Names on children's t shirts?

[Realfoodfans]

I'm planning on making/purchasing family t shirts for our trip to WDW in October - would you or would you not add the grandchildren's names on or just "big brother" "little sister" option ?

I don't want to ask my DD and DSIL as I want them to be a surprise.

Thank you for your opinions

 

[xjillianpaige]

I would avoid using names on t-shirts. When I was a kid, I wanted an LL Bean backpack with my name, but my mom insisted on my initials so that no one could use my name to get my attention, particularly adults I didn't know who had bad intentions. I just think "big sister" and "little brother" or whatever variation of that you use is safer.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think names are fine. I know that others feel differently, but I always taught my children how and when it was okay to respond to anyone.

 

[DisneyLover1217]

I think putting their names on the shirts are fine. People can easily learn their names just by hearing you call them. Last names are a different story, but first names, again, not a big deal since anyone can overhear what their names are anyway.

 

[Meriweather]

I put DGD's name on a shirt for WDW. It was fine.

 

[wenrob]

I would avoid using names on t-shirts. When I was a kid, I wanted an LL Bean backpack with my name, but my mom insisted on my initials so that no one could use my name to get my attention, particularly adults I didn't know who had bad intentions. I just think "big sister" and "little brother" or whatever variation of that you use is safer.

This. At least if they're fairly young. My DH would not allow the kids to get their names on their ears until the end of our last day when they were little. Overly cautious maybe but it's better to be safe than sorry IMO.

 

[luvsJack]

I never let dd wear shirts or whatever with her name on them if she was going to, say, a field trip with school, a big birthday party that we wouldn't be at that took place at the skating rink or bowling alley, anywhere she was in a big group of kids that weren't 100% eyes on, supervised. But at WDW, it was different. We were with her every second. If someone called her name, we would all turn toward it. So I never felt there was danger.

So I guess my answer is it depends, if the parents will be with the kids 100% of the time and everything is done as a family, shouldn't be a problem.

 

[SgtTibbs]

I guess you could put the wrong names on shirts and then teach the kids to shout out "Stranger Danger!!!" Anytime someone uses that name because clearly bad people are everywhere. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Realfoodfans]

This. At least if they're fairly young. My DH would not allow the kids to get their names on their ears until the end of our last day when they were little. Overly cautious maybe but it's better to be safe than sorry IMO.

I think that's how I feel - littlest is only 3 so would not understand stranger danger sadly. She has her name on her ballet class hoodie but of course with mummy at that time.

 

[Realfoodfans]

I guess you could put the wrong names on shirts and then teach the kids to shout out "Stranger Danger!!!" Anytime someone uses that name because clearly bad people are everywhere. Better safe than sorry.

Think I'm going to opt for no name - sad but necessary caution.

 

[wenrob]

I guess you could put the wrong names on shirts and then teach the kids to shout out "Stranger Danger!!!" Anytime someone uses that name because clearly bad people are everywhere. Better safe than sorry.

You know as hard as we try we cannot be 100% as diligent as we like. Kids get accidentally separated from their parents all the time *everywhere* even when their parent is the perfect that would never happen to me DISer parent. Being in the Disney bubble doesn't stop that from happening. It would take two seconds of inattention and the kid stopping when they hear their name. Is it likely? Probably not but there's nothing wrong with being cautious.

 

[SgtTibbs]

When you give up worrying about what's reasonable and give in to the fear of what's possible your world goes dark.

 

[SgtTibbs]

You know as hard as we try we cannot be 100% as diligent as we like. Kids get accidentally separated from their parents all the time *everywhere* even when their parent is the perfect that would never happen to me DISer parent. Being in the Disney bubble doesn't stop that from happening. It would take two seconds of inattention and the kid stopping when they hear their name. Is it likely? Probably not but there's nothing wrong with being cautious.

From a young age, I taught my kids if they were lost to to seek out an adult and ask for help. It helps them to understand the world and not be afraid of it. Both are now grown and taking this world by storm not afraid to venture out to new places and try new things.

 

[Tigerlulu]

Worked for a forensic child abuse interviewer and we did presentations throughout the community teaching not to put names out there on children's backpacks and such. We don't put names on things.

 

[amberpi]

Is your traveling party going to be ok with you buying matching tshirts? That's kinda a big ask for some people. I literally wouldn't have a non-dress and wouldn't do it anyway, just not something I'd do.

 

[DisneyOma]

I'd leave off the name or any tag - then you can pass the shirts on to others, or let the little one wear the bigger shirt later on, etc. Otherwise, what are you going to do with them when they outgrow them?

 

[wenrob]

From a young age, I taught my kids if they were lost to to seek out adult and ask for help. It helps them to understand the world and not be afraid of it. Both are now grown and taking this world by storm not afraid to venture out to new places and try new things.

Taking advice from child safety experts and most law enforcement is not making children afraid of the world, it's simply using caution. If it's not for you that's cool but there's nothing wrong with the OP, myself or any other parent choosing their own level of comfort when it comes to those things. I assure you my kids are not shaking in their boots hiding from the world in a corner.

 

[Cinderella94]

Not putting a name on something like a backpack is a good thing, but if we're talking about on shirts only to be worn on a Disney vacation? If a predator follows the family (any family) for probably 5 minutes, they'll learn the kids' names in that time from overhearing other family members say them, I imagine.

 

[Realfoodfans]

Is your traveling party going to be ok with you buying matching tshirts? That's kinda a big ask for some people. I literally wouldn't have a non-dress and wouldn't do it anyway, just not something I'd do.

At Disney oh yes - just for fun - if they weren't I certainly wouldn't force them to wear them!

 

[wilkeliza]

It really is a personal decision and I would hope if you know the people well enough to make personalized shirts you know them well enough to know their opinion.

With that said the statistics for stranger abudctions is very low. Kids are more likely to be abused or napped by someone they know or have at least met once or twice. Also it isn't likely to happen at a place like Disney World. There are far too many cameras and witnesses. Look into it and almost every case of amusement park kidnappings has turned out to be incredibly suspecious for parental or babysitter involvement.

Still it is really up to each parent to decide what safety measures they take with their own kids.