I lost DS1 (age 4) a while ago when we were in a large, open, flat park with a play area and playing fields etc. Couldn't understand how he could disappear from my sight as I was getting ds2 (age 2) ready to go, gathering all our stuff etc.
I looked in the cafe/toilets etc then started asking everyone around to help, especially teenagers who could run fast! I am short-sighted so would have found it quite difficult to spot him in the distance. lots of people were looking for him and a dad went away down the shore.
I just kept thinking, how will I tell Dh that I have lost PFB? It was very difficult as I had to carry DS2 and my bag with car keys etc. I was seconds away from calling the police when a couple of young teenage girls and a boy ran over to say they thought they'd found him.
he had jumped on his scooter and up to the skatepark to play with the "bigger boys". I ran over, crying, grabbed him, hugged him and gave him a row at the same time. I thanked the girls profusely, tbh, I was ready to pull off my rings and give them to them (I had on 2 lovely cubic zirconia rings which were about £100 each. I do have the real thing but just like wearing them sometimes).
I went back to the play area and thanked everyone who had helped as some were still looking. I went to the cashline, took out some money and went back, looking for the girls but they were gone. The following week, we were at the skate park and I recognised the boy who came to tell me he'd been found. I chatted to him and thanked him very much, gave him 320, he was very very grateful. I asked him his name, who the girls were, his school etc and said I would contact his HT to commend them. I wrote a lenghty email praising them and saying how responsible etc they were. Didn't get any reply from the school at all which I thought was a bit rude .
When I got home that day,I had to go to bed, I was so traumatised.
After that (and after considering laser eye surgery) I dress them both in a bright top and preferably the same. I normally wear something bright myself anyway, but it helps them to spot me. last week, we were at a local event which was quite busy (I don't normally go to these things without another adult) and they both had on matching bright tops.
DS1 wandered off out of my vision and I quickly asked a few people if they'd seen a boy wearing the same top as ds1, who was with me. He was quickly found and was easily spotted as a number of people commented how cute they both looked in their matching shirts.
At a very very busy soft play centre a few weeks ago, we arrived with my friend and her DN and DN (8 and 13). DS1 disappeared off before we managed to find a seat but the security is fab so I wasn't worried, thought I'd find him once we'd dumped our coats, wellies etc Tried to find him but no sign, was a big place. As i said though, I knew he was safe and was just off playing, other 3 children couldn't find him either. (a big place with lots of levels, I can normally keep an eye on them no bother but it was mobbed cos of the rain).
Friend and I got a cup of tea and I literally just said, when I finish this, I'll need to go and get DS1. There was an announcement on the tannoy asking for my by name to go to reception, I jumped up and ran expecting my wee one to be crying etc.
he was fine, just couldn't find me (we were at a table at the very back which we had to squeeze into) so he had "asked a lady with a tshirt on with the picture of the big slide" and told her my full name. I thought this was very good for a boy who had just turned 3! I was very pleased with him for being so sensible.
The staff there are great, I thanked them very much and explained that I had been looking for him twice already (as I said, I knew he couldn't get out, unlike some places I have been to. And won't go back to.) He wasn't bothered, just said he was missing me and because he had run off when we got there, didn't know where our table was.
OP, i don't think YABU. In all of these instances, I was so grateful to have them back and to have been given help, that I just automatically thanked people profusely.
another long and rambling post from midnight lurking cubbie!