Active, Stubborn and Independent 2.5 year old

[Poohs#1fan]

My DD was about that age last year at WDW and behaved the same way...VERY INDEPENDANT!! I had a traditional harness from when my DS was little but she refused to wear it. I found my solution at walmart.com. I found a harness that doubles as a purse! It's adorable..bright pink, my daughter loved it! She thought she was just wearing a pretty purse like mommy does and we had control of her the whole time. She did spend plenty of time in the srtoller but we just left the harness on so that we were always ready when she wanted to walk. She had so much fun putting things in her purse and even kept her WDW receipts in it. If I knew how to post pics I would, I have some of her wearing it. Let me know if you want me to e-mail them to you.

I have this same one for my DD. I bought it just for our trip which is next week, but we've been practicing and we both love it. We have used it everywhere from the mall to the zoo. She loves that she can be independent and I love that she can't get away. I think it will save our Disney trip

 

[mookie]

I have this same one for my DD. I bought it just for our trip which is next week, but we've been practicing and we both love it. We have used it everywhere from the mall to the zoo. She loves that she can be independent and I love that she can't get away. I think it will save our Disney trip

yeah! Glad to see that someone else will be there at the same time as us and using one....dont' know why I'm comforted by that...it's like "strength in numbers" from getting ridiculed.

I bought the one that looks like a monkey...see you at the parks with our "leashes!"

 

[KristyBDJ]

I used to think that the "leashes" were awful...like you think your kids are dogs. I swore I would never use them....that is until I had my first baby who then became the "runaway kid" .....ha ha mommy, you can't find me!! Then I said...I GET IT NOW!!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Sounds like all posters have something in common **2 yr old independence**
we have the monkey backpack and I recently purchased a regular backpack harness w/ a cup holder. We use it everywhere!!!! He will actually ask for it over the stroller;he does not want to ride in the buggies at the store or the stroller (sometimes I do not give him the choice). I also purchased two silocone bracelets (ours has his name, my name & cell # and dad's name and Cell #),-we have been practicing wearing on his ankle*idea from a disser**, I also purchased two dogs tags on hooks to attach to his shoes w/ the same info. My little one will run on us every chance he gets (although not as bad lately); I am so afraid he runs just when we are in a major crowd. Good Luck to all!!! and much fun and pixie dust sent to each of us on our upcoming ventures.

 

[disneybridetobe]

yeah! Glad to see that someone else will be there at the same time as us and using one....dont' know why I'm comforted by that...it's like "strength in numbers" from getting ridiculed.

I bought the one that looks like a monkey...see you at the parks with our "leashes!"

We'll be there with our leash too!! More strength in numbers! Honestly-- I've never ever once been hassled about it. The only thing that people have *ever* said is "Where did you get that? we need one!"

 

[longing2Batdisney]

We'll be there with our leash too!! More strength in numbers! Honestly-- I've never ever once been hassled about it. The only thing that people have *ever* said is "Where did you get that? we need one!"

I get that alot, too! I can't believe how many older people will ask me where I got mine. Many want one for their grandkids-lol. (I was a non-believer with my older two children --but they looked like dog leashes back then)

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

My daughter won't sit in a stroller and gets bored of holding my hand. It's a complete meltdown when I enforce the "either/or" rule. So, I am probably going to buy one of the wrist "leashes". We are going during the busiest season and would hate to get seperated from my little one.

What did you do? Any opinions or advice?

DS 2.5 has a similar "condition"...

We used a harness backpack that looks like a monkey. He was able to walk with relative freedom, but he knows he couldn't go anywhere without his monkey.

He did really great with it.

 

[mookie]

Just got our harness monkey in the mail today! OMG it's so stinkin cute! I can't wait til ds gets up from his nap....I'm going to test it out walking to pick up my dd to the bus...wish us luck that he likes it!

 

[bjeannep]

I have a backpack buddy monkey and my son loved it! We actually used it as a halloween costume, dressed him all in yellow, put the BPB on and he became the Man in the Yellow hat with Curious George on his back!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

i have a backpack buddy monkey and my son loved it! We actually used it as a halloween costume, dressed him all in yellow, put the bpb on and he became the man in the yellow hat with curious george on his back!

i love it !!!!!

 

[RFrank9504]

my kids were all about the harness when they were smaller-it was freedom to them. We never called it a leash-we called it Mo, short for mobility. Lots of people there use them. I'm a fan!

 

[dansamy]

I would not use the wrist leash for a couple of reasons: 1) It is easily removed by any child who can undo their own velcro strapped shoes. 2) It is a potential for injury to the child's wrist/elbow/shoulder joints. Should an exuberant tour group come barreling through between you and your child, they could be snatched with quite a good deal of force. And I promise you, at least once, someone is going to try to cut through between you and your child and get caught by the leash.

A harness is a better alternative. It is more difficult to remove. Any force applied to the leash is more evenly distributed around the child's body and thus, less likely to induce any injury. And the stuffed animal backpack type ones are much cuter looking than the "dog harness" looking ones.

However, all that said, 2 year olds are at a time when they are asserting their independence. It is your job as their parent to create and enforce boundaries. For my children, we used "choices". Always only 2 choices, each of which was equally acceptable to me for their safety and well-being. Even now, at 8, my drama queen will tell me that she doesn't "want" to do her chores and I reply with "I don't recall asking you if you wanted to do it. It is time to do your chores now." This is a continuous thing with the most dramatic and independent of my 3. However, now that she is 8, there really isn't an option about things like chores. At 2, she had choices like: stroller or chopping cart? It's important to set and enforce those boundaries early. Or you may have an 8 year old who still throws temper tantrums. (We're STILL working on that! )

 

[disneybridetobe]

Just got our harness monkey in the mail today! OMG it's so stinkin cute! I can't wait til ds gets up from his nap....I'm going to test it out walking to pick up my dd to the bus...wish us luck that he likes it!

Cool!! I hope he likes it. Maybe introduce him as new friend

 

[mookie]

Cool!! I hope he likes it. Maybe introduce him as new friend

Hey...keep meaning to tell you this too (OT). I see in your siggie that your doin the Clomid #3. Wishing you best of luck on that. Gotta tell ya, we were on Clomid for my middle ds and my week to take it was in WDW. Guess what? I don't know if it was the magic, the pixie dust, or what, but it WORKED! here's hoping it sticksfor you too...boy do I know how hard that wishing and waiting can be!

 

[disneybridetobe]

Hey...keep meaning to tell you this too (OT). I see in your siggie that your doin the Clomid #3. Wishing you best of luck on that. Gotta tell ya, we were on Clomid for my middle ds and my week to take it was in WDW. Guess what? I don't know if it was the magic, the pixie dust, or what, but it WORKED! here's hoping it sticksfor you too...boy do I know how hard that wishing and waiting can be!

Thank you! I'm hoping it works, too. If it doesn't, my 4th and maybe final round will be taken in WDW... maybe that's the trick! I'm in the 2ww now, and omg, the waiting is brutal!! My temp is up, but I had a triphasic chart last month.. and well.. nada. I really hope that we get some serious pixie dust!