Personalizing Kids' Items and Safety

RCH151

Hi All,

 I found a really cute toddler backpack at PBK but it looks kind of plain unless you personalize it with your kid's name or initials.

Am I paranoid in thinking that I shouldn't put my son's name on it out of fear that a stranger would be able to know and use his name?

oparcm

I only use initials for anything she'd wear out of the house.  I personalized her chair, her bathrobe, etc but not backpacks or jackets.  Just initials.

babylove19

Personally, I wouldn't put ds name on it. I'd be ok with initials though.

sarahjared

Initials would be fine but I would never do a full name.  Too easy for someone to say the child's name, act like they know the child, and get the child to go with them.  Scary. 

DandelionMom

I don't put names on their backpacks or coats.  I think initials are fine.

cristiana

I put DD's name on her backpack and lunchbox for kindergarten. I think her stuff getting mixed up with someone elses or taken is more likely than anything else.  If you're concerned about it, I'd just use initials.

JOEBunny

I think this is overly paranoid.  First, is your toddler really going to be out of your site?  Do you really think a predator won't hear you calling his name if that is how he is going to "get" him.  You are more than 1000% more likely to back over your child in your driveway than have him abducted by a stranger.  I just don't think a name on a backpack is something that will make a difference.

tanda627

My best friend bought a backpack from PBK and put her name on it. At first I wasn't sure about it but then decided that she is taking it to preschool and will not be walking down the street or anything with it.

shopgirl78

My friend bought DD's backpack and had her name embroidered on it.   DD will use it at preschool.  I will be dropping her off and DH will be picking her up.   She will not be out of ours sight long or at all.  When she starts walking to school (seriously its in our backyard, I can watch her the whole way there) I wouldn't put it on there.   She will be older when she can walk to school though.  

hopefulmom

I never have a problem personalizing things with my kid's names because they are always with me.  I was not the type of mom who left them at practice or anything and they always went to private school...so there was no bus stop issue or anything.  I think it could be a safety issue if your child walks to school or home from school.

Starr_Mom

I personalized DS's backpack, but he only uses it at school. I thought that was an easy way the teachers could distinguish his stuff from the others in his class.

Jen2004

Mine have little bags with their names on them but I use them for going over to family member's houses for family parties or things like that, they don't walk around the stores or airport wearing them.

If it's something your using for taking back and forth to DC, a friend's, family member's then do their name. Anything else I say no.

Bellisimo

Never, ever, ever put your kids name on any items (unless it's on the care tag on the inside so that DC knows who it belongs to).  I do monograms instead.  Never their names.

Bellisimo

JOEBunny:

I think this is overly paranoid.  First, is your toddler really going to be out of your site?  Do you really think a predator won't hear you calling his name if that is how he is going to "get" him.  You are more than 1000% more likely to back over your child in your driveway than have him abducted by a stranger.  I just don't think a name on a backpack is something that will make a difference.

::::coughbullshitcough::::