Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Nearly lost my 3 year old today

66 replies

Soubriquet · 09/12/2018 14:53

Never really understood split second but certainly did today

Gone to the local city for a bit of shopping. Dh is in a shop, so me, dd(5) and ds(3) are sitting outside on a bench.

Spot dd has dropped a glove so she fetches it and then I zip up her pocket.

Turn round to discover ds is gone. He was literally there a second before and completely disappeared the next

I’m a complete wreck.

The security guards are radioing round to everyone to try and track him down. People are darting off trying to help search

After what feels like a lifetime but probably only 10 mins, he has been found.

He was found at the middle of the shopping centre talking about sweets.

Makes me wonder if someone tried to lure him off

I have never felt such sheer panic like I did just then

Don’t know why I’m posting. Just needed somewhere to vent

Keeping a close eye on him now

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 09/12/2018 14:58

OMG you poor thing. Wine

That's terrifying. I lost DS on Sainsbury's when he was that age. Just horrible.

Coco2891 · 09/12/2018 15:00

It's the worst feeling ever but it will pass and it has reminded you how easy it is , try and see it as lesson learnt and if it helps maybe use a wrist link for a while

Highginx · 09/12/2018 15:00

Oh OP what a shock. I’m so glad he’s safe.

Sparklingbrook · 09/12/2018 15:02

If it would put your mind a bit more at rest would the shopping centre have a look at the CCTV for you?

TheGreenDot · 09/12/2018 15:03

I’m so glad you found him safe.

incallthebloodytime · 09/12/2018 15:07

Glad he's safe

I think we all jump to worst conclusions since the James Bulger case

Hope you're resting up now

PerfectPeony · 09/12/2018 15:09

Glad he’s okay. Must have been so scary. I think this will happen to everyone at some point. It’s impossible to watch your child 24/7. I agree if you are suspicious ask for the CCTV.

HJWT · 09/12/2018 15:10

When my niece was a toddler one second she was there next she was gone we looked for 10 mins the she popped out from one of the clothes rails !! I was crying my eyes out!! Little crap bag

Sparklingbrook · 09/12/2018 15:12

DS was in the clothes rails too. Saw his feet sticking out. He was hiding. Angry

E20mom · 09/12/2018 15:13

Oh you port thing. This stuff scares me to death

Original poster
Soubriquet · 09/12/2018 15:17

We are going to get some reins. Me and dh keep randomly bursting into tears whenever we think on it

He has never wandered off like that before. But I suppose most parents say that

I feel like I’ve aged about 50 years

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 09/12/2018 15:22

They didn't have these when my two were little but I probably would have had one rather than reins if they did. A little backpack with a handle/rein.

Nearly lost my 3 year old today
onalongsabbatical · 09/12/2018 15:25
Flowers You poor people. I don't want to make it worse but the 'talking about sweets' is worrying and I would get the CCTV looked at. What if there is someone trying to lure away kids with sweets and they get some other child, tomorrow, next week? Sorry, I know it's the last thing you want to think about right now. So glad that he's safe.
Lattesforlife · 09/12/2018 15:26

oh bless you. I lost Ds when he was about 18 months old in a 3 story soft play (it was an old church) I literally turned to put babywipes off the table into our bag as we were leaving, and he had gone. I was convinced he could only walk up the first floor as it was a ramp, but they found him on the top floor happy as larry. He was also gone about 10 mins, and the soft play went into immediate and really efficient lock down, but that utter panic was horrific. I am welling up now just remembering it, and DS is nearly 7 now. Give them an extra squeeze tonight Op Flowers

Lynne45 · 09/12/2018 15:28

Ahhh it’s horrible when that happens.
I lost DS when he was about 5. We were in a big Motbercare looking for a present for a new baby and he disappeared trying to find the toys. A couple noticed him getting upset and brought him back to me.

madmum5811 · 09/12/2018 15:29

M & S circular clothes rail the little horror hid from me. Will never forget it. I am a great an of reins. Actually bought them for grandson because he took after his daddy in that respect and I could not relax.

HumpHumpWhale · 09/12/2018 15:30

Honestly, I would think that since he was sitting next to you, it's unlikely someone tried to lure him away. I think it's most likely a simple case of wandering toddler. It's bloody terrifying when it happens, though. DD disappeared in an airport during the summer, and DS did it in a shopping centre. Same holiday. SO awful - but ultimately fine!

UpstartCrow · 09/12/2018 15:31

I'm so glad he's ok Flowers
I know its lovely when they are so innocent and trusting, but DS was a bolter and would try to go off with anyone that looked interesting. He would definitely have followed someone if they were eating sweets, so it may be that your DS wasn't lured, just curious.

patchysmum · 09/12/2018 15:32

It happened to me when mine was the same age ,the panic you feel is off the scale .We were at Blackpool pleasure beach and were on our way out .I stopped to look in a shop window and he was gone. Went back in and notified a member of staff it was the longest fifteen minutes of my life .It must happen a lot because they gave him a badge witch said I was lost at Blackpool pleasure beach .It does make you take extra special care .I think I held his hand till he was about ten lol

Sophia1984 · 09/12/2018 15:33

So glad he’s ok. The sweets comment could just be that he saw someone eating them and followed them or wanted some himself?

starzig · 09/12/2018 15:39

I hate seeing kids in busy town centres near Christmas must be so easy to get separated and lost.

UbiquitousDust · 09/12/2018 15:40

You must have been so scared but he is safe now.

If your spidey senses are going, then it is worth raising it with the shopping centre/police.

jessstan2 · 09/12/2018 15:43

Oh bless. What an awful split second.

Many of us will have experienced similar and also seen it happen, I did in a store once when I was shopping with cousin. A little boy appeared quite lost. He stayed with me while my cousin went to security but by the time she had done that, mum appeared, thank goodness.

Horrible isn't it? ((((hugs))))

Tutlefru · 09/12/2018 15:43

That must’ve been horrible. That feeling of dread is indescribable.

Glad all was well. You probably won’t forget about it a hurry. I find when something like that happens you end up going over and over it in your head.

Gin
Yohooo · 09/12/2018 15:54

I presume someone will check the CCTV.

Very scary situation.