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AIBU?

To be seriously considering getting a child GPS tracker?

64 replies

Boomingmarvellous · 12/11/2015 10:17

Part of me is saying it's crazy over protective parenting, but the other part is remembering a couple of occasions of sheer sick terror when DS1 wandered off and DS2 is coming up to that stage.

Give me a reality check please.

www.child-angel.com

OP posts:

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divere · 12/11/2015 10:21

For what age...? If you mean young, surely you can just use reins or wrist strap? I assumed you meant older child who was walking home from school alone...

Boomingmarvellous · 12/11/2015 10:26

2 year old. Difficult to shop with reins or a wrist strap. He won't sit in the trolley. It would also be good in the park, but mostly where there are a lot of children milling about.

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divere · 12/11/2015 10:29

I really can't get my head around the idea personally. But then my sister has a tracker for her cat so each to their own I guess.

Nataleejah · 12/11/2015 10:44

I remember the Simpsons episode where Bart stuck that device on a bird.

EcclefechanTart · 12/11/2015 10:47

Surely you wouldn't let a 2yo out of your sight anyway? I thought you meant for a teenager!

seasidesally · 12/11/2015 10:49

i've heard it all now,ridiculous idea

wait till their teens and you can never get hold of them and they come in later than planned

Boomingmarvellous · 12/11/2015 10:54

I can't be alone in this anxiety if a company has manufactured this device

And no I don't let a 2 year old out of sight generally but you've only got to look at the Jamie bulger case to see it's literally impossible to watch a child 100% of the time.

OP posts:

seasidesally · 12/11/2015 10:57

no the company that manafactures this plays on YOUR anxiety

EcclefechanTart · 12/11/2015 11:03

But is your 2yo ever likely to be far enough away that a GPS tracker would be useful? I mean, I am presuming you don't let him run round freely at theme parks (which the website suggests as a good use of the device). The only time I ever lost my DS was in Marks and Spencer's when he hid under a rack of long skirts next to me. I knew he was there somewhere but couldn't see him - and I can't imagine a GPS tracker would be able to tell me "he's under the bias-cut red linen skirts immediately to your right", could it?

ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 12/11/2015 11:09

I had a bolter, who also used to hide if my eyes weren't on her 24/7, I used a Mummy I'm Here in supermarkets etc.

You press the button and it beeps so you can hear which way they went in the shops or whatever.

WorraLiberty · 12/11/2015 11:31

You're the parent.

If you want him to hold your hand or wear reins/a wrist strap, then insist upon it.

Using a tracker isn't going to teach him to stay with you/do as you say.

Besides, if you're worried about him running off then anything could happen by the time you reached him - tracker or not.

It's not going to stop him getting run over.

Bubbletree4 · 12/11/2015 11:45

You cannot let a 2yo out of your sight in public. Even if they were on a tracker, they could still get run over etc.

You have to insist that the 2yo stays with you, whichever way you can. I know it's very hard. I used to find shopping a nightmare with mine. Either you strap them into the buggy or you have reins. Reins can also be used to strap a child into a supermarket trolley. You absolutely cannot let them run away out of your sight.

divere · 12/11/2015 11:56

Agree with Worra.

Boomingmarvellous · 12/11/2015 12:11

I wouldn't let him let go of my hand near a road! Definitely a wrist strap then if needed.

He's not a runner but is just inquisitive. You can set the range so that it beeps at a certain distance. So if he was hiding under a clothes rack (we nipped that one in the bud by not reacting) it wouldn't beep so you know he's not far.

We were in a children's museum where they are encouraged to explore and experiment. What would be the point of reins then? Although we did put them on in the end as he was getting too giddy! I also have another child so attention is divided.

He is usually good and will walk near the shopping trolley but it's just if a lot of people are around he could get lost in a crowd. It's not always black and white.

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Boomingmarvellous · 12/11/2015 12:13

I was thinking of it too as a way of allowing a little more freedom but safely. I do hate the idea of him constantly pinned to my side and it's good for children to explore.

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WorraLiberty · 12/11/2015 12:16

Look, if he leaves the shop because you're not holding his hand/reins or making sure he holds the shopping trolley, he could run straight into the road or car park before you've found out where he is and caught up with him.

Indiechic · 12/11/2015 12:18

I have two preschool aged dc and keep meaning to look into this. The parks and playgrounds we go to are quite large and sprawling, and obviously the dc run in opposite directions to each other! I think if they're cheap enough, why not? Takes the stress out of things. My friend lost her three year old at a festival recently, and it took over half an hour to find her. If the technology exists then why not?? I wouldn't say that I'm a particularly anxious parent, and perhaps it can help you let your kids become more independent.

timelytess · 12/11/2015 12:21

They are yours, you let them out but you want them back, track them.

DD (33) and me have some phone app thing that tells me where she is and tells her where I am. it also tells me where I am, which I find useful.

But not when they are two years old. Oh no. Two is still hand-holding, maybe reins, off-leash only under close supervision age.

Boomingmarvellous · 12/11/2015 12:27

We also took the DC to a festival recently. Luckily no one got lost but the thought of tethering children to you like dogs in an area where they are meant to have fun and explore (which they did) is awful.

I do lose sight of DS2 in soft play but only for a minute or two, which I don't think is unusual. Suppose he found an open door and wandered out in that minute or two?

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Boomingmarvellous · 12/11/2015 12:29

He's scared of the road and doesn't like to be near the edge and shepherds me away too!

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WorraLiberty · 12/11/2015 12:34

So was my cat but sadly he got run over too.

If you're anxious then perhaps a GPS is for you.

But imo nothing beats holding your child's hand/using reins etc in public.

Indiechic · 12/11/2015 12:37

Obviously not a popular opinion on here, but I'd microchip them for the primary school years!

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PaulAnkaTheDog · 12/11/2015 12:39

I'm sorry but because of your reluctance to put reins on him then I'd say you need to constantly watch him. A GPS tracker will do bugger all if you're in a busy area like a festival. Just watch him constantly or use reins.

DonkeyOaty · 12/11/2015 12:40

Seriously two year olds are bonkers. Hand or strap or buggy. I say pffft to thinking it akin to tethering like dogs. So what, kid safe, job done.

Indiechic · 12/11/2015 12:40

I was thinking that you can track them through a mobile phone anyway when they're older.

I would watch dd (2) whilst letting ds (4) have more freedom and independence in the park, soft play etc.

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