Before sharing the tips, allow me to tell you a chilling history…
It was such a beautiful day Sunday 10, 2020. The sun shone brightly in the Orlando sky as the excited family walked through the gates of Walt Disney World. Vesta, a young woman in her late twenties, was filled with joy as she watched her son’s eyes light up with wonder and delight at the sights around him. She had dreamed of taking her only child to this magical place for years, and now it was finally happening.
The mother and her son spent the morning exploring the park, riding rides, taking pictures, and soaking up the atmosphere. They laughed and joked as they went from place to place, and the mother’s heart swelled with love for her son. She felt so blessed to be able to spend this special time with him.
But then, suddenly, the mother’s joy turned to horror. In the hustle and bustle of the park, she and her son became separated. She looked around desperately, but he was nowhere to be found. Panic set in as she frantically searched the crowded park, calling out her son’s name.
Hours passed, and the mother’s fear and desperation grew. No matter how hard she searched, she could not find her son. With sorrow in her voice, she called his name: “Jimmy where are you?” But no answer.
Eventually, she was forced to accept the unthinkable: her son was lost in the park.
Vesta was overcome with grief. She felt like her heart had been ripped from her chest. The pain was so intense that she could barely stand. She felt like she was living a nightmare, and there was nothing she could do to make it stop.
With tears in her eyes, the mother, along with some Walt Disney World security guards, continued to search the park for days, but eventually she had to accept the reality that her son was gone. She left the park with a heavy heart, feeling like a part of her was missing forever. The loss was so overwhelming that she could barely move forward.
She still hopes her son will be found one day. She can still hear her son’s laughter, feel his tiny hand in hers, and see his smiling face as they explored the park together. It’s a bittersweet memory; one she will never forget.
Here are 10 travel tips for parents or anyone traveling with kids which can help prevent that nasty experience from happening:
- Make sure your child has a form of identification with you at all times, and keep it in a secure place.
- Make sure your child knows your name and contact information, as well as the contact information of the person you’re traveling with.
- Research the areas you’re traveling to and be aware of any safety risks.
- Create a meeting point for you and your child, in case you get separated.
- Teach your child basic safety rules such as not talking to strangers and not wandering off.
- Make sure your child’s clothing is easily identifiable and not easily lost in a crowd.
- Ensure your child is wearing comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for the travel conditions.
- Allow your child to carry a cell phone if they’re old enough, and make sure they know how to use it in the event of an emergency.
- Make sure your child knows how to find help in an emergency, such as finding a police officer or someone in a uniform.
- If your child is old enough to use public transportation, make sure they know how to read maps and timetables.
