Personalizing their stuff About This Page:

[Jajajuna]

How do you all feel about personalizing your kids' clothes, bags, etc... I like the idea of having their names on a t-shirt or something but then everyone says not to put there names on their security stuff like those silicone bracelets or dogtags. I'm confused and I'm not sure if putting their precious names on their shirts is worth the wierd feeling of having lots of strangers know their first names.

What do you think?

[ArielsMomto2]

I made ID cards for my two and put them in their fanny packs. That way if they got lost they could give the card to a CM, who would know how to reach us. I've not put their names in their clothes before.

[Jajajuna]

I mean like in a cute way. Like embroidering their names on a shirt under the Mickey Mouse head or something. I know lots of people do this, but it seems a bit contradictory, don't you think?

[wakegrrl]

DH and I talked about this and we decided neither of us were comfortable with having DS 6's name on his shirt. I think it's probably a bit overprotective, and I'm fairly positive that DS wouldn't go with anyone just because they called him by name...but better safe than sorry.

[tylerdylansmom]

My boys have dog tags that they where when we go anywhere. It has our cellphone #s on it incase they get lost. My oldest got lost in Busch Gardens Williamsburg he was 5 or 6 at the time. It was frightening. Now my boys where dogtags just in case. For the cuteness factor I love shirts with names on them but really for a safety factor doesn't really seem like it would help a great deal.

[coastgirl]

I have put dd's monogram on her backpack, which she loved, but I don't put their names anywhere obvious. The possibility of being caught off-guard, or being hestitant or confused if a stranger calls them by name was too worrying for me. But the monogram idea might be fun? I don't think my dd's head will jerk around to see who it is if someone yells, "Hey, BCN!"

[Jajajuna]

Originally Posted by coastgirl

I have put dd's monogram on her backpack, which she loved, but I don't put their names anywhere obvious. The possibility of being caught off-guard, or being hestitant or confused if a stranger calls them by name was too worrying for me. But the monogram idea might be fun? I don't think my dd's head will jerk around to see who it is if someone yells, "Hey, BCN!"

LOL! That's a cute idea though... I hadn't thought of that. The personalizing is really more for me, I think so I'll skip it except for initials. Thanks for the advice.

[5SOXFNZ]

Our kids had their names on shirts on our trip in June (we had 8 days worth of matching shirts) and I never felt weird about it. Quiet frankly, someone would have had to get past a VERY vigilant Mom and Dad to get anywhere close to being able to "lure" my kids away by saying their names. Not only that, we have been teaching "stanger danger" since a very early age so they wouldn't fall for it! LOL!!
Not to mention, if someone had stood next to our family for more than 2 minutes they would have heard me use all three children's names at least have 1000 times.
They loved the special attention they got from the CM's and now they have some personalized Disney keepsakes to wear all summer.
My kids also had little luggage tag type things attached to their belt loops with carbinears (sp?) with their name, age, our resort and my cell phone number. I was more worried about them getting separated from us then someone "taking" them.

[revral]

How about doing something like goofy for Goofy or mad for Mickey etc. under a pic of the appropriate character. Gives the cute look of a name under the character's pic without the safety concerns and as a bonus the characters would probably love it if you meet them.

[SARH7]

I'm kinda torn myself. My mom works for an embroidery company, so both kids have all kinds of things with their names on them. I try my best to teach stranger danger and we try to keep the best watch on the kids as possible...but dd is 6 and getting very brave and is starting to wander off at times. I am trying my best to nip it now.

In all reality, if someone wanted to take your kid and wanted to know their names to do it...all they'd have to do was watch you for a few minutes...how many times do you say your kid's names in an average hour??? Especially in WDW..."So and so..stop hitting your brother!" "So and so, put that back!"......"So and so, what do you want to eat?", "So and so," smile!"....etc....KWIM?? Not having their name embroidered on a shirt isn't really going to stop someone from learning yours kids names.

[hockeyguysmom]

Originally Posted by SARH7

I'm kinda torn myself. My mom works for an embroidery company, so both kids have all kinds of things with their names on them. I try my best to teach stranger danger and we try to keep the best watch on the kids as possible...but dd is 6 and getting very brave and is starting to wander off at times. I am trying my best to nip it now.

In all reality, if someone wanted to take your kid and wanted to know their names to do it...all they'd have to do was watch you for a few minutes...how many times do you say your kid's names in an average hour??? Especially in WDW..."So and so..stop hitting your brother!" "So and so, put that back!"......"So and so, what do you want to eat?", "So and so," smile!"....etc....KWIM?? Not having their name embroidered on a shirt isn't really going to stop someone from learning yours kids names.

I totally agree with this! I have tried not to have my kids wear items with their names on them but I am constantly saying their names so it would not take a "bad person" much effort to get their names if they wanted them.

My kids do have silicone wrist bands that they wear at WDW and other places where I am afraid they could get away from us but they do not have their names on them, just "if lost call" and both parents cell #s.

[ANGSWIN]

I have been so lucky with the name thing since my daughter's name is Ariel. Therefore, she has tons of Little Mermaid tshirts, jackets, and bags that have the Little Mermaid and her name (Ariel) on them. Therefore, she gets the pleasure of having her name on her stuff, but I get the security of knowing that strangers don't know it is her name! Ha! Ha!

[Fanessa4]

Ive made shirts for my kids with their names on it. I dont see anything wrong with it. I also taught my children if a total stranger calls your name and its not me, do NOT under any circumstances go to them. This applies everywhere. In all honesty, the odds of any child being "taken" from WDW is rare. There are so many castmembers and other families around to aid your child I feel right at home and safe. I'm more relaxed in WDW then I am in Chuck E Cheeses. But if you dont feel comfortable then just use their Initials or simply a favorite character.
I like another parent suggested is give them cards to hand to a CM if lost. I included our cell#'s and hotel we are staying at. I also told my children if you do get lost and cant find a CM, go into the closest store or a mother (with kids) and ask for their help. Mothers intuition always kicks in and your child will be safe. (No offense guys)

[stinkerbelle5186]

I think it would be very cute! But.... i too have been very vigilant with teaching my son the importance of stranger danger, putting his name anywhere visible on him i wont do. My rationality is that if GOD FORBID something like that were to happen even though i have taught my child just how important stranger danger is, i would never be able to live with myself. It is a matter of choice, but more i think your comfort level and the age of your children. As you can tell i fall more on to the paranoid side... lol.
I see you are interested in making personalized stuff for the kids... sometimes kids will get a kick MORE out of helping with the decorating of there clothing / backpacks etc than their name on their shirt...

[Colexis Mom]

My kids had Disney sweatshirts with their names embroidered on them, and I never felt nervous about it!