Before Rachel was born, both my boys were about 2 and 4 years old, I had endless worries about my boys getting lost. They only knew part of their names. To them, their parents are 'Mummy' and 'Daddy'. They didn't know where they live and their phone numbers and such. If they get lost or worst, if kidnapped, they would be lost forever to me. I can't stand the thought. I tried things like giving tags but that didn't sustain. And why not my girl now... coz she is right under my nose!!
Typically, my husband didn't have this mother's worry. My in-laws are the ones who are positive such things will not happen to them. I'm those who think first and then worry, and then go for prevention. Sigh!
My husband realized and had a scare once. We were at Giant. Ryan was already 6 years old. Most of the time, we will be taking 3 trolleys ... sorry guys :) ... one to put Ryan in it, another for Raymund and last one for Rachel. They are very active kids. This is almost like making sure that they don't run around. Guess it didn't always work. You see, my husband was pushing the trolley with Ryan in it. He stopped at one alley and went to the next to get something. My maid was somewhere else. When he got back to the trolley, Ryan was missing. He freaked out and ran from alley to alley looking for him. Meanwhile, I was at an alley some distance away (usually we split in Giant) and didn't know about this. I was shopping and then I heard Ryan's voice calling for me and I answered. Then he appeared running towards me. He didn't even know that he was 'lost'. Neither nor I. I did my usual shopping and my husband didn't tell me the scare till we were back in the car. He was so scared and he was anticipating a bashing from me especially when I have always been nagging about children's safety to him. Boy, was I angry and at the same time. relieved! Apparently, Ryan climbed out of the trolley when his Daddy didn't answer his calls and went looking for me. Gosh! What if it was a kidnap?! Ryan was smart enough to come looking and shouting for me. And thank God, I recognize my own boy's voice. What if I didn't shout out my answer? Shivers!
A young child will probably know his name at best. Maybe his parents names. Address and contacts - I doubt it. When I see lost children in malls, they normally cry their eyes out and whisper their names. If we are lucky, a good Samaritan will probably bring the child to the info counter and announce the child's description. A kidnap... the child can't communicate... he is quite certainly lost forever! Terrorized, can't see their parents, no more warmth and love, live in fear, losing some limbs, begging, sold to prostitution, you name it ... have I frightened you enough? As the saying goes, it is better safe than sorry.
I had my boys memorize their names, their parents' names and most importantly, our handphone numbers. I went to the extent of teaching them how to use a phone and handphone. I even gave my eldest boy and extra handphone with a prepaid SIM card to take with him in a carrying pouch whenever he goes out with us. Most of the time, he is the one wondering off while the 2 youngest were carried or watched by maids. I have erased all numbers and programmed only 2 numbers - 'Daddy' and 'Mummy'. Even if a stranger picks it up, they will know who to contact. At least there is something.
No doubt that after knowing our handphone numbers, we get lotsa calls from my kids...just for the fun of calling. The way I see it, no harm and quite entertaining :)
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