“Lost!” 12 Tips to prevent or prepare your child for it
It can happen to the best of us, even to the most well-behaved kids. In a big mall, in a crowd or store, in theme parks and even in your neighborhood, kids will wander off and get lost. Older children often don’t think they are lost but really are.
Getting lost is a scary ordeal for both parent and child. And time if of the essence when looking for a lost child.
Here are 12 proactive tips I dug up so you can prevent it, or prepare for it in case it happens.
1. Define what “lost” is. Preset a time limit with your child ahead of time to define what “lost” means. Is the child lost if Mom or Dad can’t be found in 1 minute, 5 minutes, or for a small child, ten counts?
2. Practice a “in-case-you’re-lost” drill, and provide instructions upon arrival. At home, before the outdoor event, go over instructions with your child. Play different scenarios to teach your child how to cope with being separated from you.
Pre-arrange a designated meeting place with your whole family. When both parents have to separate with children in tow, use that spot to come back and reunite. This way, you are teaching your child to respect a pre-arranged place for everyone.
When going on train or bus rides, it is especially important to instruct your child before you get to the station. Stick with you and hold your hands at all times. Buses and especially trains can become surprisingly crowded and messy in no time at all. Instruct your child beforehand to get off the next stop and wait either near the ticket booth or some other familiar place from the previous stop in case you get separated.
In a seated event, give your child his ticket stub, so someone can lead them back to their seats.
3. Train your child to be able to identify a trusted authority, such as a policeman, or the cashier in a store, or another mommmy. When going out to a crowded place, ask your child or point to them who these people may be. And tell him to go to people who are around other people, and not to those hanging by themselves.
4. Dress children in bright, colorful clothes. This way, you can easily spot them in a crowd. I’ve seen this in theme parks and I think this is a great idea - have the whole family dress in identical clothes.
5. Avoid name tags and clothes with kids’ names on them. Children are more likely to trust someone who knows their names.
6. (BUT) Do carry a contant information on your child. Name, emergency contact numbers such as your cell phone, medical alert if your child has medical needs. But do not place the I.D. in a visible place such as on the t-shirt. Rather, have your child wear it as a bracelet, around the waist, or hung on the neck (tucked inside the shirt). And once the child is old enough to remember, have him memorize his name, address and phone number.
7. Carry a recent photo and description of each child. It’s the most important way to help police, guards and others to look for him.
8. Know what YOU must do immediately. Do not go too far from the last place you saw your child, as chances are, he might still be nearby. If you believe that your child is not temporarily lost, call the police or contact store/park authority. Most public places have some plan on dealing with lost children, so you’re best resource is to approach the customer service or lost and found desk. Then have a family member go back to the meeting place, or inform an officer about that.
9. Remind your child not to go looking for you on his/her own. Instead, teach him to immediately find an authority or another mommy and ask for help. And to stay put in public places. For example, teach them not to go out of the store or park to find you elsewhere. If he can find the meeting place and you’re not there, have him stay put. Assure your child before hand (in the drill) that YOU will go looking for him, and you will be back to that place.
10. Teach your child to walk away from uncomfortable situations. If your child can interact and understand adults, and someone approaches him, teach them what to say and walk away if they feel uncomfortable. Tell him it’s OK to scream and attract attention from other people.
11. Reinforce good behavior. If you went to a public place and your child didn’t get lost, praise him for following your instructions and sticking with you. Reinforce what the drill was again and tell him what he did right.
12. Celebrate reunions. At this point, your anxiety of losing him may be replaced with the anger of your child not following instructions. Stop yourself from yelling and becoming angry! Your child might choose to remain “lost” next time rather than face your anger. Instead, show your thanks and relief for getting him back. Once calm and in the comfort of home, seriously discuss what happened, and what you BOTH can do to prevent being separated in the future.
[sources: Hints and Things; Kids Harford County magazine]
Tags: lost, prevent, prepare, tips, children, safety, outdoor, travel
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POSTED IN: Safe Travel
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