The other day while walking through a store, I noticed a little girl crying and a small crowd of adults gathering around her. As I went closer to see if I could help, I heard more than one adult (including a store employee) asking her name and where was her Mommy. If you've ever had to decipher a crying child's answer, you know it is ten times worse when they are scared! What came out of her mouth next was enough to make my heart skip a beat. You see this child had been called by a nickname her entire life and that was all she knew! She told everyone her name was "Tiny" and she was three years old.
As a Child Safety Advocate, it hurts my heart to see situations like this. Parents need to teach a child their entire name as soon as possible. If they can understand and respond to a nickname, they can remember their name, Mom and Dad's real name (not just Mommy and Daddy) and at least a street address name. This simple lesson could save you and your child heartache if you are ever faced with this situation.
Eventually, store management went on the intercom to ask for 'Tiny's' mother to come to the front of the store. I suggested they put Tiny in an office and have the parent describe her first before bringing her out as they couldn't verify the child's 'real' name. Also, the manager asked Mom when she came to the front of the store, if she had a picture of the child on her phone. In this age of smart phones, there is no reason not to have a RECENT picture of your child. Fortunately she did, so Mom and daughter were reunited.
Parents, please take the time to teach your children the safety basics when they are small! And when you are out in public places, parents have to be extra vigilant as it only takes a minute for a child to dart off and disappear in a crowd.
Remember - "If you fail to plan, Plan to fail!"
Until the next
time...
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