Keeping Your Kids Safe with Identification

At first thought, carrying identification may seem like something that is unnecessary for your child. After all, your child knows his name and phone number, and for the most part he's usually with you or some other responsible adult. But even if it is only for insurance purposes, it's a good idea for your child to carry identification. Chances are, you carry health, life, car and home insurance- and pay plenty for all of it. Identification for your child is practically cost free; there's no good reason not to look into it.

Carrying identification is a good idea for anyone, and children are no exception. The reasons, of course are different for kids than they are for adults. Chances are they are not going to get pulled over for speeding, but there are dangers out there and knowing that your child is that much more prepared in the case of emergency can give a parent peace of mind.

Memorizing your name, address, and phone number isn't good enough anymore. It used to be that kids were encouraged to be able to write their name address and phone number at a young age, while this is still a good skill to have, it is much more of a complex issue than it once was. "Do you want my Mom's or My Dad's? The work number, the home number, the cell number? Etc, etc. Having it all written down for a child to carry just makes sense. And while your child may be able to recite half the lines in The Lion King, it doesn't mean he will be able to remember much of anything should he find himself lost and afraid.

Having medical information available could save your child's life. In the case of a car accident it's possible that neither you nor your child will be able to communicate. An Identification card of some sort will help any paramedics assist your child most efficiently. If your child has any sort of medical condition, such as Juvenile Diabetes, he should wear a medical alert bracelet with that information, otherwise, even a name, blood type, and most reliable phone to call should suffice.

*Carrying identification can help teach a child personal responsibility and help them feel important. Kids like to find ways to model adult behaviors, and while adults certainly engage in a lot of behaviors not appropriate for children having their own, "license" like Mom or Dad might make them feel "cool" in front of their peers and boost their self esteem. At any rate, it couldn't hurt. Their friends might even want to follow suit, which would mean even more kids staying safe and protected. And that's good for everyone.