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When my daughter started school a few months back, I got her this adorable monogrammed animal backpack from Pottery Barn Kids. It was only $19 and it was perfect because her teachers would never have to guess which bag was hers when they needed to send papers home. Or so I thought.
I had to take her to a doctor’s appointment before school one day and of course we brought her backpack with us. We’re sitting waiting for the doc and what’s the first thing she says when she walks in? You need to be careful with that backpack. Huh?
Now normally, my pediatrician is totally mellow and laid back–that’s why I chose her. But I could see she was very serious about this. Here’s what she said: If your daughter is with someone who doesn’t know everyone you know, a stranger with bad intentions could see her name on her backpack and call her away from that person. Or even if she playing at the playground with you, all it takes is knowing a child’s name to lure them away.
Whoa. Those thoughts never even crossed my mind when I bought the backpack. I immediately starting thinking of all the times she was at the playground at school and how vulnerable she was…all because of a friggin’ Pottery Barn Kids backpack.
Given my doctor’s orders, I’ve since taken the backpack out of commission. Now it’s just for playtime in the house. And I haven’t gotten my daughter anything else monogrammed. And I’m even cautious about saying her name when we’re out in public. I try to only use nicknames and pet names when we’re going to and coming from school.
Sometimes I wonder, though, am I completely crazy for being so paranoid? I know it’s better to be safe than sorry, but my daughter really loves that backpack and I refuse to let her wear it outside the house. What’s do you think?
For better backpack options, check out our back to school essentials guide.
