LOST!!!

I had a first today. I lost my child. It was the scariest few minutes of my life! I was out at JcPenny today and I allowed Cannon to walk next to me without having his monkey backpack on, which is a leash. He was doing great until I found a shirt I liked. He saw that my attention was otherwise occupied and made a run for it! I saw him run off but he disappeared in the racks of clothing. I lost sight of him. Usually he likes to hide in the clothes so I started calling out his name and looking under the racks. Well after a few minutes of searching and not getting a response from him I realized he may be really lost. I started to panic. I ran to the service desk to see if they had seen a little boy. The lady informed me that she just heard over her radio that a little boy had been found. Then she was no help after that. She didn't know where they had him or who I should contact. So I gave up on her and found someone else. The next lady told me he was in women's casuals at the front of the store, so I ran as fast as I could up there. I am thinking how mad I am at him, and how much trouble he is going to be in. But I find him standing up on the check out counter surrounded by women who are smiling and laughing at him. Of course he would have to do that. When he sees me he gives me the biggest smile and says "HI, MOOMMY!!!" I smile, roll my eyes and take him in my arms. I am such a softy. I hate it sometimes. The ladies told me they asked him what his Mommy's name was and he said Megan. So I was very happy that he had learned that much. When they asked his last name, he replied, "Mommy." At least he got the M right!

How do you teach a 2 almost 3 year old that it is not safe to run away from Mommy. That you get lost and it may not always be a nice person that finds you. I told him as we walked out to the car that he was very naughty for running away, and it made mommy very sad and scared. He seemed to feel sorry because he didn't like that mommy was sad. I also told him that if he runs away from mommy that I may not get him back. He may not see mommy again and someone else will take him home. Maybe I can scare it out of him!!! :) I wish children came with instruction manuals. I wish I knew how to handle these situations. I think I will no longer take Cannon shopping by myself until he learns he has to listen to me. I can't imagine what I would be doing right now if I hadn't found him. Thank you God for watching over us!