lunch boxes. They only use them to go to school and I pick them up from school and no one else sees them besides their classmates.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Ugh, you guys are scaring me! I was all set to have all kinds of personalized tshirts made for my boys and now I'm having second thoughts.

 

[SassyCat]

You are right, they would never know that Mommy didn't tell that person to come over.

My mom used to worry about that when I was a child, so we did the entire "password" thingy. We had a password (well, it was actually a phrase, a disney phrase heh...but it was a random phrase that would be hard to guess) established between myself and my parents, and if the situation ever came up where someone other than a trusted relative needed to pick me up, I was supposed to ask them what the password was. Every once in a while she would quiz me to make sure I still knew, and she made sure I knew not to go telling anyone randomly about it. Luckily, the situation never came up though. But I plan to do this system when I have my own child.

Wrighter had some great suggestions. Perhaps you could get your children one of those lanyards with an ID holder and put a card in there that has their name, your hotel, and your cell phone number in case they get lost. And to easily identify them, maybe have them were a certain bright colored shirt or hat?

 

[CJS~MOMMY]

My mom used to worry about that when I was a child, so we did the entire "password" thingy. We had a password (well, it was actually a phrase, a disney phrase heh) established between myself and my parents, and if the situation ever came up where someone other than a trusted relative needed to pick me up, I was supposed to ask them what the password was. Every once in a while she would quiz me to make sure I still knew, and she made sure I knew not to go telling anyone randomly about it. Luckily, the situation never came up though. But I plan to do this system when I have my own child.

Wrighter had some great suggestions. Perhaps you could get your children one of those lanyards with an ID holder and put a card in there that has their name, your hotel, and your cell phone number in case they get lost. And to easily identify them, maybe have them were a certain bright colored shirt or hat?

Wow your mom came up with a great idea! I will have to remember this for when my son is able to understand this.

 

[koima]

My mom used to worry about that when I was a child, so we did the entire "password" thingy. We had a password (well, it was actually a phrase, a disney phrase heh...but it was a random phrase that would be hard to guess) established between myself and my parents, and if the situation ever came up where someone other than a trusted relative needed to pick me up, I was supposed to ask them what the password was. Every once in a while she would quiz me to make sure I still knew, and she made sure I knew not to go telling anyone randomly about it. Luckily, the situation never came up though. But I plan to do this system when I have my own child.

We did the same thing! It was our parrot's name, Wobbles. I did in fact have to use the password one time when my mom was in a car accident on the way to my school and sent her coworker to come get me. I was waiting in the principal's office and wouldn't leave with her because she didn't know the password. In the days pre-cell phone, we couldn't call my mom to check, but the principal had been called and told that the coworker was coming and insisted it was okay. I yelled at my mom for not telling her the password, but obviously she had other things on her mind!

And no, I'm not putting my kids' names on things that are visible in public.

 

[Aliceacc]

How old are your kids?

I personally will not do it with my kids; they're too young and I'm afraid.

But I would imagine that some of the Seniors from my school who returned from WDW last night probably got personalized ears and it wasn't a concern.

Of course, you could personalize them as " Her Royal Highness" or "Peoria Princess" or something cutesy.

 

[daisyduck123]

I never had any fear about putting my children's names on clothing, backpacks, etc.

If someone wanted to know my kids' names while we were in WDW, all they had to do was stand by us for 5 minutes or less & they would hear me yelling out their names!

 

[design_mom]

I don't personalize, partly because of "stranger danger." I wouldn't worry about it quite so much in WDW (because PP are right, someone who really wanted to know your kids' names could just follow you around for a minute or two), but if you're like me, you'll want your kid to wear the shirt more than once.

Also, personalized items can't be "handed down" nearly as well. I pass most of my kids' used clothes on to nieces and nephews and none of the kids seem to mind, but I'm sure "Bobby" wouldn't want to wear a shirt that said "Jimmy" across the front. And there are a few things that DD can wear after DS outgrows them (she adores his Buzz Lightyear sweatshirt!) but, again, there's no way she'd wear something with a boy's name on it!

 

[ColoradoLime]

I still haven't decided how to 'mark' my children in case they get lost

Check out www.safetytat.com

They are temporary tattoos that you can personalize with your phone number so your kids will also have it on them. I ordered them because even though my DD knows my cell number, I worry that if she's scared and in a strange place, she wouldn't be able (or willing) to recall it.

They have super cute designs for boys and girls!

 

[hopeis]

We are making tshirts but not using the kids names... we've decided to go with Mommy, Daddy, Big Sister and Little Sister. I don't even label their things for school so their names are visible to others. It's always on the inside or hidden somewhere that I'll know if I have to search for their belongings in lost and found.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

When I was in college I worked as a nanny. My roommate had heard all sorts of cute stories about the kid I sat for, but had never met them. One day she came to pick me up from work. The older kids (4 and 6 I think) were outside and I was sitting on the porch with the baby watching. The middle one's shirt said "Jessica" in big letters. My roommate leaned out the car window, figured out who she was and called "Hey Jessica". Jessica ran over, leaned in the window and my roommate asked her where I was.

Now, I just sat there and watched this because I KNEW who it was and that they were safe, but the little girl clearly didn't, and yet she ran and almost go in the car.

It made me realize that names really do make a difference. My kid did not wear names on the outside of his clothing, until he was old enough that he thought it was uncool anyway.

 

[PollyannaMom]

....It made me realize that names really do make a difference....

I agree! I'm a substitute teacher, and notice the difference even in that setting, where the kids already know I'm a safe adult to interact with. - They just pay more attention to you if you know their name.

It's not that I spend a bunch a time worying about it, but when we go to places like amusement parks, I do encourage DS to wear something bright, but not with his name on.

 

[Max1*]

I am sad to say that statistically most child abductions are by people they know not from a stranger that is why most programs have done away with the stranger danger theory and are now educating children and parents to give children the power of feeling that if it doesn't feel right then it's ok to say and listen to how they feel.

That said we also use the password system with my oldest daughter who is soon to be 7. If they don't know the password no matter who it is or what they say or how they know her name or anyone's names you cannot go every period and we have not only quizzed her on it but tested it with friends she doesn't know and she has passed. Our little one isn't even two yet and hardly knows her name if you called it and would not understand you if you told her what mommy said etc....

In general if your children are old enough to comprehend where you are going and you can explain to them that if at anytime you get separated for some reason they are not to ever walk away with a person no matter what they say to them to stay put or only talk to disney persoanl (point them out ahead of time with their pins etc...) and like a police man tell them your lost.

would i do the name thing yes I would I think in the end it's harmless if your child doesn't get afraid of you talking about this subject with them but if it scares them then no I wouldn't do it.

Hope this helps to long I know

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

We personalize at Disney (it's a little nerdy elsewhere, we've decided ). No one can pronounce my DS's name (especially by the way it's spelled) and it takes a while for people to "get" DNiece's name, so it's not an issue for us.

DS's outgrown personalized clothes get added to his quilt.

In general, if your child is old enough to understand the password system (I sometimes babysit for a kindergartener whose family uses it), it's not an issue. If they aren't, chances are they'll be strapped in a stroller or holding your hand the entire time.

If you feel comfortable and confident in doing it, go ahead. If not, there are plenty of cute non-personalized shirts at WDW and on the DISign boards.