Toddler Lost in Vancouver Airport

Today's news included the story of a family who lost their 23 month old son at the Vancouver airport. The family had split up in the airport, and didn't realize that neither group had the toddler until until their ongoing flight to Winnipeg landed. Luckily the boy was found and cared for, and Air Canada flew the father round trip to pick the boy up in Vancouver and return with him to Winnipeg.

I don't want to comment too much on this story because a) I don't know the full circumstances, b) my heart goes out to this poor family who must have been absolutely heartbroken and in shock when they realized the error, and c) it must be exhausting and overwhelming to clear airport security with a young child after a long international flight, especially if English is not your native language.

That said, I think this serves as a good reminder for anyone traveling with extended family. It is easy to let your guard down a little when there are a lot of other people helping keep an eye on your child. The problem is, if everyone is in charge, then actually, nobody is in charge. This story is in the news because it's such an extreme case, but the truth is that a lot of avoidable accidents happen when everyone thinks that someone else is watching the kids (but nobody actually is).

My recommendation: whenever you're with a large group, make sure that there is one trusted person who is in charge of your child, and make sure that you verbally tell them "you're on point." Those three simple words can make a world of difference in the amount of attention that a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle is paying to where the child is and what they are doing.

Related Links:
DeliciousBaby: How To Breeze Through Airport Security With Kids
DeliciousBaby: Flying with Children, Toddlers and Babies
CNN: Busy travelers forget toddler at airport, fly on

2 comments | Posted on May 14, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

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  1. Leslie Evans on May 15, 2008 at 7:14 a.m.

    When our kids were little, my husband and I would say "you've got the con" (like they do on Star Trek and in submarine movies). I don't remember the episode that prompted this habit. It was, thankfully, something minor. But it's way too easy for both to assume that the other one is minding the kids.

    This story almost makes me have an empathy panic attack. Thank God it all turned out ok.

  2. therapydoc on May 15, 2008 at 11:05 a.m.

    You have to wonder. I totally agree with you, role assignments. One adult per child at the airport doesn't always feel like it's enough when they're on two legs.