How do you all feel about personalized backpacks?

Sprite2012 · August 2012

A girlfriend sent me this link today: https://www.gatortots.com/stephen-joseph-quilted-personalized-backpack-boy-monkey/

She'd like to buy this for our little boy, and personalize it with his first name. But before she did that, she wanted to check with me to make sure I'm okay with having his first name on something he will wear.

My first reaction was, "of course, why not?". Then my mommy-brain apparently kicked in, because I realized that he could possibly be somewhere like the airport, sporting this little backpack. Everyone will know his name. Even though he won't leave my sight, am I really okay with that?

Am I over-thinking/over-analyzing this? Would you let your little one walk around with a personalized backpack on? Thoughts?

QuintonsMummah · August 2012

I'm not too keen on personalized "public" items, if that makes any sense, for the exact reason that a random person would know LOs name. LLBean has the Initialed backpacks, which aren't too bad.

xxaliciaxx · August 2012

In my opinion, NO! as well as those stickers people like to put on there cars with figures and below are the names. Thats asking for problems if you ask me.

mick64 · August 2012

Yeah- I'd skip the personalization or just get initials. Chances are nothing bad would happen, but I just don't feel comfortable with my kid walking around carrying something with his name on it for everyone to see.

emily122685 · August 2012

I don't think it's a good idea to put first names on backpacks or things like that, even though it looks really cute. Safety wise, it would make me nervous. I agree with the initials though, I think that's fine.

SLHurst11 · August 2012

I would go with initials, not a first name. I never thought about it until I saw an episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 several years ago. All of their kids had cute, matching backpacks with their names on them. Kate slapped a piece of duct tape right across every single backpack to hide their names while they were at an airport. Smart move.

techg0ddess · August 2012

Sprite2012:
A girlfriend sent me this link today: https://www.gatortots.com/stephen-joseph-quilted-personalized-backpack-boy-monkey/
She'd like to buy this for our little boy, and personalize it with his first name. But before she did that, she wanted to check with me to make sure I'm okay with having his first name on something he will wear.
My first reaction was, "of course, why not?". Then my mommy-brain apparently kicked in, because I realized that he could possibly be somewhere like the airport, sporting this little backpack. Everyone will know his name. Even though he won't leave my sight, am I really okay with that?
Am I over-thinking/over-analyzing this? Would you let your little one walk around with a personalized backpack on? Thoughts?

I'd say no on the name unless you're only going to use it for something like keeping his stuff in it for daycare (the one we are looking at wants their name on everything) or around the house or as a keepsake. For being out in the world though, it's a no. That's how strangers lure in kids and kids think they know them because they know their first name. Initials or a last name would be better then a first name.

weebos8 · August 2012

I must be in the minority here, but my son has a backpack just like that one that was given to us from SIL. He carries it to "school" and that is it, but I have no worries about it. He is always with me though when he wears his backpack.

CrazyLife3 · August 2012

I think it is fine. Lets not be afraid of every little thing and focus on the most probable, preventable occurrances. There is no way in h*ll I am going to allow my child to be abducted at and airport or anywhere else, named back pack or not. I watch them all like a hawk.

starfish717 · August 2012

techg0ddess:
Sprite2012:
A girlfriend sent me this link today: https://www.gatortots.com/stephen-joseph-quilted-personalized-backpack-boy-monkey/
She'd like to buy this for our little boy, and personalize it with his first name. But before she did that, she wanted to check with me to make sure I'm okay with having his first name on something he will wear.
My first reaction was, "of course, why not?". Then my mommy-brain apparently kicked in, because I realized that he could possibly be somewhere like the airport, sporting this little backpack. Everyone will know his name. Even though he won't leave my sight, am I really okay with that?
Am I over-thinking/over-analyzing this? Would you let your little one walk around with a personalized backpack on? Thoughts?
I'd say no on the name unless you're only going to use it for something like keeping his stuff in it for daycare (the one we are looking at wants their name on everything) or around the house or as a keepsake. For being out in the world though, it's a no. That's how strangers lure in kids and kids think they know them because they know their first name. Initials or a last name would be better then a first name.

I agree with this. Personalized stuff at home is fine, but I wouldn't put a name on something that will be worn in public. It's just not worth the risk IMO.

weebos8 · August 2012

I am in the minority here, but DS has a personalized backpack just like that one that he carries to 'school' (daycare). I have never had a reason to worry, but he is always right with me so I wouldn't worry about someone trying to call him or get him when I am carrying him or he is holding my hand walking.

LollyBug18 · August 2012

I honestly wouldn't have given it a second thought until just recently when I got a notification in the mail about a recently registered sex offender in our area (GREAT!!!!). On the back it had safety tips and one of them was to not publicize your child's name on stuff like that. It makes sense to me. You teach your kid to avoid strangers but then this (really, really bad) stranger knows their name so they must not be a stranger...not a risk I'm willing to take.

jacksmom119 · August 2012

My MIL got my son a backpack from PBK with his name and he's not allowed out of the house with it. Such a waste and do unsafe.

Stick with initials !!!

jacksmom119 · August 2012

My MIL got my son a backpack from PBK with his name and he's not allowed out of the house with it. Such a waste and so unsafe.
She dumb
Stick with initials !!!

jacksmom119 · August 2012

My MIL got my son a backpack from PBK with his name and he's not allowed out of the house with it. Such a waste and so unsafe.

Stick with initials !!!

angielayne926 · August 2012

CrazyLife3:
I think it is fine. Lets not be afraid of every little thing and focus on the most probable, preventable occurrances. There is no way in h*ll I am going to allow my child to be abducted at and airport or anywhere else, named back pack or not. I watch them all like a hawk.

Not to be snarky, but do you really think that any parent "allows" their child to be abducted from any public place? There are sick, sick people out there and you never know how they would lure your child away. It only takes a second for your head to be turned and for them to get away and why would you risk putting your child in a position to be tricked by someone knowing their name because it is on their backpack/shirt/hat/etc.

My vote would be no on the name, but like PP's have said, initials would be fine.

rooneytunes01 · August 2012

xxaliciaxx:
In my opinion, NO! as well as those stickers people like to put on there cars with figures and below are the names. Thats asking for problems if you ask me.

I totally agree! Those stickers alone drive me nuts (congrats, you have a kid and a dog and a cat Hmm ) but adding your child's name... I don't get it.

AnnieH32 · August 2012

My SILs got me a backpack diaper bag with my son's name on it (not something I would have picked out myself, but it has been very handy). The name is not in huge print and you have to be pretty close to read it. I feel totally comfortable with it and do not see it as a safety concern AT ALL. A backpack that the kid would be carrying himself, if you are supervising your kid (this bag is not the type your kid is likely to take to kindergarten 5 years from now) again, I don't see it as a realistic safety concern. Um, have him take a different bag to the airport if it bothers you. This one can be to store legos in at the house or whatever. Or have her leave off the personalization or put "monkey" on it instead.

While I don't see it as a big safety concern, if you forsee letting lo carry this bag around everywhere and you would find it annoying for strangers to know your son's name and possibly address him (not in a creepy way, but in a gee I have no concept of good social boundries way), then stick with initials or no name at all.

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How do you all feel about personalized backpacks?

Re: How do you all feel about personalized backpacks?

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