Names or Initials on Kids Backpacks?

[luvalwaysMandy]

I plan on getting each kid their own backpack. To carry their stuff and little things to keep them entertained or things they want to purchase that are on the smaller side.

Would you put first names or just initials on the backpacks?

I would kinda rather have first names but not sure that its safe...

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I was a little nervous about the first name on the backpack thing so I went with initials for DS.

 

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

First names are not safe, especially for smaller children. If a predator is around, he can use knowledge of their first name as "bait", luring the child into a false sense of security that he really isn't a stranger. Unfortunately there are some very sick people in the world that we live in. Just my 2 cents worth...I'm finishing up my bachelors in Criminal Justice and it's just where my mind automatically goes now.

 

[LuLuO]

I voted 'other' or rather neither. I'm not too big on personalized items that are not keepsakes because I like more versatility. I'd go with different colors rather than personalization.

As for predators, I used to think the same thing as the previous poster but really all someone has to do is walk behind a family for a few minutes and the parents will probably say the kids' names multiple times. Children are also more likely to be harmed/abducted by someone they know so I don't think having their name on a backpack would put them in any more danger than a kid who doesn't have a name on their backpack.

 

[Hannathy]

put the first name on it will be cute.

That is a bunch of malarky about not using names for predators! What do you plan on never saying your child's name the whole time they are with you? Seriously if a "predator" which is an infinitesimally small chance by the way wanted to know their name all they would have to do is follow you. And a child so small as to not know to go with someone, what are the chances they will be alone, we are talking under 3.


The world we live in in actually safer now than it was 30 yrs ago and the greatest danger to children as far as being abducted is by someone they are related to! Not a stranger!!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I just can't let myself be afraid of things like someone luring my child in by knowing their name. The evil person can also obtain their name just by listening to any conversation I have with her for 2 minutes - I constantly use my child's name.

Alison's backpack has her name on it. She loves it because it is personalized. She also has t-shirts with her name on them, and her karate bag is monogrammed with first and last name.

 

[imthatgirl]

My kids all have LL Bean bags so they always have their initials on their bags.

But, if you want their name on the bag, go for it. If someone really wanted to know your childs name I would think all they would have to do is stand near you for a few minutes.

The whole name being dangerous thing is a little bit of paranoia. IMOA

 

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

Like I said, just my 2 cents worth. Things happen in the blink of an eye. Call me paranoid if you wish. I have no problem with it.

 

[mjkacmom]

My first thought is no backpacks. I would hate to have to make sure everyone kept track of them. We had one bag for all 7 of us, and it was fine. I bet you will have a stroller. We no longer monogram- we like to hand stuff down.

 

[puffkin]

I voted Initials. We just had this discussion at home about my DS5's school backpack. I decided that the name would be too "babyish" for him, but I wanted to give him an easy way to identify his own stuff since he is responsible for it at latch key, on the bus, and at school. So I did initials (back pack is from Lands End).

I also think the no name thing for safety is a bunch of baloney. The reason I didn't do the name is because he is with lots of older kids on the bus/latch key. My 5 year old thinks he is at least 8 or 9 and he is very tall too. Therefore we are just trying to avoid anything that screams "young" for him. I know most likely it will never be an issue, but a few precautions don't hurt

 

[Mama2SeraKay]

I just can't let myself be afraid of things like someone luring my child in by knowing their name. The evil person can also obtain their name just by listening to any conversation I have with her for 2 minutes - I constantly use my child's name.

This!!!! Perfectly said!!!

 

[Minnesota!]

put the first name on it will be cute.

That is a bunch of malarky about not using names for predators! What do you plan on never saying your child's name the whole time they are with you? Seriously if a "predator" which is an infinitesimally small chance by the way wanted to know their name all they would have to do is follow you. And a child so small as to not know to go with someone, what are the chances they will be alone, we are talking under 3.


The world we live in in actually safer now than it was 30 yrs ago and the greatest danger to children as far as being abducted is by someone they are related to! Not a stranger!!

Got my kids their own bags for this upcoming trip and both have their name on it.

 

[Schmeck]

put the first name on it will be cute.

That is a bunch of malarky about not using names for predators! What do you plan on never saying your child's name the whole time they are with you? Seriously if a "predator" which is an infinitesimally small chance by the way wanted to know their name all they would have to do is follow you. And a child so small as to not know to go with someone, what are the chances they will be alone, we are talking under 3.


The world we live in in actually safer now than it was 30 yrs ago and the greatest danger to children as far as being abducted is by someone they are related to! Not a stranger!!

Not in my area - 30 years ago they still had state run mental wards, when they closed a lot of dangerously mentally unstable people got dumped on the street. Meth, crack cocaine, and a few other nasties have made some scary people even scarier now too.

I voted other - but for a different reason. We tend to give old backpacks away, so we don't monogram anything.

 

[momto2js]

My 2 and 4 year old have Lands End bags that have their first names on them. They only use them for preschool. I got tired of having to put tags on them so this way the teachers know who's is who's. We don't use them other places though.

 

[thebeesknees]

I had our last name put on my kids' backpacks. It helps at school because quite a few of the kids have the same LL Bean bag, so it makes it easy to know which one was ours. Also, we can hand down the bag to a younger sibling when the older one needs a bigger one. Those things wear like iron! I have to agree that anyone who wants to find out your kid's name will do it very quickly, with or without the name, so do what you like.

 

[kkacar]

Either ask your child what he/she wants. I was going to do my DD's initials and her point was her name is only 3 letters can't I just have my full name. As for the rest we have a code word that you have to say even if she knows you before she will go with you. We did this for many reasons and she has known you needed to have the word her whole life. Which basically means Mommy knows where I am going.

Kel

 

[Minniemouse07]

We did initials and I would recommend the different sized messenger bags on the Disney Store online site. You can get them w/ their choice of character embroidered on there as well.

Dd is 10yo and carried a larger bag and ds at 5yo had a small one. They were perfect for the kids to carry what they wanted and didn't have to be removed for every ride!

 

[iheartdisney]

I do names on my kids' backpacker also. I write their name going down the strap, so they know which one is theirs. My son has two other boys in his class with the same backpack (Target). I am not too afraid of boogeymen.

 

[laughinplace199]

Are you talking about backpacks for the parks or for school? There's no way I'd bring multiple backpacks to the parks. That seems like a recipe for disaster.

First, to go through security at the park entrance, you'll have to open each bag (and unzip each compartment) of all of these backpacks, plus your bag (or purse or whatever you're carrying), plus your diaper bag, camera bag, etc.

Then, you'll have to keep track of all of these bags, bring them on every ride, bring them with you when you eat or any other time that your stroller is unattended.

I only have three kids and it's enough work keeping track of them in the parks. I can't imagine having to keep track of all of their bags as well.

For school backpacks (as well as jackets, sweatshirts, etc), I write our last name somewhere on them (lunch boxes too) so they can be handed down to younger siblings.

 

[deuceswild10]

I've heard that it's not safe to put names on backpacks. I would do initials, if anything at all.