Little Children in Large Crowds
To be safe, little children shall not be brought to where there’s a large gathering of people. A large crowd is quite volatile. Things can turn ugly from the slightest irritant.
The natural curiosity of little kids also adds to the risks. The little ones may meander around unnoticed, to check out anything. At just a meter or two away in a dense crowd, it will already be too hard to track a child.
But there are times and occasions that just won’t be missed by children. Parades are an example. In particular, the Sinulog Grand Parade is a spectacle that both kids and grownups excitedly await that it will be such a big letdown for the kids to be left behind.
Losing one’s child in a crowd is an awful feeling, and one that every parent dreads. Any parent cannot imagine turning to her child only to find that the kid isn’t there anymore. It’s a stomach-churning thought.
Almost always the kid has simply wandered off somewhere more interesting to him. As a young child gets more confident or curious, he is more likely to want to go off exploring – by himself. The freedom can usher in an experience that can be very frightening for both parent and child.
Little kids need to be educated that unplanned time away from their parents in a crowded place can bring so much trouble for everyone and is best avoided. The www.nowtolove.com.au website suggests a few simple rules for parents to put in place:
1. TALK TO KIDS ABOUT CROWDS.
Before you go to a crowded place like the Sinulog grand parade or the shopping mall, talk to your children about how it will be very busy and that it is important that they stay near you at all times so you don’t lose each other.
Ask that they hold your hand or the side of your clothing. Explain that it will be harder for you to find each other with so many other people around. Reassure them that if ever you do get separated you will be looking for them.
2. DON’T PANIC.
Teach your children not to panic when they are separated and can’t find you. You will usually be close by. Tell them to stay where they are and call out for you. Older children could call your name rather than shouting “Mommy!” so you know they mean you.
You, as parent, shouldn’t panic either, but go to the last place where you saw your child and then widen your search from there.
3. BE PREPARED.
When your children are old enough, make sure they know their names and your phone number. For younger children, you could write all your contact details on a piece of paper and put in your child’s pocket.
It will also help to dress your child in bright colors, so he’s easy to spot in a crowd. Likewise, carry a recent photo of the child, make a mental note of what he was wearing or snap a quick photo of him with your phone before you leave home, so you can give visual clues to those helping in the search, if ever.
Arrange a meeting place with older children should they get lost – the swing at the park, the information booth or the fountain in the shopping mall.
Simple things like those can mean a lot in keeping the parents’ sanity upon discovering that their little child is no longer by their side as they move through a crowd.