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Losing Your LO and GPS Trackers

MrsHyphenatedMrsHyphenated
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

Here's what happened last night.  DS, who is 20 months, and I went to ToysRUs to do some holiday shopping.  I took DS out of the cart after 20 mins as he was getting restless and noted where he was and what toys were keeping him occupied.  A little girl was stuck next to me, trying to push her little cart through, so I maneuvered mine out of the way.  I look back, DS was gone!  I check the next aisle gone.. left the cart and check the other aisle.. gone!!  Now my heart's seriously racing because doing the math, I'm mentally calculating how fast he can book it and figure he should be at least within a two aisle radius.  I'm now running up and down the aisle, in a panic, calling him by his full name.  Thoughts are racing through my head.. mainly am I going to sound crazy if I ask a sales associate to shut the exterior doors to how the hell am I going to explain this to my cop STBXH. I have never lost sight of him before.  FINALLY I find him partially hidden next to a bin of rubber balls, trying to pull them out one by one.  Never have I been that scared in my life and all though a part of you feels like reprimanding them for taking off on you, it was really my fault for not keeping him close by and, regardless, I was so relieved that he was safe!

 So after that minute of mayhem, a nice, well intended mom patronizingly said, "You know, this is why I had my toddler on one of those baby leashes."  I know that would seriously cut down on losing your child in a public area, but I can't help feel that it's dehumanizing.

So has anyone of this board invested in a GPS tracker?  Do you recommend a specific brand?  Do all of them have monthly fees?  It would be nice to hear your opinion on their effectiveness.  Thanks.

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Re: Losing Your LO and GPS Trackers

  • DTNZ4EverDTNZ4Ever member
    So sorry this happened. It must have been scary. This is why when DS and I are out at stores, museums, etc. DS has to either hold my hand or be in his cart/stroller. If he doesn't want to hold my hand then back in the cart. It's our rule and stick to it. This is when I can't give him my undivided attention.
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  • jymersjymers
    We invested in a monkey backpack leash just in case DS doesn't want to listen and hold our hands. We haven't had to use it yet. But it's there if we need it.
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  • CountryMileCountryMile member
    imageDTNZ4Ever:
    So sorry this happened. It must have been scary. This is why when DS and I are out at stores, museums, etc. DS has to either hold my hand or be in his cart/stroller. If he doesn't want to hold my hand then back in the cart. It's our rule and stick to it. This is when I can't give him my undivided attention.
    All of this.  DS knows before hand that if he wants to walk he has to hold my hand.  Otherwise he is in his stroller or a cart.  When DS gets antsy in a shopping cart I pull out my snack-trap and give him goldfish or I leave.  I would never let him out.  
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  • jday1229jday1229

    The only store I've let DS down in is Barnes and Noble to play with the train table. Otherwise, he's just too fast and unpredictable. That said, I used a piece of yarn tied to his backpack at the zoo. It was near a crowded area and he was not interested in getting back in the stroller. You don't really need a special tether since you're not trying to drag him around by it, you just need a link between the 2 of you. It's something you can keep in your bag and tie to his wrist if needed.

    FYI, most stores have Code Adam or something similar and they WILL lock down the exits. No parent should hesitate to ask for it if their child is unaccounted for. Go to the closest employee or straight to the service desk.

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