Paranoid? Child ID Question

[disneymom225]

I will freely admit that I am overprotective of my DD (18 months). I try really hard NOT to let it interfere with her life b/c I know it is my issue. Make sense? Anyway-I am terrified that she will wander off when we are at WDW. She is usually very good and stays close but you never know. She is too little to keep an id necklace on or a bracelet like I have seen in various places. I found some "crowd control" wristbands that can be stuck on (and left--no forgetting!) and written on. They seem similar to a hospital id braclet or what you'd get at a concert. They are 10.95 for 100--wow! weeks of safety for one low price!--I also looked at the Who's Shoes but they were 7.99 and DD LOVES to unstick velcro. So, question--should I get these bracelets or is that really over the top crazy mom???

 

[meandtheguys2]

I hate those things because they itch...maybe you could put it on her where it wouldn't touch her? If she wears "tie" shoes", some swear by a dog tag, through the tie.

 

[disneymom225]

I hate those things because they itch...maybe you could put it on her where it wouldn't touch her? If she wears "tie" shoes", some swear by a dog tag, through the tie.

I didn't really think about the itch issue. She has "mary jane" style ked sneakers and also a pair w/ not ties but stretchie things that look like laces--don't actually know what it is called...
My thought about the bracelt was we could put it on once and forget about it--we didn't need to worry about hooking it to her shoes everyday--or with her getting so fascinated with the new dangly thing on the shoe that she plays with it/ pulls it off.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I never found a good answer, although I always swore I was just going to write our cell number on their arms with a sharpie! I think it is great that you want her to grow beyond your fears! I have to work not to give my fears to my kids!

 

[Ardenne]

If you're just worried about it for at Disney, perhaps you could get some of those stick-on nametags and put one on the back of her shirt, where she can't get to it? That's what we did for the wee ones at Bible School this past year, and it worked great -- they didn't even know it was back there, so they left it alone.

Another idea I've seen is to write "Emergency contact:" and your cell phone number (if your cell phone works at Disney!) on her arm with a pen (using ink that won't come off during the day, obviously.) You can clean it off easily with a little hairspray or rubbing alcohol, but if she gets lost, someone could reach you immediately.

I think the ID bracelets might itch or otherwise annoy her, but at that price, it might not hurt to try.

 

[disneymom225]

I think the ID bracelets might itch or otherwise annoy her, but at that price, it might not hurt to try.

That's what I thought. Writing on her arm--hmmm. not a bad idea. DH would laugh at me though!! The company offers free samples--maybe I'll request one and then if we use it, fine--if not no loss!
Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We did the dog tag. It is heartshaped and we got it for about 5 dollars at Petsmart. It was big enough to have her name put on it and 2 cell phone numbers. We looped it through her shoelace.

 

[Colinsmom]

We did the dog tag too, and just put it on once (at the beginning of the trip). No way DS could get it off - he'd have to unlace his shoes! If you are using two pairs of shoes, you could spend $10 and get two tags.

We put DS's first name and our cell phone numbers on the tags so that we could use it on other trips and at other places, too.

Though I will say that I wouldn't recommend giving an 18 month old too much free reign so that she even has a chance to wander off - too many people and crowds. When DS was 2yo, we either carried him, had him in the stroller, had him firmly by the hand, or had a harness on him.

 

[oogieboogie]

I guess at 18 months, what about using a harness? That would give you peace of mind. She'll be able to roam freely (as far as the tether lets her) but still be in your sights.

I don't think you really need a child ID yet at that age. Keep a watchful eye on her and you'll be fine. 18 months is a little young to be free range.

 

[kjh]

I bought a set of 100 of those bracelets that you get at venues that cannot come off easily (tyvek ones). I plan on using a permanent marker and writing on it, don't forget scissors. I got a variety of colors thinking I would attach it to her leg a little looser since her shoe should keep it on. My husband thinks I am crazy, but he's used to me by now. However I do like the dog tag idea and think I am definitely going to get me a pair. However, I definitely don't need 100 of them. Email me your mailing address and I will first class mail a couple to you if you'd like (I live in HI though so if you're trip is very soon it might not make it in time).

 

[Anniegirl]

I ordered the wristbands already. I have a 5 year old with ADHD, a 2 1/2 year old (preemie with severe developmental delays...more like a 15 month old) and an 8 month old. They are all getting wristbands/anklebands and so are the strollers and the diaperbag. My 2 year old can't talk (except for "more", "up", and "apple juice" ) and I don't want to take any chances. I also have a harness for him. Poor kid will spend the majority of our time there in the stroller or carried or having a serious grip on his hand. I'd much rather be safe than sorry.

 

[can'twait]

Check out this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=872679

 

[munchkinsmom]

I will freely admit that I am overprotective of my DD (18 months). I try really hard NOT to let it interfere with her life b/c I know it is my issue. Make sense? Anyway-I am terrified that she will wander off when we are at WDW. She is usually very good and stays close but you never know. She is too little to keep an id necklace on or a bracelet like I have seen in various places. I found some "crowd control" wristbands that can be stuck on (and left--no forgetting!) and written on. They seem similar to a hospital id braclet or what you'd get at a concert. They are 10.95 for 100--wow! weeks of safety for one low price!--I also looked at the Who's Shoes but they were 7.99 and DD LOVES to unstick velcro. So, question--should I get these bracelets or is that really over the top crazy mom???

I have the same problem with my DS. He loves to play with velcro! I use these as ID's for my children:

http://www.kidtagz.com/

They work well on shoes and sandals. They come in two sizes, but I use the small discs. They're waterproof, durable and come in cute designs.

HTH!

 

[mookie]

I have the same problem with my DS. He loves to play with velcro! I use these as ID's for my children:

http://www.kidtagz.com/

They work well on shoes and sandals. They come in two sizes, but I use the small discs. They're waterproof, durable and come in cute designs.

HTH!

I just checked out this website. They look like a great idea, and answers a lot of the "will they keep it on" issues. Munchkinsmom, did you actually receive your order yet? I'm just wondering if there really enough room to write all of the information down on the small ones, or if I should consider getting the larger one instead. (If I truly had my way, I'm sure I would wrap her in posterboard if I could, just do get every possible detail on her if she did get lost! )

I'm figuring her name and our two cell numbers would work - do you think there is enough room on there for that? It just looks really small.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I just purchased 2 discs from petsmart for my DD3 & DS4 for when we go. I plan on looping them through the shoes. I think they'll have enough to look at besides their feet but I understand your thoughts. We put their names, home address and home phone number engraved into it. When we go on day trips I just take a round white sticker - write the available cell # onto it - in case we have changed cells or don't bring ours and have someone else in the group with one - and stick it on the opposite side. We plan on writing our hotel & room number on the sticker as well for this trip.

 

[munchkinsmom]

I just checked out this website. They look like a great idea, and answers a lot of the "will they keep it on" issues. Munchkinsmom, did you actually receive your order yet? I'm just wondering if there really enough room to write all of the information down on the small ones, or if I should consider getting the larger one instead. (If I truly had my way, I'm sure I would wrap her in posterboard if I could, just do get every possible detail on her if she did get lost! )

I'm figuring her name and our two cell numbers would work - do you think there is enough room on there for that? It just looks really small.

I've been using these tags for about a year now and have been very pleased. I have the following written inside the tag, using an extra fine point sharpie. Of course, I wrote small, but it's certainly readable:

My cell number
My DH's cell number
Our home phone number
"Has peanut allergy" (on my DD's tag).

I wouldn't get the larger tag, IMO. I have a couple of those and really didn't like them that much. Definitely stick to the smaller ones.

HTH!

 

[alloyd1170]

She isnt too young for a bracelet! I got one from Child's Id Inc for my son for his first WDW trip when he was about that age. Its stainless steel with a clasp that I have a hard time opening. If the wrist is not a good place, you can put it around her ankle. My son wears his 24/7, even swimming. Hes on his 2nd one already (he out grew the first one)! They run around $25. They will add links (for free I think) and will update any info changes for half price. Plus you can get a discount after your first purchase. On my son's current one he has a train image, first and last name, and dob on the front, address, home #, my name and cell #, husbands name and cell, and drs # on the back (he has the size up from the jr now). It gets noticed since it looks like a medical id bracelet, but unless you really get down and look at it, you cant read the info (thinking of child predators). He forgets hes wearing it unless he plays with it. Its never fallen off, and like I said, its not easy to open. As soon as my daughter becomes mobile I will be ordering her one.

alison

 

[disneymom225]

Though I will say that I wouldn't recommend giving an 18 month old too much free reign so that she even has a chance to wander off - too many people and crowds. When DS was 2yo, we either carried him, had him in the stroller, had him firmly by the hand, or had a harness on him.

We will definately NOT be giving her free reign! She will either be in stroller, carried, or holding hands. No harness--not our thing! But I want a "just in case". I ordered the bracelets--actually, I'll be putting it on her ankle. That was the suggestion of people here and also of the women at the compnay I ordered from. THanks!

 

[disneymom225]

I guess at 18 months, what about using a harness? That would give you peace of mind. She'll be able to roam freely (as far as the tether lets her) but still be in your sights.

I don't think you really need a child ID yet at that age. Keep a watchful eye on her and you'll be fine. 18 months is a little young to be free range.

No free roaming for her. I want a "just in case". We watch her like a hawk. We've also been going to a local, little amusement park and practiced holding hands at all times--she really is very good about it but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
No harness for us. I think it has some advantages but I don't feel comfortable using it. I ordered the bracelets!