Yes or No to personalized backpacks, lunch bags, etc?

miss.jess · March 2010

I think the personalized backpacks and lunch bags are so adorable for preschool and daycare, etc. Someone recently mentioned to me that things like that, and personalized tshirts, are aids for child predators. They can learn the child's name and already have an in to "gain trust".

So, was that an over reaction or is this a real issue?

Lucky_Dragonfly · March 2010

I have heard about this and this is the reason I am iffy about getting anything with DS name on it. I will do initials but first name, probably not.

I_love_cupcakes · March 2010

I was a bit concerned about that when I ordered a bag for DS recently. So instead of his name, I just put his initials.

Ciconrad · March 2010

I think it can be a valid concern and depends on the situation. I wouldn't send my 8 year old who walks to school with a back pack advertising his name. With pre-school though I have to walk DS in and out everyday and his lunch box would stay in the classroom while he was there. They have good security for letting people in the building, so I don't think there would be an issue at his pre-school.

djandkellen · March 2010

I'd go with initials rather than full names.

tara* · March 2010

I don't do it for the same reason. I'll personalize things that stay home, but I don't want randoms knowing my child's name.

AEK&BGT · March 2010

I think anything that's monogrammed is adorable, but DD#1's backpack will not be monogrammed when she starts preschool. I've been told the same thing and it makes perfect sense. Lunch bag may be different if it can fit into her bag. Better to be safe than sorry.

Future Mrs.Grabowski · March 2010

I think they are cute as well but I wouldn't personally put my childs whole name on something...I might be more apt to put initials only or have a favorite character embroidered instead. I think of it more as an ease for the child to find their stuff anyway. I have heard it mentioned as well to not put whole names on things for that reason as well. I would think it may be an easy way for them to do just that, gain trust.

ElizC · March 2010

Growing up my mom never allowed us to have shirts or other personalized items that would have been seen in public. A child doesn't always realize that they have a personalized item on them and they may think they child predator knows them.

I think personalized items are really cute though. We may comprimise and do initials. I agree with your friend that they may be aids for child predators.

miss.jess · March 2010

Initials are a good idea! I am going to order DD a backpack soon and may just do that.

Rubygirl · March 2010

I'm considering that right now in relation to post below (about PBK backpack). Something tells me that's more of an urban legend than it is something with actual known cases. My toddler is stranger shy anyway, and I plan on teaching him about stranger danger when he's school age. However, by school age I'm guessing he'll want to pick out his own backpack and it's more likely to involve Superman than it is his name.

ToledoDeux · March 2010

A big fat NO to that. Initials are a fine compromise, I suppose, but I don;t really see the need for them.

**waiting for JOEBunny to tell us all we're overreacting and that stranger kidnaps almost NEVER happen***

tarebear9891 · March 2010

I think putting a kid's name on display is a bad idea. They are entirely too trusting and if a stranger said their name would immediately put them in the "friend" category. Schools around here actually give out warnings not to monogram your child's name on their things.

smiling76 · March 2010

I agree--I think that it's just not a good idea at their age. My brother got one of those cozy coupes for Christmas with personalized license plates on it--and that even makes me nervous! Yes, I'm paranoid.

lauren&matt · March 2010

Yes! DD has a personalized lunch tote, backpack etc... I don't worry about that. It's not like she's walking around with her address, SS#, mother's maiden name...

And I don't feel that she'll be out of my sight in order for someone to use "personalized" items to get her. Maybe when she's older I'll reconsider. But as of now, I want everything to have her name on it. We go to a lot of activities, play groups etc and it is 100x easier to have everything w/ her name on it.

So those of you that object- do you not put their name on sippys? Snack cups? Cause ya know... someone could read that off a label....

TimingisEverything · March 2010

It can be an issue. I would just do initials.

Fish4Fun · March 2010

Bad idea, definitely a bad idea.

Osco13 · March 2010

I think it's a bad idea if you include your child's last name, birthdate and address but I think sending your little one to day care with his name on his lunch bag if FINE.

relax!

brideofscowboy · March 2010

I would go with initials.

I even chose my 'mother's necklace' to just be DS's first initial. I work quite close with our patients and I do know that some of them have a sketchy history involving kids. They don't need to know DS's name.

SpanishFlu · March 2010

NO full names. not even first.

inbetweendreams · March 2010

That's a big NO. I don't want my kid's name on display like that, but I'm not into personalization anyway.

mlf625 · March 2010

Yes. He has a PBK duffel with his name on it when we travel, and I'll personalize his back pack for preschool next year as well.

Seriously, when are yall's toddlers and preschoolers walking around unattended, anyway? I can see the legitimate concern on this if your kid is 8 or 9 and walking to school alone ... but I'm not going to freak out about my 2 or 3 year old having a personalized back pack.

Osco13 · March 2010

mlf625:
Seriously, when are yall's toddlers and preschoolers walking around unattended, anyway?

LOL!

kgail11 · March 2010

I am not seeing the big deal for preschoolers personalization - like the pp says, when are they not in your line of vision anyways??? I doubt I'll do it for elem. school, but I don't see the fuss for preschool-aged kids. They're either with me, very supervised, or at preschool, also very supervised.

Fish4Fun · March 2010

Osco13:
mlf625:
Seriously, when are yall's toddlers and preschoolers walking around unattended, anyway?

LOL!

Ha, I just picture some creepy dude talking to kids through the fence during recess. I think I've watched WAY too much SVU.

SpanishFlu · March 2010

Fish4Fun:
Osco13:
mlf625:

Seriously, when are yall's toddlers and preschoolers walking around unattended, anyway?

LOL!

Ha, I just picture some creepy dude talking to kids through the fence during recess. I think I've watched WAY too much SVU.

it happens.

secuccaro · March 2010

djandkellen:
I'd go with initials rather than full names.

me too - especially for an older child.

mlf625 · March 2010

Fish4Fun:
Osco13:
mlf625:
Seriously, when are yall's toddlers and preschoolers walking around unattended, anyway?

LOL!
Ha, I just picture some creepy dude talking to kids through the fence during recess. I think I've watched WAY too much SVU.

a) your kid doesn't wear a backpack at recess

b) I love me some Stabler, but I think it's time for you to step away from the Stabler.

KMLP · March 2010

mlf625:
Yes. He has a PBK duffel with his name on it when we travel, and I'll personalize his back pack for preschool next year as well.
Seriously, when are yall's toddlers and preschoolers walking around unattended, anyway? I can see the legitimate concern on this if your kid is 8 or 9 and walking to school alone ... but I'm not going to freak out about my 2 or 3 year old having a personalized back pack.

ITA! I love personalization, so it would be hard for me not to buy personalized things. He has an adorable lunch tote that we take every single place with his name on it, his land of nod chair is soo cute, and when he gets a back pack, I'm sure it will have his initials or name on it.

Want a personalized experience?

Yes or No to personalized backpacks, lunch bags, etc?

Re: Yes or No to personalized backpacks, lunch bags, etc?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards