The lost boys (who knows this reference?)

[szdrmf]

My 6 year old son has begun to develop the bad habit of wandering off too far ahead of us. He's done this a few weeks ago when we were hiking and again at the local mall. These events have begun to make me think ahead to our October WDW trip. I'm considering bringing some of those nifty walkie-talkies and giving him one with instructions on how to use it. Does anyone have advice for keeping a child unlost (or how to become found once becoming unlost is no longer an option)?

 

[Laurajean1014]

Is this your first trip to WDW with your 6yo ds?

He may act differently in WdW than at the local mall or etc......

He just may get overwhelmed by the size and amount of people and be closer to you than you'd think. Keep him busy and he should be fine.

Also, on your first day in park, show him (remind him) how many people are here and that as a family we stay together! I don't know if you want to discuss "tricky people."

Also, if he stays with you, give him a reward! Let him do something by himself or have him join a Kid's Club for the day or evening. The Pirate Cruise would be an excellent thing for him to do. Are you leaving soon? You may want to book (fills quickly).

If that's unobtainable, try horseback riding in WL, rent Mice (small boat) at GF lagoon or DTD. Give him a choice. If that doesn't work, get a rope! (yuck, yuck, yuck).

Enjoy your trip.........

 

[Laurajean1014]

Lost Boys references the orphan boys on Neverland that know Peter!

How's that?

 

[welovemickey]

I would make sure that you show him CM's and tell him that if he gets separated, to go directly to a CM and tell them. They're very good at keeping children calm and not causing a commotion (we learned this last year at BB) while "lost parents" are located.

 

[rascalmom]

Our family has this problem with our youngest daughter. I have also accompanied her Brownie troop on several outings with lots of crowds. One thing I would recommend is having everyone in your family wear matching t-shirts, or if is too cheesy for you, dress your son in something very bright & noticable. It really will help you keep an I on him.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

At 6 years old it gets a little easier - because you can at least instruct them on what to do if you should happen to get seperated. Make your plan early and start talking about it a couple of weeks *before* the vacation.

On our first day in the parks I always point out a couple of Cast Members to the boys and show them what the name tags look like. A couple of weeks before the trip I start talking to them about what they should do if they get seperated from us -- they are instructed to go to the nearest cash register (there is no shortage of those in WDW) and to tell the Cast Member behind the register that they can't find their parents. Both of my boys also carry a small laminated cards with their names, their parent's names, what hotel we are staying at, and an emergency contact phone number on it in their pocket.....just in case.

I think the walkie talkie idea is a good one....if he's going to be wearing a fanny pack just have him carry it in there.

 

[LMHB]

My son is three and also bad about wandering. Of course you are especially careful to watch him like a hawk, but if the worst happens, my son knows to "look for a Mommy with babies or kids" in his words. Telling a child to look for a policeman in this day and age is not very realistic...how often do you see a policeman? Also, little kids may not be able to determine exactly who is and is not a cast member. Well, your 6-year-old may, but I bet my 3-year-old wouldn't. Although NO stranger is safe without question, we have always figured another Mom with kids is tow is the best bet. I know I would take responsibility for a lost little one. That may be my child someday!

 

[MAKmom]

I would have a frank talk about how dangerous it is for him to wonder off ever. I would tell him its his job to stay with you & your husband. If he can't do that you will have to hold his hand like a baby. My DH & I play tag... meaning if one of us are going to be distracted we turn to each other touch an arm & say tag your it. This means watch the kids I'm busy. I have a 4 & 6 yr DD the six is good about staying with us. The 4 yr old wonders so she stays in a stroller.

 

[mikesmom]

the first time we went to WDW. DS was only 7 and I was a single mom. We came from a small town where frankly, it wasn't a problem for him to run ahead. About the 3rd time I nearly had a heart attack, I finally had to set him down and explain that there were more people in the park than in his home town and he could NOT run off or we would be leaving the park. He finally "got it" and the rest of the trip was pretty smooth. They just get pretty excited and want to see it all at once.