[millermouse]

Originally Posted by NokeyNose

I understand the reasoning for telling your children not to let the CM or anyone else touch their hand, but I think I have a problem with it. Staying an arms length away seems like you could be making that child a little nerotic. If you tell them to go to a CM or "someone behind a cash register" or "someone with an oval tag", then you are telling them that these are people that will help them to get back to their mom or dad. But to tell them to "keep at an arms length" seems like you are sending mixed signals. I think my 3 year old can comprehend who I am telling her to go to if she and I were to be separeated, but to add the rest, I think makes her a litlle weery of what I am asking her to do!

I understand your concern about my keep an arms distance idea, but this can and should be applied in the everyday life of a child. I don't recommend wording it this way though. It is an idea and not an exact script. I just worry because of known past experiences. If you do not like this idea then don't use it, just maybe consider it in your everyday approach at disney or even the grocery store. Also keep in mind that most companies do criminal background checks when they hire people, but do not do them weekly, monthly, or even yearly on each on individually. This mean....God forbid that a person is on probation for a very bad crime and didn't miss work time for a court appearence (just called in sick that day) the company may never know of this offense. We each need to find our own comfortable level of safety without being nerotic.

[NokeyNose]

Point well taken. I guess I was just thinking in terms of Disney but you are right, this shoudl be applied in every day life! Thanks for clarifying and putting me back on track! Also, you are correct, a person's "status" can change in a single day and their employer may not know. I wonder how often Disney updates their background checks on ee's?

Thanks again!

[A Goofy Family]

When the kids were little, we attached a whisle on a stretchy key ring thingy to their fanny pack. If for any reason they got separated from us, all they had to do was "Give a little whistle" . We never had to use it, but it was there...just in case.

[15 mins to wdw]

When I went to Disney with my Ex-GF and her duaghter (7yo) I showed her how to use my spare cell phone (a prepaid phone) the only number in there was mine. Most kids over 5 now a dayscan figure out a cell phone or could give it to someone who could. Of corse I didn't take it back from her that night and around 6am the next morning she called to see if I was ready to go back to the parks, and claimed that to be a emergency. LOL

These phones are more secure then the little radio's they sell at walmart is the reason I like them, and if you really get seperated you can still use them. Distance is not a issue.

EDIT: We also did give her a card with my name my cell phone number and her grandfathers cell phone and name.

[LivelyStevens]

We went on our first trip with our 3 1/2 year old and 2 year old in March. We went to Walmart and get cheap ingraved dogtags from a machine up front. We labeled them with the child's name, the resort we were staying in, parents names, and two cell phone number. We then attached the "dogtags" to their laces on their shoes. The kids loved them so much they are still attached three months later. The print on the tags is so small that no one can see the words on it unless they are about 6 inches away from the shoe.

[Dana]

I don't think a child is ever to young (beside an infant) to have some sort of plan for seperation (age depends on the explanation and instructions of course) I think have a "plan" in each park is essential. It is very easy to get seperated.

[lawwin]

I have told lil brer what to do if we get separated. She has her pin lanyard and on that lanyard is a card with her name, my cell, her grandparents cell, etc. It is laminated. I have been doing this since she is 10. She is now 13. If we ever get separated, I have told her to go to the nearest ADR booth at the nearest restaurant in Disney, and tell the CM that she cannot find me and to show them her card. That we we can be reunited swiftly, also restaurants have the most CMs in them and they are the easiest to recognize and she knows where most restaurants are on Disney property. Now, that she is 13, she has her own cell and it will be even easier to find her, but those rules will still apply, don't wander around find a "safe place" and wait for me.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by lawwin

I have told lil brer what to do if we get separated. She has her pin lanyard and on that lanyard is a card with her name, my cell, her grandparents cell, etc. It is laminated. I have been doing this since she is 10. She is now 13. If we ever get separated, I have told her to go to the nearest ADR booth at the nearest restaurant in Disney, and tell the CM that she cannot find me and to show them her card. That we we can be reunited swiftly, also restaurants have the most CMs in them and they are the easiest to recognize and she knows where most restaurants are on Disney property. Now, that she is 13, she has her own cell and it will be even easier to find her, but those rules will still apply, don't wander around find a "safe place" and wait for me.

Nice to see you on...missed you!

[Disneybound]

Heads Up! Don't be so sure about all of the employees at the All Stars....My niece who has ADHD and was then 3....slipped away on the All Star property.
My sister-in-law was wanting help and it seemed like everywhere she turned for help was NOT beneficial. Her first thought was to make sure our little one did not decide to "go for a swim". As it turned out, my niece had to use the bathroom and decided to go back to her room at the hotel. The only problem with that is forgetting to mention it to the adults she was with...My sil ended up going back to the room as a gut feeling...and found my niece upset because the door was locked. Once all of that was settled my sil reported the individuals she had asked to help her and they were immmediately "let go" of their duties because they didn't respond to the "missing child" situation like they should have. Hopefully they would have reacted properly if the child had approached them.