Parents worst nightmare

[mtdevine615]

I haven't lost anyone except me, but I've got a tip for everyone that I saw on here a few months ago. Each morning before you start the day take a picture of the kids so you have the information of what they are wearing when/if you need it to tell security. Maine

 

[Joanna71985]

I both had my sister get lost, and dealt with lost kids (when you work in Fantasyland, you're bound to get lots of lost kids). My sister story happened back when it was my sister-10, me-6, sister-3, and brother-baby. We were on our way to the bathroom when we decided afterwards to go get ice cream. My little sister somehow kept walking and presto!, got lost. My parents panicked. They plunked us on a bench and ran around looking for her. Funny enough, it was my sister who found her. She heard her (she had been siting on a bench crying). The funny part is, my sister got lost in- Fantasyland. Now for my other-kids lost stories. I have several. There was one where a little boy and his cousin got separated from his family and the aunt at Winnie the Pooh. They got separated in the crowd. Both boys were only 6. There was a family that lost their daughter. I walked with the mother for 15+ minutes until I got a call that she was found at Lost and Found. Then there are the 2 that I remember the most. One was a little Spanish girl. Only family member who spoke any English was her little cousin, who was the same age (I think 10). They ended up finding her. The last one was when I was working at 7 Dwarf's Mine. This couple came up and said there was a little girl hanging around the front of the Snow White ride. When I went over, there was this little girl hanging on the bars in the line. How little was she? She was 2 1/2 years old. I picked her up and walked around with her. A coordinator found the parents. The story is this: the family was at Ariel's Grotto. Somehow she got out across Fantasyland to Snow White! She had no shoes on either. When the family arrived the mother was hysterical! I could see how she slipped away, however- there were 5 other kids in the family. All's well that ends well, I say.

 

[polyhm83]

Several years ago we were in Epcot during presidents week. The crowds were bigger than I have ever seen. There was an evening parade at that time, and as the crowds grew before the parade was to begin, my then 14 year old daughter and her friend also 14 got ahead of us. At first I wasn't that concerned because I could still see them and they were a little older, but they kept getting further away and the crowds were so thick that we couldn't catch up. We eventually went to the exit to wait for them but they never showed up. I went to guest services and they were amazing, they put their descriptions over their computer system to all cm's. It was in total about an hour and some before we saw them again and I was a little freaked out. It turns out they were at the Canada pavillion eating free popcorn and watching the parade ( we are Canadian) I guess they felt at home. The cm's
told them where we were and they finally arrived.

 

[disney102105]

I dont understand why people get so bent out of shape about harnesses for their little ones. We leave next weekend and I have our harness packed for my 22 month old DD. Not because she is wild or wanders off in any way. But because I will use it as an EXTRA precaution against her getting away from us if I feel the need to. In large crowds even the best of parents can have something bad happen to their kids. I have never used the harness at home but I am glad to have this for our trip. Kids wont stay in stroller all day at the parks and if it is very crowded or you are just standing in a long line you may want to use it. And like someone else said...I bet the kids that did get lost WOULD NOT have been lost if they had on a leash or harness. I wish people would stop looking down at families that use them.

 

[kellyg403]

When my DS was 3, we were at the beach with his grandparents who were visiting. (My exh parents). I went to change the baby, and told my MIL to watch DS who was playing in the sand. I came back about 15 minutes later as it was a far walk to the restroom and this diaper certainly needed the restroom...DS was nowhere to be seen. I asked MIL she said I thought he was with you. I was freaking because all I could see was miles of ocean. He was so brave at the time and would go in. About that time I heard a little one crying and saw a nice lady bringing him up the beach. She knew he was mine by the frantic look on my face as I raced up and down the beach. It was the worst day of my life and the best because all he did was wander the beach and was watching a volleyball game. To this day (he is 11 now) he says remember the day you lost me at the beach??? From that day forward I never went to the beach without making sure he went everywhere with me no matter who we were with or how much I trusted them. DS just was a wanderer and my heart couldn't take that ever again.


Kelly

 

[Nank]

I just made sure that my DS (4) knew our names, his name and what hotel we were staying at. We only have 1 so he was easy to watch. I saw someone who had put their phone number on their child's arm with a marker.

 

[magiroux]

I've recently changed my mind about leashes. My kids are grown and I'd never used on with either of them didn't like the looks of a child on a leash neither of them ever got lost. This past Easter we went to WDW with extended family. Turned out 4 yr old nephew is a wanderer that would not get in stroller he got lost numerous times for a few minutes. Made me a nervous wreck. DH and I were going to take him for a day so his parents could have some time to themselves. The night before we went to the resort gift shop and bought a leash. He was fine with the leash but when SIL met up with us at the end of the day she said my son is not a dog I don't want a leash on him. Nephew told his mother he had fun being a dog liked his leash because we didn't get away from him!

Sue, I understand that you wanted to make sure you kept your nephew safe, but to go out and buy and use a harness on someone else's child is not appropriate, IMO. I'm just curious, was there a reason that preventing you from discussing this before you watched her child? Right or wrong, people that do not approve of harnesses feel pretty strongly about it. I would imagine she was pretty upset.

My DD got lost in the DCL Terminal once. I was at the counter checking in (terminal was virtually empty) and DD asks if she can go look at the model ship. I can see it from where I am so, no problem. Well, from the time it took to check in, less than 2 minutes, there must have been 15 busses off loaded. I look behind me and all I see is a wall of people. I can see the ship but not DD, and I know DD can't see me anymore. Sure enough, she is not there when I walk over. Worst feeling in the world. She came over with a CM and looked so frightened all I could do was hug her. The CM member was great, giving her a little Mickey & Minnie Figure.

 

[stacy6552]

Give all your kids info cards, with phone numbers and a meet spot in each park. Carry good photos of your kids.

Teach them what to do if they get lost! Most preditors are men so play the odds and tell them to ask a mom for help. Show them what cast members look like. Tell them that good strangers will get them help without making them go anywhere and good strangers will understand if they refuse to go anywhere with them. Cast members will never take them outside the parks. Tell them to show the cast members their info cards. Parents decide who will go to the meet spot and who will get help.

 

[lovethattink]

The ones to be really worried about are the children who can't speak or don't know their parent's cell phone #. We bought the Shoe ID's for our little one. He is 17 months old. They have velcro to hold them to the shoe. I've also seen parents take a permanent marker and write their info on child's wrist. We bring a safety pin, and go to guest services. They have a tag you can ask for. The tag has lines to write your name, child's name, your resort and phone #. We pin it to the back of his clothes.

 

[Dis_Grk Grl]

Even though I have never used the leash with my 3 yr old DD before, I plan on brining one just in case she won't use a stroller, to our WDW trip in December. We will try the stroller first, but if she insists on walking, we will use one. I may not agree with using one all the time, but my heart hurts just at the possibility of losing my baby girl.

Nicole

 

[DISLOVE]

Along these lines, I read above about someone who uses a harness. My DH and I disagree on this issue, but my DD is so speedy that I am afraid if I blink she could take off on her own. DH doesn't want to put her on a leash...what do you all think about this? I don't recall many people using them at WDW but then again, I do recall seeing many lost kids during our past trips. I don't want my DD to be one of them in 2 weeks. DH seems embarassed about using the leash, like we'd be the only ones "walking" our little girl. Thoughts?

I'm completely and totally against the use of leashes on children. Make a pact with your DH that one of you needs to have your eye on your DD at all times. That's what we have done and have not lost her yet! Its funny to listen to though, "Eric.. its you!" "Yep, I got her!"

 

[goofie4goofy]

I am one of "those" Moms who have a leash on my toddler. I have gotten mixed reviews from on lookers. My DS is too fast, and can get away from me too easily. If it is not crowded, I won't make him wear it. Bless his little heart when he stands still as I fumble to get the darn thing on him!
I got the harness at Target. Great invention in my book.

I was on a leash too because I would wander off everywhere. I think they are a great idea espically at WDW. Who cares what other people think, they are your kids. It is for their protection. Our last trip I saw lots of kids with them...I laughed and told my DH that I had one too...he was not surprised

 

[DVCajun]

One thing that we have drilled into my son's head since this incident is that if we are ever separated he is to find a CM at a stand and they will help him find us.

That's exactly what we're planning on doing on our next trip. We're also going to take photos with our cell phones and put a note somewhere on him with our telephone number. I like the idea of using a permanent marker on his arm. I think a note might get wet or torn off or lost during the day.

Judgmental folks need to just get over themselves. We're all only human and we don't always have control of the circumstances around us, particularly in crowds. All it would take is to lose your grip on your child's hand for one moment and they slip into the crowd.

There are many different personalities and needs in children. We as parents need to decide what's best for our family. I can't imagine that using a harness as a safety net is going to damage a child. Safety is the #1 priority.

 

[gracelrm]

Our son got lost at Blizzard Beach when he was about 5. I thought DH was watching him and he thought he was with me. Once we realized he was missing, I really panicked. DH and I both searched frantically for him. I was more concerned about him drowning than being abducted, but both were in my mind. I don't remember how long we searched for him before asking a CM; they directed us to the lost child area and he was there! Had apparently been there for quite a while and we got a "look" from the CM, like "how long did it take you to realize you didn't have your kid". He had wondered off from the kiddie area and when he realized he was lost, he started crying. A mom saw him crying and took him to a CM where they took care of him. I learned an important lesson. Look for him for a few minutes, then notify an employee! Had we asked someone sooner, instead of trying to find him frantically - we would have been reunited with him much sooner. On the same trip, I witnessed a lost child near Buzz Lightyear. He was crying, a CM approached him and spoke with him. She then went to a phone, made a call and in two minutes there were two management type CM's who appeared. They were very good with the child and took care of the situation. I was very impressed with the way they handled the situation and it helped me to know that my son was probably in good hands while he was lost.

 

[Kristi1357]

Judgmental folks need to just get over themselves. We're all only human and we don't always have control of the circumstances around us, particularly in crowds. All it would take is to lose your grip on your child's hand for one moment and they slip into the crowd.

There are many different personalities and needs in children. We as parents need to decide what's best for our family. I can't imagine that using a harness as a safety net is going to damage a child. Safety is the #1 priority.

Could not have said it better - and could not agree more!

 

[judykay53]

I, the grandma, got lost last year at the store that is in a breezeway at Epcot. I stopped to look at something and my daughter went to pay. When I looked up she was gone. Man that store was complicated. I wandered around for a few minutes. I would turn a corner and expect an exit to be there but it was just another room. I finally just stopped and waited by an exit. She found me and I was at a different entrance/exit than what we went in.

 

[Lizzybee]

I just got separated from my son the other night in KMart. Now my son is 11 but on the way in the store, I saw a convicted sex offender walking in too. I work for the courts so I'm extra paranoid anyway but knowing a pedophile with a preference for young boys was in the store and I didn't have my son right at my side made me feel sick to my stomach. He had his game boy with and wasn't paying attention to where I was going. He was only "lost" less than 5 minutes but it was 5 minutes too long. The game boy is now permanenty banned from going into stores.

 

[tmt martins]

Not sure where to find them do google search .But we use to use an ID (hospital type) when DD11 was smaller or I took some of here friends they were great stayed on the whole trip .we put them on the ankle and they never even noticed them after a day or so. last couple of years we use NEXTELS they are the best if we lose her now it's stop and stay where you are we're on our way.
As for the leash kids to each is own I love when they take off not listening and get their leggs pulled right out from under them you could just put a dog traing device in thier pocket or 1 that only lets them go so far and shock them as well that would stop them from wandering.(JUST KIDDING ON THE LATTER)

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

I am one of "those" Moms who have a leash on my toddler. I have gotten mixed reviews from on lookers. My DS is too fast, and can get away from me too easily. If it is not crowded, I won't make him wear it. Bless his little heart when he stands still as I fumble to get the darn thing on him!
I got the harness at Target. Great invention in my book.

DM used a leash on me when I was little (started walking young and I was SHORT and liked to run ) For anyone who thinks they will get strange looks, personally I think its better not to lose your child. Also, I have seen some people with "leashes" attatched to both their wrist and their child's, maybe this would make you feel less strange? Since, technically you're both attatched to eachother

 

[Pats Dragon]

I wanted to be the perfect parent and thought leashes were terrible but now I change my mind. You cannot watch your children at the parks perfectly. Some children stay with their parents and others have a tendency to wander.

My son at age 2 was holding my hand in a huge end of the day crowd in the gift store on Main Street. He jerked away and ran and I couldn't catch him before he ran out into the dark. I almost died. Just as I got to the door a CM came through carrying him in his arms. What a relief. It was less than a minute but very scary.


My daredevil daughter climbed steps at River Country and I climbed after her to watch her and her Dad was waiting at the foot of the slide. She disappeared over the rock and I assumed was safely in his arms. Imagine my horror when he peeked around the rock to ask where she was . I went bounding over the rocks to see a CM holding a grinning and soggy child who had climbed to the next door slide over rocks!!!