May 3, 2009 2:32 PM
Child Safety: tattoos, alarms, GPS tracking, DVD and books
Every parent knows that feeling when you lose sight of your child for an instant in a public place. And the panic that sets in when minutes go by. With 12 kids, I must confess that we've gone through a few losts-and-founds ourselves.
What makes it worse is when your child isn't old enough to communicate essential information - or has a disability that makes it more problematic. With 4 kids with Down syndrome (3 adopted), I really was glad when several months ago Stacy sent me an email about Safety Tattoos.
I made a note on my calendar to do a round-up of special safety products which might be helpful to families of young children or children with disabilities. So, starting with the tattoos, here are product links to Amazon, where you can read descriptions and customer reviews and probably find good prices if there is anything that would make your summer safer:
In the tracking device department, I'm hoping they will come out soon with something more affordable. But I think the alarm wristwatch is a good idea.
Also, while I understand how hard it is to prepare your child for an unsafe world - wouldn't we prefer to keep them innocent and unafraid? - there are some teaching tools listed above to help giv eyou some ideas on how to open the discussion.
Comments
Whenever we traveled, especially flying overseas, I'd write an accessible cell phone # on the inside forearm of my kids (or belly!) in permanent marker.
One of my children was especially prone to anxiety, so I didn't want to talk about getting "lost." So, we would practice, "If you don't see Mommy, what do you do? You find another mommy and say, "Hi, I can't find MY mommy," and show her the phone number."
Being careful with wording, but doing some role-playing, seemed to help prepare the kids with a script and tools if we were separated.
Posted by: TulipGirl | May 3, 2009 4:23 PM
thank you for this! this summer we will be traveling back stateside to visit family for the first time since we moved 4 years ago and i am always up for learning of the new thigns out there to help protect our children. Large airports always make me nervous with small children. Since my older girls are similiar in size I usually try to dress them identical, so if anything happened to one I had a "living model" on one sister of what clothes the other child was wearing.
by the way, we bough the stranger safety dvd and the "right touch" book a couple years ago on your recommendation, and the kids have loved the video! even today I will occasionally hear them singsong "safe side super-chick" through the house. I have recommended the video to several other family's as well. It is very well done for informing children without frightening them. :)
Posted by: kristy in germany | May 3, 2009 4:37 PM
I know that a lot of people don't like the idea of harnesses. I was one of them until my son was born. He went through a stage where he thought it was funny to run when I said stop. We practiced learning to obey at home, but we also bought this little monkey backpack/harness when we went out. http://www.amazon.com/Eddie-Bauer-Harness-Buddy-Monkey/dp/B001OB9LBI/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t We used it any time we were out in a crowd.
He loves it. We don't use it as much anymore, but it was really great.
Posted by: lauren | May 3, 2009 5:01 PM
I too really highly recommend "The Safe Side" video. It is so well done, the teaching is clear, but there is lots of humor that appeals to young children. They learn about safety without being frightened. There were several things on the video that I hadn't thought about teaching my children.
Posted by: Amy | May 3, 2009 10:58 PM
I found this child gps tracking device to be the best on the market.
Amber Alert seems to be well known and trusted source.
Posted by: Tony@gps child tracking device | May 4, 2009 1:54 PM
