PLEASE teach your child to say this

Very long traumatic story short, Cole "ran away" last week. I kept calling his name and he didn't answer - in retrospect I think he heard the panic in my voice when I couldn't find him and didn't want to answer and be in trouble.

I finally remembered a game we used to play when he was learning how to talk and answer to his name. I would say "Cole SAY HERE I AM!" and I'd wave my hands wildly and he would answer "here I am!" and we would hug and high five and make a big deal.

Many young children don't know that they should answer to their name - how would they know to say "Yes?" or "What?" Please teach them! If they wander in the store or are hiding in the house - call their name and tell them how to respond... to say "HERE I AM" It's a little game now, but might really help if you ever need it.

If you're interested in reading the whole drawn out drama it's here:


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Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

OMG how scary im so happy everything turned out fine.

TYTY for the advice. My DD will run in another room and ill call her and she doesnt answer, i will now work on the "here i am"

Thanks again

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

Great advice....

Must have been very scary

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

excellent lesson, and I'm so sorry you had to go through that

I've read your blog these past several months - not only are you a fantastic teacher and writer, you're an incredible Mom.

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

Holy Cow Lea how frightening!!! I'm so glad he was OK (and you too) and thanks for the important PSA, that's a really good tip!!!

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

Great idea!

I'm so glad everything is okay though!

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

Posted by Shorty

excellent lesson, and I'm so sorry you had to go through that

I've read your blog these past several months - not only are you a fantastic teacher and writer, you're an incredible Mom.

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

Great advice!!

Sorry that happened!!

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

I'm sorry you had to go through that, I teared up reading this.



but i'm thanking you for posting this as well.

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

OMG...just read the blog entry and my heart was in my th roat the entire time. What you must have been going through and how terrified. Thanks for the PSA...so glad all is ok.

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

I just read your blog and cried....thank you for sharing this so all parents (me included!) can teach our kids this....and I am so glad everyone is ok!

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

So scary! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. This is such an important PSA. I am so happy that Cole is safe!!

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

Thanks for sharing

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

PSA bump

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

OMG how scary, I am going to teach DD this, thank you for the advise.

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

OMG what a frightening story!!!
Great lesson!!!

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

I was in tears reading this, I could feel the panic in your words.

I am SO glad that he was ok. I am going to make sure I do this with both of my kids. Thank you!!

Re: PLEASE teach your child to say this

Wow, I never want to be in your position! That must have been the longest 15 minutes of your life.

It's very funny you should bring this up....I was in bed last night and DH was taking care of DS and DS had come upstairs and gotten into bed with me.
DH was downstairs calling DS's name and he wasn't answering. I heard a little panic in his voice so I told my son to say "Daddy, I'm here!" and he said it. And as he was saying it I thought the same thing you are telling all of us to do....

Great advice!