Stick your cell phone number on your toddler's back
Michelle's strategy for toddlers in crowded places:
When you take your toddler to a public place like a zoo, aquarium or even just to the store, they can move like summer lightning. There's no worse feeling then losing sight of them, even if it's just for a second. Recently, I saw a parent who had taken a mailing label and stuck it on the back of their child's shirt with their last name and cell phone number on it. As someone who's volunteered at kid-friendly events and reunited a few lost toddlers with hysterical parents, I thought this was brilliant.
Now when we're out doing fun stuff with our two-year old, we stick our cell phone number on his back and I slip my business card in his pocket for good measure. Definitely falls under the "better safe than sorry" category.
Similar idea: "Tattoo" your kid with your cell phone number
Tags: Parenting
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When we travel, our kids wear belly packs with our home address hotel address, cel phones and hotel phone numbers in it.
Also, teach your kids to figure out who works in the place that you are at. Talk to them about name tags, shirt colors, etc. so they can recognize who to go to for help if they are ever lost.
Posted by: momma2mingbu | 07 May 2006 at 05:52 PM
What a great idea! Something we always do when we embark on a public outing is to snap a photo of each of the kids. We always have a digital camera with us anyway, so if we were to get separated we have a completely up-to-date photo of the them if we need it.
Posted by: Moira | 08 May 2006 at 01:57 AM
In some situations, this hack could backfire. It is easier for strangers to feign knowing a child if they see the child's name or parents' names,
Posted by: Serena | 10 May 2006 at 07:15 PM
Hey, Im glad I stumbled onto your blog. My family and I are traveling to St.Louis over Memorial Day weekend with our 2 yo and he is like greased lightening. Ill use one or two of the tips I learned here,thnx
Posted by: BarnGoddess | 13 May 2006 at 01:28 PM
Have a look at the website of My Nametags. The name tags allow you to write a name (or last name) plus a phone number. With the phone number in all the clothes (and maybe stickers on the outside, too), anyone finding the child should know who to call.
The web site is http://www.mynametags.com
Posted by: Landersen | 19 February 2007 at 07:24 AM