Parenting Pointers: Avoiding Lost Kids

Even good parents can briefly lose track of kids in a crowded mall or other place. What can you do with kids too young to remember addresses or phone numbers? Try making a bracelet or necklace with a number to call. Then they just need to know to show it to someone in a uniform (such as a police officer, sales clerk, or other type of employee) who will have a head start on matching them up with you. Some people also write contact information on an item of clothing (in the tag, for example).

Here's another tip I heard once - teach your kids that if they can't find someone in a uniform, like a store employee or security officer, to look for another mom. They'll tend to be sympathetic to the situation, having kids themselves.