Parent Travel Tip!

[WadyPhoto]

I was driving today and thought of a tip for parents out there going on the cruise with kids. We did this last year for our kids and it worked out great.

I was worried about our kids getting lost in a shuffle or losing a room key or whatever. So, I bought them cute lanyards at the dollar store. Then I got the plastic name badge things at Office Depot. Before we left, I made each kid (and the two adults as well) an ID card. I had their picture on it, name, parent's names, cabin number, emergency contact number, etc. We told them that they had to wear these at ALL times. Then they could slide their room key in there and not lose it! Well...our 5-year-old lost it once, but it was found!

I just thought I would share that with you guys.

[scrappykim]

I think you came up with a great idea...the only thing I would nix is the cabin number since the key is attached (safety reasons). However, having everything else match is great not only for the 'find the lost kid' issue, but also for the adult to positively identify the kid and have a similar badge so that the cruise personnel is sure that the lost kid is given back to the proper adult.

[4TotalNearPSP]

This exact idea won't work on a cruise, but when we go places with our kids we write our cell phone number on them with a permanent marker. They can't lose it, and they actually kind of like it.

I remember once when my little sister got lost 3,000 miles from home. She was found by police, and proudly knew her home phone number, but had no idea what an area code was.

[Picfan]

I would worry about them having too much information like first and last name printed on them but I love the concept. We did the lanyard thing with Zach and it was just easier for him to keep up with his key. They suggested though punching a hole in the corner and they even did it for us and then we snapped the lanard on. they said it was easier to unlock the door and not loose the card that way.I nstead of taking it in and out of the palstic. The ship personal can scan that card at any given moment and tell exacly what cabin they are in and who the parents are.