CopperPhoenix:

I finally got my child to safety. The trick is NOT to tell her to follow you. She will follow on her own. Once I got topside her mother was there to pick her up. Finally got threw it!!!

I tried doing as CopperPhoenix suggested [after 2 failed previous attempts] and guess what? Yep - it works a treat! Don't use the follow expression on your offspring and they'll auto follow you out of the cave AND up the ladder to Rookridge where your spouse will be waiting for the safe return of ur child.