Children getting lost can be every parent’s worst nightmare. But learning how to navigate and find your way back are vital life skills for your older children to learn. And it can also be great fun! Here is our story…
You can read the first part of this story here…
Why Getting Lost is Good for Older Children
Tomos (Aged 10)
I think we might be lost. I’m sure we should have been back to the house by now. And I definitely don’t remember there being a lake last time we went round.
Go left, left and then left again. And we should be back home. I’m sure that worked before.
Or maybe we took a right at that last turning.
“Luc, I think we might be lost!”
“Tomos, I think we need to turn around now!” Luc calls to me. “Mummy said to follow signs to the Plaza if we ever get lost because we know our way home from there.”
“I know! But I can’t see any signs, can you?” We turn around and head back.
Another turning. No signs. Do we go right, left or straight ahead? I really don’t remember the lake being quite this big.
We’re starting to head back up hill now. That feels right, I’m sure we came down a hill on the way.
But I’m not sure there this many no entry signs on the way down?
How do we get back up?
“Tomos, this sign says to go that way to the Plaza!” Luc tells me excitedly.
“But it says no scooters or bikes beyond this point.” I read the big red warning sign. “We need to find the bike and scooter path.”
I just don’t know where it is.
“Tomos, we’re back at the lake again!” Luc laughs “Look at the boats! Do you think we could go on a boat?”
How are we back at the lake again? Great advice Mum. Just follow the signs if you get lost, she says. All the signs keep taking us in circles. I’m starting to get a little bit worried now.
“Tomos! Luc!” Grandad is coming towards us on a different path – wait, was that road there the whole time?
Grandad takes us down the secret path away from the lake and back towards the activity centre. I feel a bit better as I know where I am now.
And I can tell Mummy and Daddy all about the lake we found and how Grandad found us on the secret path. And about all the no-entry signs!
He drops us off on a bench just in time for our next activity. But wait, none of the other grown-ups are here. Where are they?
Grandad huffs and tells us to wait while he goes and finds everyone else. I guess it’s not just kids who get lost after all.
Make a Plan for Getting Lost
Letting children start going off on their own can be a daunting prospect, whether its going out to play with friends, walking home from school alone or going to the shops. Here are some good things to consider if your child is ready to start spreading their wings. And remember to make a plan for getting lost.
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