? about harness for active 1 year old

[jjjbennett]

I've never liked these harnesses and am kind of sensitive to rude comments (I know shouldn't bother me but it does) But with a WDW trip looming and 22 month old who is far from content to just sit in a stroller or be held, I am pondering getting a harness so that he can walk or move around in line but we wouldn't lose him. We have 3 other kids to keep track of (all old enough to obey instructions) but it is hard to keep focused every minute on the 22 month old. Does anyone have experience using these at WDW did it work well and did you have to put up with comments like "do you have a dog or kid" you know the kind of comments I mean.

 

[EthansMom]

We used a harness on DS at DisneyLand in March (at 18 mos.) and heard only admiring comments -- no negative ones. Our harness is a Safety First that goes around his chest and velcros in the back -- gives him plenty of freedom of movement, but he's unable to remove it. He liked being able to walk when he wanted and go in the stroller when he was worn out -- the harness also worked well in lines for rides where you can't have the stroller.

I've only used our harness a couple times and have never received negative comments, but always figured that if I did I would tell the person "I wouldn't be nearly as upset if my dog got lost!"

EthansMom

 

[pixiechick]

I'll be honest, prior to having kids and going to WDW, I questioned the appropriateness of harnesses for children. After going, no longer! I'm sure some people will look twice and comment to themselves, but who cares! It is a very very busy place, with lots of distractions for young children. Do what you think is safe for your child. If that includes a harness, use one. Have a great, and safe, trip!

 

[lindabacker]

Anyone who makes a negative comment about these apparently has or have had no active toddlers. Use it, it will give you the peace of mind of knowing that you are not going to turn away for two seconds, look back and your child is gone. If anyone doesn't like it, that is their problem.

 

[Selket]

Anything that helps keep kids safe is a-ok in my book. That being said we tried one of these for my son (who is now 5) when he was 1-2 yrs old and he thought it was just hilarious to pull on it and go around in circles or to lie down and see if we could pick him up by the harness - LOL! Hard to explain but it seemed too much like a toy to him and ended up being useless. You might want to try it out on your child in the mall or somewhere first to see if it will work.

 

[mmgrdg]

Originally posted by lindabacker
Anyone who makes a negative comment about these apparently has or have had no active toddlers.

ditto that! Better safe than sorry! We had one for my DS when we were there, because he is NONSTOP...but surprisingly enough, he was very content to ride in the stroller and the crowds and lines weren't as bad as expected. We ended up keeping the harness in the back of the stroller, but didn't have to use it. Trust me though, if he was acting at Disney anything like he acts at home, he'd sure have been in it!!

 

[BevS97]

we used one all the time with my dd and it never occured to me not to use it at WDW. I never heard a negative comment, but it wouldn't have stopped me using one if I had.
I think for a one year old I would use a full harness, but maybe consider extending the length of the reins a little - ours had a very short rein, which really annoyed my dd because it kept her so close.
When she was older (3) we used a bumbag and attached a strap to that, so it was less restrictive but we could still keep track of her.

And, yes, they all play the falling down game, and the lets run round in a circle game, but that's part of being a toddler, and if you don't join in they get bored with it pretty quickly - I think it's a small price to pay for your childs safety

Bev

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Used one for both of my boys. They are teenagers now. I used to use the one that goes around the chest and got a ton of negative comments. Then we switched to the one that kind of handcuffs the two of you together. That apparently was okay with the mouthy public. NOt with me. Both kids used to rip off the velcro and run. I went back to the harness better safe than sorry.

The most amazing thing I remeber was that the comments I got were from men!

Use the harness because I find that even now the times I am most likley to think mean thoughts about a parent is when they are not holding a child's hand or keeping them secure in some way.

 

[riggins]

We used one with DD at 16 months and it worked great and we got nothing but positive comments from people. She was fine in her stroller while we were on the go, so we primarily used it while waiting in line. We bought the kind that is a fanny pack and she called it her "purse" and carried her Mickey stickers in it.

We are going back in October and she'll be 27 months and plan to use it again.

Good Luck.

 

[skiwee1]

We used one when DD was little and got nothing but good things said. Everyone asked where we got it at as they wanted one too. Others said they wished they had them when their kids were little. I couldn't care less what people think anyway. They are my kids and my decision!

 

[undertheradar]

Your child, your choice. We have used them and did receive negative comments- shrugged them off and went on our way. Those same people who make the negative comments would be the first to comment what terrible parenting you exhibit if you lost your child. You feel secure using it and you know where your child is. Go for it!

 

[Amaris]

Ugh, we have one for our daughter who is six... I would rather use it than lose her. She has autism and wanders freely, without it she would be lost rather quickly. It is nearly impossible to hold a child's hand for that long, and she would scream constantly if we attempted to use a stroller. If we lost her those people pointing fingers would question what kind of parents we were for letting her walk off alone.

Everyone has their own reasons for using or not using a harness for their child, and people who will comment , will comment, no matter who you are or how old your child is.

I also frowned on harnesses before I had children. I think the biggest experts on parenting are people who don't have kids.

note: the "harness" we use is actually a home made one, it is a short rope that has clips on each end, one clips to dad, one clips to child on a beltloop . The chld can walk next to you but if they walk more than 2 feet away it tugs. It is far less obvious than the actual harness they sell, making it less eye catching to use with older children. We have never had a rude comment ( so far) but then again, most people don't see it

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

The first time I used a harness on my oldest DD, I had the mom of the 15yo next to us ask if harnesses came in teenage sizes!

Older DD never had too much problem with the harness. Younger DD is not a fan of it, but that doesn't really matter. She will still be wearing it on our trip next month! She is far too adventurous to be allowed to go without it.

 

[PattnFmly]

We have the fanny pack type too, for our 4 and 2.5 yr old boys. They are extremely adventurous, don't always listen and I'd rather have them close. I loop the end around my wrist and then we hold hands. That way, they are learning to hold hands and not take off, but if they do, they can't get away. We find we do more stopping to put "rocks, sticks and the occasional ant" into the fanny pack than trying to get away anymore! I look forward to when we don't need them, but for now, it really helps in a crowd!

 

[addie]

Anyone know the web address to Safety First to order a harness?

Thanks!

 

[sters]

You guys have got me wondering where I can buy the fanny pack style harness? My 3-yr-old LOVES to play Run-And-Hide-From-Mommy, which she thinks is highly amusing. I'm thinking that at Disney I sholdn't take a chance. I used to be "one of those" who thought bad things about harnesses, but she's my 3rd and they all take off in different directions FAST.

 

[Gillian]

I don't care what people think about the harness. I use it because I do care about my child NOT running away or disturbing other people (when I knock them over while chasing him )

rightstart.com has one do a search for harness

onestepahead.com has 2 - a fanny pack kind and an over the shoulder harness one step ahead

edited to say - if your kid is as skinny as mine, you may want to skip the fanny pack style. DS has a bob the builder tool belt, and no matter how tight I make it (allowing for breathing) he can wiggle out of it!

 

[BrerMom]

My Houdini could get out of anything. We used the "Kid Keeper" from One Step Ahead and it worked well. He still tried to get it off, but at least there was a lot of velcro to rip before he succeeded and I always caught him first.

I prefer the harness type for lots of reasons, but I wonder if they are too hot for the kids during the summer. We went in January, so it wasn't an issue.

Every kid is different. If you have a runner or one that doesn't understand danger, use it rather than being tense the whole vacation.

 

[BevS97]

I guess they come in different styles, but ours is just a few straps and a buckle in the middle of the back - there's no way the child could reach the buckle, and there's not anything that should make them hot.