Once upon a time there was a smug mother. This smug mother had two beautifully behaved boys who walked beside her whilst out in public and who never strayed (much) from her side in public places.
Then this mother birthed a child called Ben. By the time he grew legs the smug was wiped clear off this mother’s face.
One day the family went on a pleasant day-out and instead ended up losing Ben.
Trips out after that caused no end of worry for one certain anxious member of the family and also for his mother who figured she had enough grey hairs already and who also wasn’t as young as she once was (in terms of running after escaping children).
So then this mother, who might previously have laughed at doing such a ridiculous thing in public, only went out to crowded public places with her children dressed like this.
Because she wasn’t planning on losing ANYONE on a day out any more.
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Oh yes, very familiar. The boys have orange T”s that I use in public places and yellow ones too. The brigher the better. Mini is terrible, Maxi is good!
We saw a family dressed in yellow t-shirts yesterday. Funnily enough, all their children were boys too.
Brilliant. Nearly spat my chocolate out, laughing so hard! Only because I have wardrobe of ‘loud shirts’, ‘loud jumpers’ and ‘loud coats’ for both my children. When we went to NZ on the plane (40hrs door to door each way with a 4.5 & 2.5ye old. Feel my pain.), both were dressed in super-brights, with super-bright Trunkis to sit on (and tether to!), and with super-bright changes of clothes.
My son ran away in an Outlet mall when he was not quite 2, and quite happily sat in the arms of a total random member of the public until I found him – it scares me that he would have quite happily gone off with them. So, I have been similarly scarred for life. Good call on the orange tshirts
Ella, I will send you a pic privately on Facebook with my ‘secret weapon’ for my main escapologist 
I feel your pain, that must have been 40 hours of pure hell.
Where’s the pic? I gotta know what it is – we’re heading to Legoland tomorrow and I know I’m going to be coming home with at least one less child if I’m not careful.
Such a great idea! Will have to try it. I can never remember what my boys are wearing now that they dress themselves!
It was when we lost Ben and I couldn’t remember what he was wearing that I learnt this lesson the hard way.
Mine dress themselves too (even the 2 year old) but I make them change anyway because I’m mean like that. So far they don’t mind because they know it usually means an exciting day out. By the time they’ll object to wearing neon colors I’m hoping they’ll be old enough to look after themselves!
Love how the orange on the shirts fades as the boys get younger – is that a sign of a well washed shirt?
With only two at the moment, I can keep a good grip on my two. When the third boy arrives, luminous t-shirts it shall be. x
Yes, a very well washed shirt! It may be faded but at least it shows I do do laundry. Which is good seeing as some days that is ALL I do.
I’m sure your third boy will be a complete angel and stay by your side! Just don’t let him meet Ben. x
LOL. BTW a good tip I heard once was when you get somewhere to take a picture of your kid on your cell phone. That way-heaven forbid they should go missing you have a picture of them with the clothing they are wearing to show police.
Yes, this is a great tip. But, as I frequently remind Matthew, I don’t have a smartphone. I tell him the children’s safety is paramount and that I need a super-duper phone simply for that reason but so far it doesn’t seem to have worked
Yup. My sons are the ones with the fluorescent yellow swimming shorts. My 9 year old (the escapologist) always wears bold stripes or bright colours on days out. And I write my mobile phone number on all their wrists.
Today we did Legoland (amazingly I’m still here to tell the tale) and I put oversize white stickers on their backs with my mobile number on. Not only did this work for if they got lost, but it helped me spot them in the crowds (annoyingly many parents had had the same bright idea of bright t-shirts for their little darlings, thus rendering my clever plan a bit useless – but I was smug enough with my sticker plan….)
This post if frightening me in a way but lots of good advice. I need to get some bright t-shirts. Great picture xx
Honestly, don’t be frightened. Unless you have a Ben. In which case, good luck x
that’s a smart mother.
your post on losing ben made my heart race.
just found your blog and now have you bookmarked — great writing.
Thank you, I hope the post conveyed just a little of the panic and fear I felt when he went missing, hope I never feel that again.
Look forward to getting to know you x
And, for cold-weather wear on the playground…bright colored hats, gloves (and jackets, if you can find ‘em).
When I worked at a school, and a top raffle prize was “Go to Disneyland for the day with the Headmaster,” the Headmaster’s very special gift to the kids who won…neon green T-shirts! The kids were thrilled; he was a bit less worried.
That’s a brave Headmaster!