- May 18, 2010
- 16 Comments
- Giveaways & Reviews, Parenting/Family
In Which I Called 911
You ever have one of those days?
One of those days where you lose your kid at the local *insert your local Festival Name here* and have to call 911 becuase you couldn’t find your 5 year old?
That happened to us on Saturday.
There we were, at the local waterfront park, minding our own business with 1000 other people. The kids played on the huge anchor…
…while my husband and I looked on. While the 3 kids played, I decided to lay in the grass in front of the anchor-turned-playset while my hubs got my permission to step closer to the gazebo so he could get a better look at the band playing.
It all happened so fast!
Somewhere between both my husband and I being *right there* to me moving 5 feet, but keeping just as close… Lucy disappeared.
Full. On. Gone.
Gone.
As soon as Paul made it to his closer spot by the gazebo, I screamed, “PAULWHERE’SLUCY??!!! Where’s Lucy? Where’s Lucy? I can’t find LUCY!!!”
My stomach was on the ground and I felt very weak…
We guessed one spot she might have wandered, but she was not there. I think 2 minutes passed from the time I couldn’t find her… and I called 911… I’d rather look stupid and be over-reacting than be stupid and regret not acting fast enough.
911: What’s your emergency?
Me: I can’t find my daughter. I am at the waterfront park *details, details* and WE CAN’T FIND MY 5 YEAR OLD!
Paul was covering ground to find her. I stood there – hoping she was right there somewhere… while on the phone with 911 and my other 2 kids.
Nope. Only one.
Suddenly, I couldn’t find my oldest.
Apparently, Joel, my 10 year old, FREAKED OUT and ran to find Lucy as well.
911: So you are at *insert location here*
Me: Yes, but now my son is gone too!
Within moments or a minute (I have no idea) he came charging back, ” I found her! I found her! I found Lucy!!!!”
I told 911 both kids were found and I followed my son through the crowd.
Did I mention the name of the festival happening in my Fauxwegian town? Viking Fest.
See? Not. Kidding.
We wandered into the Viking Village, where a Viking (I am not kidding) who I had been chatting with earlier (this is what I do) remembered me (I am unforgettable) and told me, “She was just here with 2 women. They took her to look for you.”
My reply, YOU JUST LET 2 PEOPLE THEM WALK OFF WITH MY DAUGHTER????!!!
His reply, The are girls from our village… I know them.
Shall I distill? My daughter wandered into the Viking Village and 2 Viking girls took her in… to help her find her clan.
We are part of a local children’s theater group (KCMT) and A BUNCH of the kids were at the festival. A couple of the teens from the group found Lucy with the 2 Vikings. They laid claim to my girl said, “That’s OUR Lucy!”
“Our” Lucy.
*smiling*
We were soon all reunited … by the time I came along Lucy was in the arms of her daddy, surrounded by a great number of our much adored KCMT clan…
Now.
Safety.
I dropped the safety ball.
Lucy, and the other 2 now know to stay put if we get separated. I often dress the kids in bright colors when I know we will be in large crowds… but what if we do get separated? Lucy wasn’t taken. Praise and glory. She simply went to look for us, and that turned out to be a huge problem.
I spoke with friends who said they have code words and other practices in place for safety. My question for you — what are some rules or practices you have with your kids to help prevent situations like I described above or any other possible scenarios? I’d love to hear tips, ideas, recommendations… not just for my benefit, but also for those that may read your own comment.
*P.S. I have a new, fun giveaway! A children’s book and a playset! Please visit my review site to see how you can win!*
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16 Responses to “In Which I Called 911”
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At least you didn’t do any of these things:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/17/the-funniest-parenting-fa_n_578096.html
You’re a great mom, Jenny!!!
So glad, so glad, so glad…
I think that initial flash of panic and the thought that “This is how it happens…” and all the horrifying ideas that flash quickly through your mind with that thought is one of the worst things imaginable. It’s amazing how quickly one’s heart can drop to the pit of your gut, isn’t it?
So glad things turned out as they should have.
We used to practice code words with my kids. Mostly the oldest one, and how horrible that that kind of thing sort of slacked a bit with our youngest. Combine that with taking for granted we live in a safe environment, and, well, based on experience of late, a refresher course couldn’t hurt around here.
I lost my youngest one year at Viking Fest, I think he was around 6. The panic that sets in is awful. Luckily some of the volunteers found him and brought him to the lost and found tent. It is a horrible feeling to not know where they are. We had a safety word. I don’t re
member it now. Never used it.
shew!! reading that made my heart jump into my chest… wooooo… glad everything turned out alright!
Gosh how scary!!!!! It happened to me once in the supermarket but my son got more of a fright than I did!
So glad you found her!! I would have freaked out, too!! OMG, soooo scary. Love that vikings were part of your story. lol
How scary. So thankful everything turned out okay. I remember the night my 3 year old left the house, under my husband’s nose at night to go look for mommy, who was at a meeting. My husband didn’t even hear the door open. He finally realized she was gone and went running outside screaming her name. Thankfully, two lady joggers located her TWO BLOCSK away from our house on a very busy street, and were carrying her towards my husband’s frantic call. We are so thankful God protected her!
Eeek! Scary indeed!
I remember at the beginning of a trip to Disneyland, my dad stopped us near the front gate (probably near DLand’s police station) and said, “If we get separated, we’ll meet here.”
I have a mommy friend who takes a pic of her kiddos when they arrive somewhere crowded in case they get separated — she’ll have a pic to show whomever helps look for them, God forbid.
I’ve also heard about these: http://www.safetytat.com/
So glad you found your babies, Jenny! I had a similar experience a few years ago, when my oldest, then 3, got lost in the shuffle at a local Irish festival. I remember shrieking his name and completely flipping out and drawing all attention away from some troup of Irish dancers who were *most* unappreciative. Found my son after a few minutes, but I know that feeling of panic.
(I wish my town had a Viking Fest!)
Oh goodness! I am so glad you found that darling girl!!!!
I once lost Julia in our own yard.
I can’t imagine. I can imagine. Very scary scary business.Yikes.
The Vikings were uncharacteristically nice though, huh?
I lost my son in a hardware store and in desperation ran out to the parking lot so no one could leave the store with him. He was actually behind some kitchen cabinets.
I think picking a place to meet up if you get separated works well with older kids. For my three year old, I’ve pointed out policemen or people who are in charge wherever we are so he can go up to them. But I often forget to do this once the terrifying incident has passed. Thanks for the reminder but sorry you had to go through that. Yuck.
(sorry for posting twice. put my website in wrong the first time)
Ugh. That is scary. I didn’t realize that had happened after all the times I ran into you this weekend. Glad it ended well. We love your little Lucy!
Regarding other news of your today, that is awesome!!! I checked out your backpost to when the drawing was and saw your comment about the ‘Sisters’ song in W.C. I actually did perform that onstage and I make a fool of myself every time I see it, bc I can’t help but belt out my part again…so, if you want to do it, we could next year!
Sweetie, very glad this story has a happy ending!
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Jenny, I know this is months after this post, but I was just perusing your fabulous blog & had to share. Years (and years & years)ago when my oldest was 4 I was blessed with a set of twins, the stork just dropped them off one day & I kept them… not really, but it was long ago. They are 17 now. Anyway, I was at Macy’s with my twin stroller & my 4 year old. We were standing near the elevator and I was looking at a rack… of clothes… my 4 year old, unbeknownst to me, toddled to the elevator & like all 4 year old’s do, she wanted to press the button. Well, the elevator, who now becomes the antagonist in this story, it must have been on our floor waiting & the door opened right up. At that very moment, I, with my super-mommy peripheral vision, spot her & I scream (in total slow motion), “Don’t go in thhhhheeeerrrreee…”, as my sweet blonde-haired, blue-eyed, baby girl disappears behind this iron curtain. It was horrifying. The elevator kidnapped my daughter & the worst part was it wasn’t modern enough to even tell me whether it went up or down a floor. My first instinct was to scream, then second to run… for what I don’t know, but I was STUCK like Chuck… with 2 ducks, in this desperate moment I realized I had two babies sitting in a stroller!! It was the most mortifying moment of my life. I felt helpless, as would anyone who knows anything about double strollers (you are not agile at all), and so I began to cry & scream… & I screamed really loud!! What did I scream? Well, it wasn’t baby appropriate language for sure & was something along the lines of OMFG & HELP, of course. Finally, coming to my senses I walked with my heart in my stomach to the nearest cashier’s counter where they radioed security & in minutes (which seemed like hours) they found her down on the basement floor with a sweet older couple… THANK GOD!! Still to this day when I go to that Macy’s (or any really) & I see that elevator, I relive this terrible moment and see that sweet older couple in my mind. Talk about PTSD. I feel for you! The way I see it is, it’s like a Brownie Badge of Motherhood… for learning or whatnot. I lived to tell the tale, my daughter was safe and I never let go of her hand again, not even for a millisecond, when we were in public or near elevators.
Oh Tracy! BIG hugs to you! I tell ya… you never EVER forget that awful feeling. And your story – I have feared that happening SO many times. Have had one or two close calls… oh my goodness! Bless your heart… and so very happy security and the store people were ON it. And that sweet older couple. Sure feels like we, and our babies are being watched over
Thank you for sharing your story, Mama! {squeeeze}