Still amazed -

[Madhatter266]

We just returned from a 6 day visit to WDW and I am still amazed at how many parents, just plain, do not watch their children. We continuously saw kids get "left behind," or ignored because the parents were doing something else. They were busy taking pictures while "Susie" was trying to climb over one of the fences around the water at Epcot. I am far from perfect but some of the children, even though they are excited, could definately get hurt!

 

[momto2]

I was in line with my son on a ride and this couple in front of me never looked at their son. All of a sudden they couldn't find him! He was probably 20 people back. I was amazed because when they got him back, they still kept looking at their precious map and talking to each other. WOW!

BTW that was last week too!

 

[aksunshine]

I was also there last week and noticed the same thing. One VERY important rule for my DD who is 3 was she must always have a hand or be blocked in an area where she could be well seen. While other parents let their children ( as young as 1 and 2) wonder ahead or away. Too scary!

 

[OhMari]

Why does it happen. Do you think parents are not used to being with their children during the day, so out of site out of mind.

 

[Allison]

Why does it happen. Do you think parents are not used to being with their children during the day, so out of site out of mind.

No, I don't think that's it.

 

[Tinkim]

We had a tough time with this on one trip. My friend came with us on their first trip and her two DD's (one more than the other) were constantly getting lost. The first night we were there she got separated from her older sister who was 14 at the time after Wishes. We had to wait around for almost an hour trying to find her. Talk about scary. It happened again later in the week when we went on Splash Mountain. I am looking around in the boat and I don't see her DD. I asked everyone if she was with them in their seat but no one had her. She got left behind! Can you imagine? I think her mom was so excited to be there that she was beyond distracted. After that I told them they had to hold someone's hand at all times. I know they didn't like it because my DD didn't have to hold my hand but my DD knew she had to be in my sight at all times and she knows to yell if she isn't right next to me or DH. My DH watched her 2 DD's like a hawk but they still managed to lag behind a couple of times. I think they probably didn't like us much by the end of the trip because I kept telling them how important it was to STAY WITH US and HOLD SOMEONE'S HAND but it really freaked me out. Normally this probably wouldn't happen to her but she was just so distracted by the whole thing I guess.

Although I have to admit on the last trip my DH didn't come so it was just me and the three kids. One afternoon while we were walking up the MK gate my DD was right beside me and then I hear this scream "MOM!" and I though uh-oh someone's kid is getting left behind then I looked at my side to say something to DD about it and guess what . . . she was the one yelling. She bent down to tie her shoe and she was about five steps behind me. So I guess it has even happened to me once but once was enough to teach me.

 

[cara76]

This is the reason I went out last night and bought DS a new stroller, I'm not comfortable with him wlking through the park even at 4, too many people and he tends to go off into his own world sometimes. I've noticed it too, though.

However after last week I understand how some of those parents feel. I took my nephew 3 with us last week to AK, the boys where walking around by the Conservation Station. DS needed something, so I turned to him within 2 secs DN had taken off on me. He's been doing this to his mom lately in public places too. It scared me half to death. DS knows , we have a rule, you are either in your stroller, attched to me or in my eyesight at all times.

 

[Idroveallnight]

I think the whole WDW experience is overwhelming to parents & kids! I have never gotten seperated from mine, but I know it would be easy! I don't think the average family deals with crowds & such a huge place on a regular basis!

 

[Stacerita]

I think the whole WDW experience is overwhelming to parents & kids!

I have to agree with this as being one of the reasons. Sometimes both the kids and parents get caught up and forget to stay with each other. The sweetpea is 10 and I still make her stay with me at all times. Ive always told her to stay with me because "I" dont want to get lost.

But also, I think parents sometimes have the attitude of "Its WDW, what can happen?" and forget that its just like other places where kids can get lost, get hurt, or who knows what.