Amber Alerts

The other day I was reading one of many old and unread Parenting magazines. These things tend to stack up at our house, because I have very little time to read. I also think they are magically multiplying when I'm not looking.

One of the articles mentioned Amber Alert bracelets for kids. I must admit that I haven't thought much about this before becoming a parent. I checked out the web site and ended up signing up for mobile phone updates.

Up here in the sticks of Michigan, people can be pretty lax when it comes to locking doors and keeping an eye on their kids. It's not unusual to see very small and very young children riding their bikes up and down the main drags (which are state highways, essentially). We routinely get unsupervised kids coming door-to-door hawking whatever the current school or sports fundraiser is at the time; I can't even believe parents let their kids do this anymore. In a lot of ways, living up here is like stepping back in time. It's a nice idea, but I'm sure we have just as many creeps lurking around as they do in every other part of the country.

The thought of my child becoming lost or kidnapped is absolutely terrifying. I usually never sign up for these types of things, but in this case, I couldn't help but think that if my child were missing, I'd want all the help I could get.

Are you signed up for Amber Alert notifications? I'm curious if those of you who live in more populated areas see these often. I can't remember ever hearing about one locally in the six years I've lived here.

Amy does lock her doors. She blogs over at This Northern Life.