My wife took our kids to a local water park a couple of weeks ago. I was at work during this excursion, wiling the day away with full certainty the kids would have a great time likely at the cost of my wife’s wits. I was right on both counts.
This particular park does an excellent job of helping parents keep track of their kids. They go so far as to sound an alarm every 15-20 minutes which serves as an opportunity for the kids to exit the water so they can be counted. The lifeguards are pretty relentless about this too. If some kid decides he doesn’t need to get out then no one else goes back in until he does get out. There’s even a drill that takes place in the event a child comes up missing. The parents are asked to lock their arms and wade into the water together (as long as they don’t have small children to tend to) searching and clearing the area directly in front of them. I lean toward the overly cautious side so these steps are just the kind of thing I like to see.
On this day the alarm sounded and kids were counted. Just as everyone was heading back into the water a mother cried out. She couldn’t find her daughter.
My wife and girls were at the park with our neighbor, another mom, and her two boys. They quickly sat the kids down on a blanket and directed them to NOT MOVE. The parents locked elbows and began wading into the water while others began looking in other areas of the park. My wife was looking over her shoulder at our kids almost constantly. The children sat on the blanket. Stock still and wide eyed.
Within minutes the girl was found. She had wandered outside the water area and was just out of sight. She was returned to her mother and I imagine there was a collective sigh among the parents and lifeguards.
When my wife returned to our kids, who still hadn’t moved, our four year old girl Ava asked, “Did you find her?”
“Someone did honey. She’s right over there with her Mommy. Everything is fine. Are you ok?”
Ava looked up and asked, “Kids really do go missing?’”
My wife responded, telling Ava that kids do sometimes go missing and our occasional warnings to she and her little sister are real. She explained that we just want to keep everyone safe and together.
Ava said she understood and had a great big hug for her mom. The littler one, Jada, was also keen to what was going on and wedged herself in between the two of them.
My wife relayed this story to me on the phone after they had come home and the kids were down for their naps. I was obviously relieved there had been no tragedy’s to report.
When I got home that evening Ava met me at the door. She filled me in on what had happened at the park. The detail she remembered was impressive. The hair color of the girl that had slipped away. The color of her bathing suit. How she had hugged her mom when they were reunited. Ava also told me that “sometimes kids do go missing, Daddy”.
I told her, “I know” and we hugged for a good long time.
This may have been a tough way for her to learn the truth of the dangers that are out there, but I’m grateful she learned.
A very dramatic way to bring that truth home ‘sometimes kids do go missing.’ Glad is all worked out and that all were safe. There have been a couple times when we’ve not been able to find one of our kids. It is the most heart stopping moment.
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probably a very good way for her to learn, when she had the comfort of her mother right there and the result was a positive one.
that is an amazing place that they have that system in place, wish we had a system like that here!
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Definitely a tough way for a child to learn, but a good lesson none the less. Glad to hear that the child was found and everyone was safe. Sounds like a really good system they have there to prevent anything from happening.
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Wow, reading this, got a huge lump in my throat…could never imagine, but will certainly be prepared! Thanks for sharing…Kudos
BellaDaddy´s last blog ..Da Doo Rag Rag Rag, Da Doo Rag Rag
Of course reading this story makes me think “what if” and instills a fear that I can’t put into words. I’m glad there was to tragedy to this story and only a very important learning experience.
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When I was five, my parents took my sister and me to Italy. I really wanted ice cream. They wanted to see cathedrals. So I left them. Apparently, it took them an hour to find me in the middle of Milan.
OM´s last blog ..30. Tyler
Sometimes kids learn the hardest lessons by actual practice, huh?
We had a fire in our house about a year ago and our 3 year old quads all got out safely because they “followed the plan.” We always talked about what we would do if there ever was a fire. We were concerned that we wouldn’t be able to get them all out at once… and they performed like champs! To this day they understand and respect the danger of fire.
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Wow, what a scary event… and what a great teachable moment for the kids, to see that there’s actually something to all the warnings we parents make.
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This reminds me of when I wandered off to go see a clown when I was a child. Didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, but now that I have 2 daughters it’s a very big deal.
Good to hear that everyone is safe and sound. Plus the kids are now more aware of what could happen.
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That is both a childs and a parents worst nightmare. My heart rate increased just as I was reading it not
sure where the story was leading to. It was a story that will stick with your children and hopefully keep them safe. I didn’t totally get the locking of the arms thing, but sometimes I need simple things explained to me. Sometimes I look to hard into things and I miss the big idea. All in all it sounds like it works so if I am ever there, I will just know to lock my arms, no questions till it’s over
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It’s a scary, but necessary lesson for a child to learn that “children really do go missing.” I’m glad your wife was there to hand out hugs when it was all over. I’m sure the hugs were the best part of the whole experience.
I remember those days, when I had my eyes on the girls constantly. I had a couple of heart-stopping moments myself. I felt bad for the missing child and her mom and glad this story had a happy ending.
SurprisedMom´s last blog ..The Human Condition
There is no worse feeling than when you realise one of the kids has strayed. Despite best attempts to stay calm – the panic kicks in immediately.
scary – but great to have a happy ending!
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very scary lesson, but it looks like your kids are understanding it and that’s good
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Wow, that’s a really scary story. I’m still trying to impress “stranger danger” onto my 7 year old.
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Not being able to find a child is very scary. I’m glad the little girl was found and I’m happy the day ended with hugs.
This is one of my worst fears…definitely a good system they have there.
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Good to see everything worked out in the end. Luckily for you this is a great lesson for your children, they were able to see first hand what happens if they were to wander off.
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Hey there Chuck! It’s been a while! I have been reading, though not commenting much. But I had to comment on this one. Isn’t it strange how we try so hard to protect our kids from the “scary” stuff, but then it’s the scary stuff that sometimes teaches them the best lessons? Can’t help it though…I’ll still try to protect them!!
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