What do you think about putting children on a leash?

[Feralpeg]

I've said before I hate leashes and would never use them but this is just crazy. If you are insinuating that Disney is so dangerous you need a leash to keep your child safe you are just wrong. There has never been an abduction at Disney and all the years and millions of children that have been there.
Use a leash if you want they aren't against the law but don't go using this as a reason.

And if you think it is that dangerous I would never take my child somewhere that they needed to be on a leash to keep from being harmed and possibly you should think about that. Please the world is not the bad place folks like you want to propose. actually it is safer than it was when we were kids, but no one wants to face the real facts.

There are a lot of dangers in WDW that come to mind before abduction. What about a child watching a parade who suddenly darts out in front of a float? Could you get to the child fast enough? Maybe. What about waiting at bus stops? So many times, I've had to hold my breath watching little children playing at WDW bus stops. There is no way those buses could stop should the child dart out suddenly.

My point being that kids are fast. It only takes a fraction of a second for a child to put themselves in danger. Very often, it isn't something we'd even think about as dangerous. A child and ride track could be lethal under the right circumstances.

I know that many will say that their kids know better or that they are the type that never stray. It only takes once. As noted earlier in this thread, I'm sure the family from England never dreamed their 4 year old niece would run from their side and be killed by a car during their vacation. Accidents happen. We all do what we think best to keep our families safe. If a leash is not for your family, that's fine, but please don't judge those that feel it is right for their kids.

 

[Wombat]

My dd has a doggie pack with a leash, and at DCA last year she and a couple other children were walked around the park by Goofy. It was quite amusing. We generally only hook the leash on in congested areas or to keep her from head butting a character in the crotch.

 

[sters]

Never believed in leashes until my 3rd,who would take off at the slightest provocation and thought it was great fun to "hide" from me. Standing at the cash register, fishing through my pocketbook for money, and my fast food tray nearby was a favorite time for my daughter to dash away. So decided to try a leash and first day out, my daughter broke it, pulling like a dalmatian. Oh well.

 

[princessallegra]

I prefer to call it a "tether," not a leash...

And to answer your question, why does NASA put Astronauts on a tether?

Hahaha that's what my DH just said. About the tether that is.

 

[NikitaZee]

I don't like them. I won't use them. I taught my kids early on either hold hands or sit in the stroller, decide on the lesser of 2 evils.

This is exactly what we do with our kids. I was open-minded to trying the leash thing once for a Disney trip - but my husband feels so strongly about not using them that I didn't pursue it. So, we gave them a choice - hold hands or back in the stroller - and it usually ends up being the stroller after a couple of minutes of crying about it.

 

[aristocatz]

My BIL & SIL use a backpack leash for their 2 year old and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's not wrapped around her neck or anything. It's a cute backpack that looks like a monkey with a strap attached.

A child that young has zero safety skills & in addition to that, many things can happen in large crowds. I can't count how many times you read about a child related accident or kidnapping followed by those famous words "I only turned away for a second"

I also think this is very appropriate for a child with special needs who might cognitively lack safety skills.

I view people who use these things as very responsible parents.

I also think that allowing the "leash" versus the stroller is actually teaching your child safety skills, by allowing them to walk but still being able to prompt them when necessary.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

i always thought the leashes were crazy...until....
i had my youngest son in dec and have a very busy toddler. they are 22mths apart....safety is 1st priority for me....no matter how silly it looks.
my son likes to wear it. It is a monkey and i hold onto it's tail. He wears it around without the tail sometimes just to play with it. doesn't bother him at all.

 

[Cdn Gal]

I was on a leash as a kid!!! Same as my DS. We took off any chance we got. I don't have kids myself but I don't see anything really really bad about it!

 

[bam1515]

I have now 5 yr old twins. When we first went to Disney (age 1 1/2) I used the backpack dog and monkey. Not b/c my kids were out of control, wanderers climbers, etc.. but for SAFETY reasons while walking ( I did have a stroller too but they can't stay it that all day). Disney was the only place I used it b/c of the size and # of people around. with the 2 of them it was easier to hold the backpacks. They loved it!

Don't knock it 'til you try it! Everyone has their opinions and reasons!

 

[Suellen]

I was on a leash as a kid!!! Same as my DS. We took off any chance we got. I don't have kids myself but I don't see anything really really bad about it!

You have a DS but no kids?

 

[kymom99]

I never needed one for my son, but if I did, I wouldn't have hesitated to use one! After taking my grandson to a local amusement park and holding onto his hood the whole time, I mentioned to my husband that if his mother ever decided to try a leash, I wouldn't judge!

 

[luvthemouse71]

You have a DS but no kids?

I'm thinking it's "sister"..

 

[RDM83]

You have a DS but no kids?

I was confused too, but I think it means dear sister..

 

[ambertides]

If they made those in adult sizes I would sure get one. DH stops in his tracks to take pictures and wonders off while I'm still in mid sentence. Once I held a full conversation with him and then realized he was still in Canada and I was almost to France!

Oh, me, too, me, too! Though, to be honest, I'm probably actually the problem - I think he's following me, but I've wandered off, and he's still wherever. At least at Disney. In the grocery store, it's usually the other way. I'm on one aisle reading labels or flipping through coupons, and he's 5 aisles down drolling at the steak.

I was a very "oooh, shiny" child, and I'm a very "oooh, shiny" adult. If my mom hadn't been anti-leash, I probably would've gotten MANY fewer spankings.

I think they're great, honestly. The kid gets a bit of freedom (and exercise!), but in a safe (as long as you're still keeping an eye on them, which I think most are) context. I don't have kids, but if I did and they were like me as a child (or me now, to be honest), I'd have zero problems using them.

 

[aceys_h0ney]

Hey even Disney tethers their characters to the floats in the parade for their safety. I'm just saying...

 

[RDM83]

I was a very "oooh, shiny" child, and I'm a very "oooh, shiny" adult.

 

[BelleChick]

I was a very clingy child and never strayed far from my parents. My cousin was not. She was always put on one because she would wander off. However, I always wanted to be on one because I seemed to think they were super cool...like a friendship rope...lol..My mom didn't and wouldn't put me on one.

I guess I think you should do what is best for you and your child. If you think it is necessary and your child doesn't mind it, then go for it. If you are at all uncomfortable with the idea, then don't.

 

[Mommy to Eli]

Hi everyone! This is my first post. I've had fun browsing the board for the past couple of days. I got lots of great info and know never to pool hop or reuse and old mug but I didn't see this topic.

I am taking my son on his first Disney trip at the end of May and am very excited! He will be 18 months old. He doesn't mind strolling but I know he will want to walk some of the time. I am one of those people who (before I became a parent) used to say I would never put my child on a leash but now I am considering it. I think he might prefer it to being forced to hold my hand the whole time.

So are kids on a leash a do or a don't? Has anyone used those little backpack ones? Thanks for any advice!

 

[huckster]

hi welcome let me just say that this topic may get you some answers you dont want to hear many people post their opinions and they can be very STRONG
as for me i would not use a lease .

 

[bellaprincess98]

Hi everyone! This is my first post. I've had fun browsing the board for the past couple of days. I got lots of great info and know never to pool hop or reuse and old mug but I didn't see this topic.

I am taking my son on his first Disney trip at the end of May and am very excited! He will be 18 months old. He doesn't mind strolling but I know he will want to walk some of the time. I am one of those people who (before I became a parent) used to say I would never put my child on a leash but now I am considering it. I think he might prefer it to being forced to hold my hand the whole time.

So are kids on a leash a do or a don't? Has anyone used those little backpack ones? Thanks for any advice!

There was a recent thread (Maybe like 3 days ago) that mentioned this topic. You may find in the next page or so. Basically, most people were for it especially for the little kids who tend to run off easily. Better to be on a leash than to loose your child.

I used to be like you. I never used one for my oldest son, and I always said that I never would, however, when my second son was born I was totally for it. He is a runner!

So if you decide to use one, I think the backpack ones are the way to go. It will leave his hands free.