hsmom3tn Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I got behind an SUV today with stickers all over the back of it. Just from reading the stickers, I knew their children's names, what school they go to, what sport they played, and what number was on their jersey. I kept thinking how easily a stranger could find them. I see stuff like this all the time, even stickers that tell the children's name and age. :001_huh: One sticker here and there to show support of your church, Scouting, school, etc., is not a big deal; but when you have so many on one car, it's easy to put the info together. I know things can happen at any place at any time, even without any info out there... but it seems like some people make it too easy for someone to find and grab their kids.... I just think it's a bad idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I love cars with lots of bumper stickers, but I've never seen a bumper sticker that identifies people by name. Weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I got behind an SUV today with stickers all over the back of it. Just from reading the stickers, I knew their children's names, what school they go to, what sport they played, and what number was on their jersey. I kept thinking how easily a stranger could find them. I see stuff like this all the time, even stickers that tell the children's name and age. :001_huh: One sticker here and there to show support of your church, Scouting, school, etc., is not a big deal; but when you have so many on one car, it's easy to put the info together. I know things can happen at any place at any time, even without any info out there... but it seems like some people make it too easy for someone to find and grab their kids.... I just think it's a bad idea... I know exactly the ones you are talking about and agree completely. Someone could totally approach those kids and know enough to make them seem completely harmless. "Hi Kelsey. Aren't you on the drill team at Center High? So's my daughter!" Dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CroppinIt Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I know exactly the ones you are talking about and agree completely. Someone could totally approach those kids and know enough to make them seem completely harmless. "Hi Kelsey. Aren't you on the drill team at Center High? So's my daughter!" Dangerous. I completely agree. I don't even have our kids' names on our answering machine, much less plastered on the back of the van. *shudder* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom3tn Posted May 21, 2010 Author Share Posted May 21, 2010 I love cars with lots of bumper stickers, but I've never seen a bumper sticker that identifies people by name. Weird. Yep, they're out there. I see a lot of those stickers that look like little stick people of various genders and ages and the child's name is written above the figure. People put their whole family on there, even the pets. There are stickers that look like jerseys with the child's number on them and the name above it. Those are just a few examples... When you put them together with the other stickers that show support of your church or child's school, and the ones in the shape of a football helmet or baseball bat... it's just too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I don't like lots of bumper stickers because I get distracted reading them and end up driving poorly, especially since my eye sight is not good and I have to get awfully close to make some of them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I've never thought about it before, but, yeah, that really IS a bad idea! I don't have any bumper stickers on our cars, but I've seen the ones you are talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I know exactly the ones you are talking about and agree completely. Someone could totally approach those kids and know enough to make them seem completely harmless. "Hi Kelsey. Aren't you on the drill team at Center High? So's my daughter!" Dangerous. Whoa. I've seen those kinds of bumper stickers, and honestly, it never occurred to me before that they could be dangerous. Annoying, yes, but that dangerous? Wow, though, you are absolutely right. Very scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juelle Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I completely agree. I don't even have our kids' names on our answering machine, much less plastered on the back of the van. *shudder* :iagree: A self-defense teacher at our old church says these are the biggest danger points. You never want to advertise where your kids are when you aren't! And no stranger should have casual access to their names. He advised against any item of clothing or backpacks being embroidered with their names, too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Those stick figures are cute, but they always make me nervous. Especially the ones showing a single mom, or on obviously military cars (because the husband is possibly deployed and therefore not around to get in the way). Creeps me out. All someone would have to do is follow the family home, note the address, and come back that night. They know exactly how many people are in the house, the husband isn't at home (or not in the picture), etc. Yikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I got behind an SUV today with stickers all over the back of it. Just from reading the stickers, I knew their children's names, what school they go to, what sport they played, and what number was on their jersey. I kept thinking how easily a stranger could find them. I see stuff like this all the time, even stickers that tell the children's name and age. :001_huh: One sticker here and there to show support of your church, Scouting, school, etc., is not a big deal; but when you have so many on one car, it's easy to put the info together. I know things can happen at any place at any time, even without any info out there... but it seems like some people make it too easy for someone to find and grab their kids.... I just think it's a bad idea... I see those all the time here and have thought the same thing as you! Way to much info about their kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamturner Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I've always thought this was a bad idea. I don't understand why you want to advertise your dd's (or ds's) name and the fact that she takes dance or gymnastics, or....! I don't get it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I'm so paranoid that if I have to call my kids' over from a distance in public, I don't use their names. For ds(almost 13) I will call out "Son!" For dd8 I call out "Little One!" I know that I need a new name for her but "Daughter!" sounds weird. Any suggestions? - Jean (who self identifies as a free range parent on other threads but is really cautious about names) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I don't like lots of bumper stickers because I get distracted reading them and end up driving poorly, especially since my eye sight is not good and I have to get awfully close to make some of them out. I have two: BACK - OFF I'm not that kind of car and Sorry for driving so close infront of you. Just :lol: thinking that they may encourage people to drive too close, oops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I find them more obnoxious than frightening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I find them more obnoxious than frightening. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I know that I need a new name for her but "Daughter!" sounds weird. Any suggestions? Just "Dot"? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 A self-defense teacher at our old church says these are the biggest danger points. Of course there are bumper stickers that possibly do offer some protection. A police friend of mine suggested an NRA sticker. The trick is to make yourself a less attractive target and that particular sticker may give the bad guy a little pause for thought. As to the stick figures with family names, I agree a very bad idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Of course there are bumper stickers that possibly do offer some protection. A police friend of mine suggested an NRA sticker. The trick is to make yourself a less attractive target and that particular sticker may give the bad guy a little pause for thought. As to the stick figures with family names, I agree a very bad idea. I'm trying to think of what a good, safe, intimidating bumper sticker might be: "CAUTION: Rabid Attack Dog is My Co-Pilot....oh, and he's an NRA member." :driving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I'm trying to think of what a good, safe, intimidating bumper sticker might be: "CAUTION: Rabid Attack Dog is My Co-Pilot....oh, and he's an NRA member." :driving: My neighbor's car has "Don't Honk I'm Just Reloading" on his :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socalmom Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 I saw a car in a parking lot today with a stick figure family on the back window. The dad had a red "X" taped over the top of it. :001_huh: Margie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom3tn Posted May 22, 2010 Author Share Posted May 22, 2010 I saw a car in a parking lot today with a stick figure family on the back window. The dad had a red "X" taped over the top of it. :001_huh: Margie That's even worse, because someone might see that and conclude that the dad is not in the picture or living in the house, follow them home to see where they live, then go back later ... :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 I actually think that military identification is a deterrent just as is NRA, hunting logos, and any identification with the police (not FOP or something but real police ID). Burglars avoid houses that are known to be defended with arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 (edited) I actually think that military identification is a deterrent just as is NRA, hunting logos, and any identification with the police (not FOP or something but real police ID). Burglars avoid houses that are known to be defended with arms. I agree, wholeheartedly, the issue with military bumper stickers is that with so many servicemen deployed there have been cases where these have been seen as an opportunity for the scum in our society. Edited May 22, 2010 by pqr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessedfamily Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 I completely agree. I don't even have our kids' names on our answering machine, much less plastered on the back of the van. *shudder* I've seen the stick figures a lot, but yesterday was the first time I noticed the names on them. And yes, it was apparently a single mom. Not a good idea at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula in PA Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 :iagree: A self-defense teacher at our old church says these are the biggest danger points. You never want to advertise where your kids are when you aren't! And no stranger should have casual access to their names. He advised against any item of clothing or backpacks being embroidered with their names, too :iagree: My sister once brought back a t-shirt from her vacation one year with my dd's name on it. It sits in her drawer to this day because I never felt comfortable with her wearing it, even around here since she's outside a lot. It's also why I've never gotten her an embroidered bag from her dance studio. Just my FYI, we don't have any stickers on our car at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 I'm so paranoid that if I have to call my kids' over from a distance in public, I don't use their names. For ds(almost 13) I will call out "Son!" For dd8 I call out "Little One!" I know that I need a new name for her but "Daughter!" sounds weird. Any suggestions? - Jean (who self identifies as a free range parent on other threads but is really cautious about names) I know what you mean. It really freaked me out when ds was a toddler to have a strange man address him by name at a garage sale after hearing me use it, and ds acted like the man was a friend. Since then, I try to use "Son" or some term of affection instead of names. Is there anything you often call your dd, such as "Honey," "Sweetie," etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CroppinIt Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 I've seen the stick figures a lot, but yesterday was the first time I noticed the names on them. And yes, it was apparently a single mom. Not a good idea at all. There is only one that I've ever seen that didn't make me nervous -- it's the mom's van of one of our karate instructors. Having it on there that my teenage boy is a high degree black belt karate instructor... that I wouldn't mind having out there. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 (edited) I have had the fundraising members, from the kids sports teams, get snippy with me when I refused to buy a team logo sticker. I don't want people knowing that much about my kids, that easily. The team didn't just use them for fun, (it is neat when your driving around and know there is a team mate in the car ahead of you)....they used them for advertising to get new swimmers. It was a 'flood the market with brand identification' project. I also have a freind of a friend who had a car get vandalized due to a high school team sticker. A couple of teens from a rival team were drunk, lost a game, and took it out on her car. I have never, and would never, put stickers like these on my car. Edited May 22, 2010 by Tap, tap, tap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 I know what you mean. It really freaked me out when ds was a toddler to have a strange man address him by name at a garage sale after hearing me use it, and ds acted like the man was a friend. Since then, I try to use "Son" or some term of affection instead of names. Is there anything you often call your dd, such as "Honey," "Sweetie," etc.? I don't think she'd like me calling out "Boo-boo!" Jean - (who needs to come up with a better term of affection for her daughter:D) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 Nah. Honestly, those don't concern me much. I don't have a single sticker on my car, but I don't "worry" about other people with school and sports and other affiliations listed on their car. I've yet to see any real evidence that those sorts of things (or t-shirts with names on them, etc) are dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.