To stick an address label onto DS's back

[CruCru]

When we go to the zoo or a museum, I stick an address label with DS's name and my mobile number onto his back. He is 2 years 9 months and a bolter (and a sprinter). I also have an 8 month old DD so can't always catch up with him in an instant.

It's getting some funny looks (off people with children who don't run off) but it makes me feel more comfortable taking him out.

Obviously I do keep hold off him when we are by a road but I like to let him walk by himself if we are somewhere more enclosed.

You can buy wrist bands that you enter your details on and these can be reused. I'd worry that the sticky label would come off. I don't think YABU, DD wasn't a bolter but if she had have been I would have done similar.

I used a luggage tag, attached to the back of DS's trousers, a few times.

Mostly people laughed, and I heard a few people say it was a good idea. DS is fast and small, so easy to lose for a moment or two (only once so far for any length of time!). Some people don't know how lucky they are to not have bolters!

If it makes you more comfortable, go for it. If he gets lost, he will be returned to you much more quickly. I've seen custom fake tattoos with phone numbers as well.

I used to write my mobile number on DS arm although a wrist band would probably be better! I never put his name though because I worried if he met anyone dodgy who knew his name he'd happily wander off with them. That probably says more about me than anything else though.

I bought a pack of wristbands from ebay for my dc for when we went to London for a weekend last year. I have 3 dc with ASD, 2 of them are great at trying to get lost and I had images of them getting seperated from us on the tube.

I wouldn't give you a funny look, but the address label on the back made me smile, he would be like a little parcel :)

I'd use one of the wristbands instead because labels can come off. Also, I wouldn't put his name on it because, from an abduction pov, I wouldn't want strangers to know his name iyswim (may be overthinking it!)

oops - xpost with WilsonFrickett about name paranoia!

I have the wrist bands, my boys call them their Ben 10 bands and know if they get lost to find a mummy with a buggy and ask her to ring the number on the back. It's never happened yet, but it is good for peace of mind.

If you are really worried your DS will run off you could get a Children's/Toddler Wrist Link Safety Strap.
At least the child cannot run off, although I know some Mums would be up in arms about having a child 'on a lead'

Personally - I would rather that than lose a very young child.

I like the idea of something but I'm another one who doesn't like my kids name on display.. I don't even like personalised hats/scarves etc. The thought of a dodgy stranger speaking to my kid by name gives me the heebie jeebies.

Some children need a lead Davsmum

I also put a harness on dc4 aged 5 when we were on the tube, I wonder if some people were foaming about it? I don't care though, there was a real risk of him getting lost.

YANBU - Agree that a wristband might be better for not falling off. And maybe no name either. I don't think it is paranoia to worry about the name. Years ago, in my country, little kids would have hats with their name printed on. These are now not used anymore for obvious reasons.

A park we visit gives out sticky labels in summer. You write your child's name and your mobile phone number on the label and there is a second sticker to cover it. I think it is a great idea!

Also a good tip I heard is to take a photo of each child before you leave and if they get lost you can check what they are wearing and show what they look like.

When I take my little nieces to v crowded places, I always write my mobile number on their arms (and make sure they know where/what it is, to show someone!)

When I get name tags made up for school/nursery, I include my mobile number on the label. My children knew that if they got lost, my number would be inside their shoe. Important cuddly toys also got labelled.

I write my mobile number on ds's arm in pen when we are at a big event, and he's 8.

In the past I've managed to pick up the wristbands for free from the information desks in shopping centres. They are usually very nice about you taking a handful.
The many old mobile phones we have lying around the house come in handy with a cheap sim on full days out as well, along with backpacks/reins.

It is a great idea, and will also make people think of Paddington bear!

They do this as standard at Legoland. A sticker with a mobile number on stuck on the child's front.

I still do this with dss and dsd (10 and 8) when we go somewhere new and busy!

REALLY bad idea to out their name on anything visible as then any potential threats know their name instantly. If you teach young kids not to tall to strangers and then said stranger knows their name it is really confusing. This headbands and baseball cap with names on are awful

I've written my mobile number in pen on their arms at crowded events .

The wristbands are good but they are not reusable. Though you won't be using one every day of course! The name tags I have for coats etc (for nursery) also have my mobile number on them, so could find me that way too.

I like these wristbands. Cheap, discreet, don't fall off and come in lots of snazzy colours!

Also find them handy for parents to leave their phone number when DCs are unaccompanied at parties.

Actually here are some reusable ones...
www.safetots.co.uk/Going-Out-&-About/ID-Bands/c107_942/index.html