Lost my dd at the park!

[Cantsleeppast3am]

Big fun fair and artificial beach, turn my back for a SECOND and she was gone! Disbelief at first, then real panic took over. She's 3.
Took about 5 minutes to find her, she'd wandered off.
We're supposed to be going to Bournemouth just me and her in a few weeks and now I don't won't to go.
I'm going to need a big drink tonight!

Sorry you had a scare. Why won’t you go though?

You’ve lost here here, so not going won’t help you not losing her.

Keeping an eye on her, here or there, will.

Get some reins for her. We all know you can't look away from a toddler, even for half a second!

Ps I hate reins but better than losing her

Oh gosh what a fright. My 2 year old runs off but I usually see it. I almost lost him at the park the other day. I had my eyes off him for literally about 3 seconds while I was picking up the baby and he had escaped from the playground and was sat down on the grass. I’ve never felt panic like it. Glad you found her, it’s so scary.

Legend has it if you say "reins" 3 times, @smartplay appears to tell you you're a shit parent.

It's the worst feeling in the world isn't it?

Take a deep breath and try not to let it spoil your holiday.

As well as reigns you can get bands with your phone number on, or even write your number on her arm, for when at busy places.

oh OP what a shock. Worst feeling in the world when you can't see them. My eldest DD does this thing were she stands directly behind me (shes 8). She will move from stood next to me to right behind me so that when I turn around shes gone from vision.
I have no idea why, she doesn't mean to worry me but that feeling in your stomach when you realise you can't see them is awful.
I have a panic and when I spin around there she is behind me smiling. I swear she's shaved years off my life.

Second getting reigns!

Buy a GPS kids watch or strap and you can track them on your phone.

Don't feel bad my mum once left me in the shopping trolley at Sainsbury's after putting my twin in the car, and driving home.

She only noticed when at home my dad asked where the 'other one was'

I was being looked after in the managers office :)

It was really scary literally every little girl seemed to have a similar dress on, it was like she was everywhere but nowhere?? If that makes sense?

Fab advice Monday I'll look into that.

@MmmBlowholes

It happens!
Scary at the time, but very common.
Don't let it stop you going to Bournemouth though, have that drink and calm yourself down.

I lost my 7 year old once. A good 10 minutes with me hysterical and people helping to search. It's the most horrendous feeling, I threw up once we got home. Try to focus on the positive that you have her safe and sound and try not to let it put you off going to Bournemouth. I have reins for my 2 year old when we are out and about

MMMBlowholes

I lost DS (2.5 yo) in a soft play recently. Possibly only for 5 minutes but it felt like a year. The softplay in question is in an industrial estate, surrounded by HGVs and agricultural vehicles. The main doors were broken so we were all using the fire escape in the part room to come in and out. Very easy for a child to escape. I was with my friend who's pregnant and has twins and one of her girls got stuck on a piece of equipment so I went to rescue her and then DS was gone.

Every child looked like him suddenly. I completely forgot what he was wearing. I couldn't even hear my own voice amongst the toddler screams. It was honestly terrifying. But I was the same, at first it's disbelief, almost funny! Then you realise that they're actually gone and everything stops. I kept DS on his reins for a week solidly after that.

It's horrible OP but reins are a good idea. We've got a cool backpack pair so he has a few toys and books in there too.

Oh my god bianca! My dd has a pink dress on today and so did every other 3yo in the park

When I was young (I was a 'wanderer') my mum used to buy the brightest coloured swimsuit, cardigan and T shirt she could find in the shops. So when I 'wandered', she could pick me out of a crowd of others.

So really really fluorescent colours do come into their own, sometimes. She couldn't use reins on me, apparently, I went too fast....

Legend has it if you say "reins" 3 times, @smartplay appears to tell you you're a shit parent

Maybe a wrist strap for those type of outings. They have a bit of length on them.

But yes, florescent clothing can be a big help.

legend has it if you say "reins" 3 times, @smartplay appears to tell you you're a shit parent.

I always dress DD in bright colours. She usually pretty noticeable amongst the drab coloured boys clothing and frilly pink girls stuff.

Ds has a bright orange coat (he is 9 and autistic) people often comment “you won’t lose him in that” yup that’s the idea!

Totally agree with bright coloured clothing. Quite difficult though as most little boys clothes are blue/grey/yellow and little girls get pink/purple/white.

A few years ago I was in John Lewis and a woman went up to the till and said in quite possibly the smallest, most terrified voice I've ever heard "I can't find my daughter". An announcement went out over the speakers and the store was essentially closed down with immediate effect.

My mum found her minutes later hiding in a rack of clothes. I'll never forget the look on the woman's face when she knew she was safe.

I was also beyond impressed with how John Lewis reacted. I can only presume they are trained on what to do and have procedures to follow.

Large glass for you tonight OP

What about something on these lines? That way you can ‘sell it’ to her as a cool backpack she can take a toy/drink/book with her on outings and you get the peace of mind that comes with the reins attachment?

Losing them for a few minutes is an indescribable feeling.