Putting a sticker on my DC's stuff has been so helpful

[Anonymous]

This is just a PSA because it has helped us out so much, but it's a little counter-intuitive because it's not the usual name-of-kid sticker.

I bought a personalized label pack (I used labeldaddy.com but there are lots of vendors)

On the label, instead of name and phone, I had them print:

IF FOUND, PLEASE CALL OR TEXT (my cell number). THANK YOU!

The reason I had them put *my* cell number instead of my kid's, is because one of these labels goes on your kid's cell phone case, so you have to use a different phone number.

I stuck those labels on her phone, glasses case, backpack, favorite jacket, purse, computer, iPad, that iPad pencil-thing, beats case, EACH credit or debit card, medical card--basically every item in her wallet, and then on the wallet itself--and back of her Driver's License. (I would also do a key ring but it's not applicable in our situation). Anything that leaves the dorm. (I didn't do the following, but also recommend all notebooks/textbooks)

I think I've only received three calls total over the last year, (one being hilarious, a young man found one of the stickers and called the number but it wasn't attached to anything. We had a nice chat though). One time was when she left her phone in one of the dorm cafeterias. I texted her friend who lived on her floor who went and told her, and she got it back right away.

However; today those labels paid off in spades. A guy called me from downtown Chicago with her wallet containing her drivers license and debit card. He volunteered, "Yeah someone gave it to me but I don't want to keep passing it around. Thank goodness it had this sticker on it!"

You know, a happy side effect of using these labels is everyone you talk to is so friendly and wants to help.

Btw this sounds odd but the stickers also ended up on three of her (back home local) friends' phone cases, as they liked the idea (probably because it wasn't *their* moms' number, so they could get the protection but not feel helicoptered)

Anyways today it just saved us from having to get a new drivers license (and not from Illinois) and canceling her debit card, etc. So just want to pass it on.

[Anonymous]

You should cancel the debit card anyway... too many people have had access to the number, exp. date, etc.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should just teach your kid to keep better track of her things.

[Anonymous]

There is something a little too "campish" about this to me.
And, TBH, it sounds like a thinly disguised ad from the sticker company.

But if it is true and has helped your family, then it was nice of you to share the tip.

[Anonymous]

+1 we use them too and people are usually so nice and happy to return stuff. It's just that most people don't know how to help since stuff isn't labeled.

Also, recommend the Tile for kids who have trouble keeping track.

[Anonymous]

Wait you did this for a college student?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait you did this for a college student?

Don't worry, I'm sure she'll do it again once the kid graduates and is commuting to work.

[Anonymous]

Does your daughter go to school in Chicago? Or did the wallet just get passed around so much it eventually ended up in Chicago? Your post wasn't clear.

[Anonymous]

Land the helicopter momma.

[Anonymous]

Ha! My kid has severe ADHD and I might just do that - especially for his Epipen case!

You've got to do what you've got to do...

[Anonymous]

OP here. I anticipated the helicopter comments, but decided to post this anyways because it helped so much today. It's such an easy thing to do, and it's such a nightmare if you lose your wallet or phone.

I mean, if your kid never loses anything, that's great! Mine periodically loses things, so this is a nice stop-gap.

re 19:04, my kid has ADHD too. I think this can really be helpful for assisting ADHD kids in fledging.

17:17 yes my kid goes to school in Chicago but we are on the west coast. She's stayed there over the summer to work.

[Anonymous]

Did you mean to post to the Special Needs forum, or the Preschool Forum?

[Anonymous]

When I was in college, I accidentally left my wallet/key on my dining tray and then put the tray’s contents in the garbage chute.

Know what that taught me?

1) Take care of my things
2) How to get a replacement dorm key
3) How to get a replacement college ID
4) How to get a replacement driver’s license

I don’t think I ever even told my parents that story.

[Anonymous]

Her eye glasses case? Her favorite jacket? The consequences of losing them is being more careful or don’t buy expensive stuff.

If it works with something like a phone or wallet, ok.

If she loses stuff that frequently, freeze credit to avoid identity theft issues.

[Anonymous]

I do the same with my things. Tennis racquet, phone, glasses case, coats, etc. Even though I don't lose things often, it's wonderful when I do and they get returned. Ignore the haters who are so responsible that they never lose things - most of us live in the real world!