Reply to Do you put your kids entire name on his/her backpack? Is that still a safety hazard?

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Reply to "Do you put your kids entire name on his/her backpack? Is that still a safety hazard?"

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[quote=Anonymous]OK, this was one of the rules I followed, until I realized its kind of ridiculous.  But then, I always thought the rule was about the first name.  We put my son's first name on his, and pretty much have to if we want him to come home with the right one.

The reason I think its a stupid rule is that a stranger could easily just overhear your child's name. Think of how many times your kids name is said, by you, by friends, by teachers.  So it makes much more sense to teach the kid that they are only ever to go home with "safe" adults and tell them who those safe adults are.  Don't just say "adults you know", because that could be anyone - the gym teacher, the crossing guard, the guy who sells candy at the store.  You give them specific names. And then in special situations, you tell them, "Owen's mom is going to pick you up today - we have given her permission."

When my son was younger, I even ran through the scenarios - what if stranger says "come in my car, your mom is hurt".  What if they say "I have candy".  And then I'd have him scream "NO" (he loved the screaming part).  I tell you, I shouldn't laugh, but it took weeks to get my son to agree to not go into a car for candy.   He kept insisting that he really wanted that candy.

Maybe I would avoid the first and last name, but I'm not sure that makes much of a difference.  Teach your kids to make the right decisions, regardless if someone knows their name.

As far as the "lost in the crowd".  We plan for places we would meet.  And we point out who he would go to go for help.  And we emphasize that you never leave the place you are at.  If someone is helping you, they will not ask you to leave the store, park, etc.  [/quote]

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