Lighthouse Thoughts

Safety First

Sooner or later it happens to all of us, you turn around in the store and your child is no longer in view. Your breathe catches in your throat, you start to perspire, and just at the first wave of nausea, you hear a little voice say “Mom, look what I found!”

Unfortunately, the reality is that children do sometimes get lost or separated from there parents; especially in large crowds, if you have more than once child, and if they are prone to wandering off. As an adoptive parent I am probably more paranoid than the general population, but also more aware especially during those early years together that our children may be more at risk because they are more prone to indiscriminate friendliness and processing attachment. There are many things you can do to help keep your mind at ease so you can enjoy your time together: 

  • Purchase a under-the-clothing money bag with a note that contains emergency contact information.  
  • Put your business car/ or hotel business card or a note with additional contact info in their pockets. (You may want to pin it in.)
  • Purchase hospital ID bracelets and write emergency contact info on them.
  • Write your cell phone number on child’s arm with permanent marker, It will wash off- in a few days.
  • All adults and older children carry cell phones.
  • Hold hands when walking in crowds or crossing the street, or lose walking privileges.  
  • Use a safety harness for young toddlers.
  • For outside actives after dark, take glow bracelets and glow necklaces for the kids to wear so you can see them better.
  • Teach your child how to identify a Mom with children, whom they can ask for help.
  • Review rules before you leave, and help them identify people they may encounter that they can ask for assistance: a police office, lifeguard, zookeeper, flight attendant, etc.  



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