A couple of years ago, while I was taking the kids to a large event by myself, I couldn’t help but worry, “What if we get separated?” I think this is a common concern for most parents. While you can teach them their address and phone number, you still have to wonder, “What will they do if they panic?”
On top of the worry about them forgetting important information when panicked, what about a child that is too young to remember those things? Or, what about the child that can remember their home phone number, but maybe not Mom’s cell phone number (something that would be vital if you got separated from them at something like a museum or amusement park).
In order to hopefully help this situation, if we would be separated, I wrote down all kinds of contact information that someone would need to know if one of the kids got lost (or if something happened to me, like being injured, while we were somewhere). I wrote all of this information out three times (on three small slips of paper) and told each of the kids to put one in their pocket. I explained to the kids that I didn’t think they would need it, but gave them examples of situations when they might need it and who to seek out if they got lost.
While I still watched them like a hawk (because I tend to be that way) and have worked on teaching them our contact information, I also felt a little bit better knowing that the kids would be able come up with all of the information they might need to help someone find me or their Dad.
Do you have any tips (safety or just sanity-wise) to make outings with the kids go as smoothly as possible?
This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.
No related posts.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I saw a great idea for a bracelet for kids: beads that make up your phone number. It was cute AND useful. I’m hoping to make one for our kids, soon.
Karen´s last [type] ..The New HP Movie
One thing I’ve taught my child is to stop moving the minute she realizes we are separated. I will go back to the last place I saw her. She is to not move. This worked once when in the mall where I entered a store and thought she was by my side. I turned to check, and she wasn’t there. I went back into the mall area, and she was almost to the next store standing perfectly still and looking around for me. Panic had not yet set in thankfully. I was SO proud of her for remembering and following directions.
When we went to Disney World (with kids who were 2, 5, and 8 at the time) I was really worried about what would happen in that HUGE theme park. I had dog tags made for my kids with their name and our cell phone number. I hung these by looping a pony-tail holder on their back belt loop. It was small, discreet, and didn’t present any kind of hazard on roller coasters and other rides.
April´s last [type] ..Review- Vocabulary Cartoons
When we go to WDW, everyone has a laminated card in their fanny pack or around their neck on a lace with our information and their name. Everyone also has an assigned buddy and one of the two has a phone with them (we use cheapo tracfones so it doesn’t matter if they get lost). In each park, we pick a place that can be seen best from all over (something tall) and everyone gets reminded that we’ll meet there if separated – though that more applies to the slightly older kids. Of course we also go over who they can ask for help.
theveganasana´s last [type] ..Monday Morning Media – The Inappropriate Yoga Guy
I actually have told my children the opposite of staying put, not in a park or wilderness (stay put- it does more harm to wander around) but at big events like we were at the rodeo, there was a big cowboy that you could see from most of the event, I told the kids to go to the cowboy, that way I could go there, we also show them who to talk to, policeman, or people with the badge of the rodeo. I didnt do this until the kids were a little older, I wouldnt tell a 5 year to wonder around looking for the big cowboy but my 7 year old understood completely.
we went to navy peir in chicago and I told them to go to the ticket booth of the Ferris wheel.. you cant miss that!
My kids felt like they had a plan too.
I have actaully writtne a contact number on their hand in pen- not a good practice but it worked that time.
I have a friend who bought a ream ( or pack) of plastic bracelets, like they give you at a carnival and she puts that on the childs arm…
I also take a cell phone picture of each child at the event, so we have exactly what they look like- we started this when we went to Disney world, right while we were waiting for the tram to take us to the park of the day we would, both my husband and I snap a picture of each kid. We have continued doing this at many activities.
I tend to be paranoid and so keep close track.. but it only takes a MINUTE for something to happen!
Carrie Thompson´s last [type] ..American history Week 4 and 5
We take a digital photo of the girls before attending any large event so that we have a photo of exactly what they’re wearing and what they look like to pass out if ever (God forbid!) necessary.
I’m usually opposed to matching outfits, but we dress the girls in matching outfits as often as possible in large crowds.
We take a picture before we leave home (or the hotel), dress in matching outfits (or same color shirts) and “buddy up” older kids with younger.
For OUR sanity if we’re going somewhere with lots of parking – we also take a picture of where we parked – or next to the closest “sign” so we can remember where we are. For instance: when we went to the Mall of America – we took a picture of parking garage sign (lobster, level 1) and also a picture of the entrance (main gate) so we wouldn’t forget!
Jessica´s last [type] ..Bakery Savings
Thanks for this post! I’d never really come up with a plan if I lost any of my 4 (including 2 preschoolers) kids. I’m going to use your note in the pocket idea and also some of the other great ideas from the comments. Thanks for getting this important discussion going!
You can also write a cell phone number on the tag of a shirt and tell the child if they get separted from you to call the number
I saw a show with this scenario and they suggested teaching your kids to find a mama and tell her that you were lost instead of someone with a badge.
The reasoning was, number 1 a lot of predators will wear uniforms because that is what they know the kids are being taught to trust.
Number 2 is that no mom in her right mind would walk away without making sure the child was back with their parents.
So, we’re teaching our children to find a mommy and ask her for help.