What do you think about putting children on a leash?

[Shelton123]

If that's what you need to do to control your child, then I'd rather see a child on a leash than running all over the place, getting lost, etc.

BUT I don't think it's necessary for every child. But WDW is so big, and there are so many people, so I don't judge when I see a kid on a leash there. However, if I see a kid on a leash somewhere else, like at a store, where things aren't breakable and it isn't crowded, I just don't see the point.

 

[dsanner106]

No need for leashes, just get some of those shock collars that work on proximity. Actually, you could even take the batteries out and I bet they will stay close by

 

[jusero]

I have two grands: four and two. Now the four-year-old never needed to be tethered since he stayed close all the time and was more timid. The two-year-old however is absolutely fearless. If we didn't keep her on a tether in crowded situations, she would be lost all the time. She loves to just take off at any time in any direction. We don't tether her all the time, just in very crowded situations where it would be easy to lose sight of her. I think tethers are a great tool and necessary sometimes with some kids, but not all the time or with all kids.

 

[nortonthetraveler]

My opinion is that it depends on the age of the kids. Anything over 7 is way too old.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

I have an "ooh, shiny!" DS who will be 18 months old as of our trip. We're bringing a Pooh backpack with tether for all the general reasons mentioned---safety, he's a runner, etc.

The other issue is the body mechanics of holding hands all day. For me, walking bent to the side about 10 degrees to hold the hand of someone under 3 feet tall gets tiring after about 30 minutes. My poor DH is in pain and doing yoga stretches to fix his back in about 10 minutes of toddler hand holding. Sure, we could manage, but why be in pain if there is a tool to prevent that?

We'll use the stroller, go without the tether a lot of the time, hold the kid, but being able to set him down while I root around in the backpack for goldfish crackers will be infinitely easier and safer if I have that strip of fabric running from me to him.

I'm not sure I understand the "why" part of the opposition to harnesses/leashes/tethers. What (aside from claims of inattentive parenting) is wrong with them? Is it just a visceral reaction to the idea of it?

 

[EnchantedTales]

Personally, I think some "parents" should be on leashes.

This made me laugh, thanks.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

There are many different types of parent. If someone has taken the time to go out to buy a leash as they think it is the best way to keep their child safe, other people should be happy that those parents care enough to do it.

 

[tazdev3225]

I haven't read all the replies but YES I use a leash, tether harness whatever you want to call it. I used one on my middle DD when she was little because I had 3 kids under 5 and she was a wanderer. I lost her everywhere I went if she wasn't connected to me.
I now use one for her DS. He is almost 4 and a darter. He has gotten out of every stroller he has ever been in. He has run into the school his sister attends because I can't get the baby out of her stroller fast enough and he runs into every street he sees. He is also has a moderate hearing loss bghso he can't hear me yell at him to stop. I actually tether him to my belt loops when he plays T-ball, I am the coach, because he will run. If attaching him to me ion some way keeps him safe then I am going to do it. When we go to Disney next year there will be 6 kids and 8 adults and 2 "leashes".

 

[TiffinyKC]

I know that this is a serious subject for many, but I just have to say that I haven't been able to stop laughing since reading this thread. Here's a couple of reasons why:

Just the use of the word leash as it applies to children.

Why put an astronaut on a leash?

Parents on leashes as opposed to the child.

All priceless.

Personally, I would not and did not leash my DS when he was younger; like another poster said I find it a little odd. I guess I can see why some would though. Anyhow, I've had a good laugh...so thanks for that!

 

[kymmyk13]

I work with children with special needs, and a few of them have a band that goes round their wrist with a long handle for the parent/carer. If they didn't have one, the child would need one person ether side holding their hands to keep them out of trouble.

I say don't judge, if you don't want your kids on a 'leash' (I don't like that word really), and you don't think your child needs it, then don't! Some parents aren't so lucky to know their children will not run off.

DD5 is special needs and when we are at WDW in May she will alternate between her stroller and her monkey backpack, she is a runner and has impulse issues. if you see a child on a leash do not judge, you do not have all the facts.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

DD5 is special needs and when we are at WDW in May she will alternate between her stroller and her monkey backpack, she is a runner and has impulse issues. if you see a child on a leash do not judge, you do not have all the facts.

We have a friend that used a tether on her son. He was a runner as well! Unless you held tightly to his hand at all times, he would run, run and run some more! I never judge anyone.

 

[ccgirl]

Wow! I see Art1 is at it again. First, mothers should stay home with their children rather than send them to daycare and now this. It must be nice to live in your "perfect" world. Although I never judged anyone else for using them, I never understood the purpose of harnesses either until my DS2 bolted from me at the mall as I looked down to see a price tag. How long is that...maybe 2 seconds? We searched for him for 30 minutes. Worst 30 minutes of my life. I promptly went out and purchased the monkey backpack harness. Do all children need it, no, my DD never did. But, if it helps keep children safe, that's what we should all be concerned with, then it is a good thing. Not only that, but if you have multiple children it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep your eyes on ALL of them at once. It is not to just prevent my son from darting off but also from others darting off with him.

 

[troyer]

I made fun of people with kids on leashes until my yougest DS came along he went from crawling to running and hiding. I no longer make fun of people like that cause I are one now. I also tell people I am on the leash not him.

 

[marciemouse]

Oh boy, I sure hope you are joking about the scaring kids by telling them they will have to live with another family. I would NEVER say that to my youngest 4 kids because we are their second family. Well, third if you count their foster families. We adopted them 10 years ago after they were neglected and abused by their birth parents then spent almost 2 years in separate foster homes before being reunited in our family. Once when my dd was in kindergarten, the very sweet para teased her by saying she wanted to take my dd home with her. My dd just about had a panic attack! Fortunately I teach at the same school so she was brought to me and I was able to find out what she was so upset about. The poor lady was so upset that she had scared my dd. I wasn't upset but wanted her to personally tell my dd that she was only teasing, which she did.

I was thinking along this same line, as our daughter is recently adopted. For any child who is dealing with attachment issues and adjusting to life in a new family, the scaring tactic would just be absolutely cruel. I know the person who posted it was joking around, but as a parent of an adopted child, it made me cringe a little.

 

[cmurray234]

I used one once at a children's museum when my DD was under 2 and my DS was a newborn. The 2 year old was a runner and she would run to places in the museum that the stroller couldn't go. My friend lent me a harness and I used it that day to slow her down.

I never used it again, but I didn't need to. If I had, I would have had no problem strapping her into it again. No matter how "weird" it looks, it beats the heck out of losing your mind with worry.

 

[andee515]

we were at Disney mar 9-16 and definately had my 3 yr old on a leash. How is this really a "hot topic", we strap are kids into things everyday to keep them safe;car seats, strollers, shopping carts, high chairs. My son is autistic, does not follow commands and can't stand holding hands; I do what I need to to keep him and my other children safe. I actually got many positive comments on my sons monkey, of course who knows what others were saying. we had a great week at Disney, monkey and all!

 

[BBG-BLT]

I'm a pro leash ever since we had #4 and she became mobile (at 1 year). She's a runner and the 15 minutes we had it off of her last year (while we were talking outside of TSM) she escaped. We are VERY lucky that a friend who was with us saw her dart around the corner. All 4 of us had split up to find her. She thinks its funny and she's just too young to explain it to her that this is not funny and not a good thing.

If it keeps the kid safe and the parents from being any more stressed than I'm good with it.

Oh when I just had twins I thought people were silly to use them... oh how we learn...

 

[Zeebs]

I was thinking along this same line, as our daughter is recently adopted. For any child who is dealing with attachment issues and adjusting to life in a new family, the scaring tactic would just be absolutely cruel. I know the person who posted it was joking around, but as a parent of an adopted child, it made me cringe a little.

Clrearly adopted children are a special case and you take into consideration what type of children you have before saying things to them. When I told my 3 year old that if he ran off he would have to go home with a different family he just laughed and siad noooooo. Some children do have a sense of humour. We didn't carry on with joke but explained then what he needed to do if he/we got lost.

Kirsten

 

[megan926]

I *try* not to judge...but I would never in a million years do it to my own child.

 

[JDUCKY]

Personally, I think it's completely ridiculous and actually find it abhorrent.