Toddler id

[bangandthechocolateeggisgone]

If the unthinkable happened and your toddler wandered off in a public place [shudder] and the child is 2-4 years they are unlikely to remember addresses or numbers so I'm wondering what's available? I've seen bracelets, dog tags, even temporary tattoos but I'm sure these would be removed by my LOs at first opportunity and tattoo seems like a bit of a faff. I'd really like a pin or badge which I can put my phone number on and just keep on childs coat without having to remember to put it on everytime we go out. Are these available to buy or do I need to get a badge making kit??? Or anyone got any other solutions please? What do you all use for this purpose?

I make damn sure that I'm watching my dcs all the time...I wouldnt want private info like that on my dcs clothes iyswim.

put your telephone nuber in their clothes label.
giantkatestacks no one can watch their dc's all the time

i had laminated cards with phone no's on, however, when the school burnt down, her cards were in her coat & bag in school and no one official knew how to get in touch.
Typical! (my mum was in the village hair dressers and picked her up before i heard about it as it happened!)

well thats true obv but I suppose I never really have a situation where my dcs are wandering about - they are always in the buggy or I am carrying them or have a hand on their hoods or what not...I would rather prevent the situation than worry about them wandering off.

And the telephone number or whatever isnt going to stop them walking into the road/something dangerous which would be my first concern anyway.

I like the laminated card idea, I could get some made up. Yes of course we all watch our kids like hawks when we are out. But just trying to be cautious. We all wear seatbelts in cars, even if we've never had a crash before or consider ourselves careful drivers, it's just wise practice because you never know what can happen for whatever the reason.

My dd wears an id bracelet when she goes on trips or without me.
Its from America and engraved with her name, our address & our mobiles.
Yeah yeah giving out her details but actually it has a kind of "trick" release which is a real sod to get off, the idea is a stranger wouldnt be able to get it off....
We do fly and go on the tunnel etc and it's just a form of id incase anything did ever happen, plus it's like a psychological thing for me, if she is wearing it, nothing will happen!
I do have some single use bracelets in the cupboard from when she was younger

Message withdrawn

Maybe I'm just a bit lax then - I would do it at a festival but not really just out and about...I suppose we dont really go anywhere busy otherwise.

If we go to the science museum or some such then he doesnt tend to wander off and he knows his name and my name now anyway.

Maybe its more of an issue if you've got more than one toddling about at the same time - I can see that too.

When we went to a very busy place recently I wrote my number on ds's arm very small, under his sleeve. He knew it was there...and it was in permanent ink but it did wash off 2 days later.

The temporary tattoo idea is something that's taken off in America - it looked quite useful for things like beach trips where kids are more likely to wander off.

Linek to tattoo website.

By giantkatestacks on Sun 05-Apr-09 22:31:33
"I make damn sure that I'm watching my dcs all the time..."

Just wait untill one of your DCs does disapear for 60 seconds....it will be the worst minute of your life, and can happen to any parent.

Legoland give you stickers to write your mobile number on -- I put one on DS's t-shirt under his coat or jumper so that he's unlikely to just fiddle it off and it's not immediately obvious but he knows where it is to flash at officials if he gets lost.

I've thought about just writing the number on his arm in felt tip, and might do that at another theme park without the sticker scheme, but have never bothered with anything like that just for general out-and-aboutness.

I have taught dd (nearly 3) our name and address and that if she gets lost she should find a lady and tell her.

Of course, I don't know if it came to the crunch that she would definitely be able to remember all this for a stranger, but she's fairly outgoing.

Otherwise, I think a sticker on the inside of clothes is a good idea if going to a theme park etc.

Of course its awful Lynette - am not a complete idiot - I just dont see how this will mitigate the things I most worry about - in a safe situation it will merely speed up the return of my dcs from a member of the public/official/shopworker.

Which is great obv but not saving them from something dangerous (ie cars/drowning etc) nor a weirdo/other kids etc.

I have wristbands for my kids...write my name and mobile on the inside and on the outside it is printed with "If I'm lost,look inside"

www.identifyme.co.uk

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Found and ordered some of these which are really reasonable and free delivery here's the link

sticker between shoulder blades on T-shirt works fairly well, kid can't reach it to remove. I tend to just put my mobile number on, no name, or maybe my name. He know both parents names and we are working on his address, so far he can tell people what town he lives in.
We do the same with wrist bands sometimes, esp busy places / festivals/ abroad etc. I'm more diligent if we are in non english speaking country, boy is very fair and in Denmark for ex people assume he is local and speak to him in Danish which he understands not. He fast turns from I can't find my mum... to WARRRRGH, I don;t understand you WARRRGH.

Just to let you know that we are doing temporary child safety tattoos (add mobile number etc) - posted from UK same day ordered:

www.pleasecallmum.com