Alternative to baby "leash"

[wishiwereindisney]

Ds is two and a very fast runner. It is a challenge keeping him close and not running away. He also hates the stroller. Any strategies for me? Dh is really against the leash but I am worried we need something

 

[ZoeisMommy]

We have the backpack with tether from babies r us. Its perfect for holding autograph book and pen...a few small toys.

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

The way I see it, the keep-small-child-close options are:

-stroller
-backpack style safety harness (I think much of the debate on this stems from people using the term "leash," and there tend to be irrational emotional responses to that word)
-holding hands (practice this a LOT in crowds beforehand for maximum effectiveness)
-carrying (not so pleasant for mom and dad)

 

[Phatoomch]

Where I'm from, we use baby 'reins' its a harness that fits around their little body (very easy to wear, not restrictive) and you hold the reins. Much safer, in my opinion, than the ones that tether to their wrist - I worry it will 'dis-joint' them. My daughter HAD to have these otherwise she'd been gone in a blink of an eye LOL

I'm not sure if they sell them here but you could look online at a UK store like Mothercare, here is a link Baby reins at Mothercare

 

[Hannathy]

Lots of practice with consistency now with consequences. No matter where you go he has to stay right with you, or you leave immediately, Going for a walk to the park, he runs you go home immediately and he has a time out. Going for ice cream, he doesn't stay, no ice cream and you go home. grocery store, with you or into the cart or home. Every single time, no exceptions.


I'm with your DH, hate them.

 

[Olivejuicy]

My daughter loved her monkey backpack with the tail harness/leash. She no longer needs it and sometimes asks to wear it. If your husband's concern is judgment from others, I wouldn't worry about that. If he has moral oppoaition to the leash, for lack of a better way of putting it, I would ask him how he wants to ensure your child's safety.

I think leash/harnesses, whatever, are a legitimate way to give kids freedom to roam without worrying about impulsive taking off which toddlers tend to do.

 

[larryz]

Dh is really against the leash but I am worried we need something

Call it a "tether" and remind him that NASA tethers astronauts to the Space Station when they're outside working.

It's because they love their astronauts and don't want to see them drift away...

 

[minnie mum]

Here's my take on a father reluctant to use a tether:

1. Buy the backpack tether. Show it to him and make sure you emphasize the term tether, not leash. If he goes for it fine. If he doesn't like it, bring it with you anyway. Stow it away in your park bag.

2. When you get to the first park- give DH custody of DS and the stroller. Let him handle the issues of DS wanting out of said stroller. Let him take DS by the hand in the crowds and/or carry him.

3. When DH starts complaining about how hard it is to keep DS from breaking away and/or wants you to carry DS- pull out the tether and see what he says then.

At least, that's what I'd do.

 

[damo]

I think the harness is a great way to go. It makes sure that your child is close to you and it doesn't mean that they have to hold their arm up for extended periods of time while they are holding the hand of an adult....so uncomfortable!!!

 

[Fluff724]

Here's my take on a father reluctant to use a tether:

1. Buy the backpack tether. Show it to him and make sure you emphasize the term tether, not leash. If he goes for it fine. If he doesn't like it, bring it with you anyway. Stow it away in your park bag.

2. When you get to the first park- give DH custody of DS and the stroller. Let him handle the issues of DS wanting out of said stroller. Let him take DS by the hand in the crowds and/or carry him.

3. When DH starts complaining about how hard it is to keep DS from breaking away and/or wants you to carry DS- pull out the tether and see what he says then.

At least, that's what I'd do.

I love this idea!!!

They actually have some really cute Disney character harnesses now - I have seen Pluto and Minnie. IMO they are great for "runners". My DS2 is so good about walking with me and holding hands, but DS1 was terrible about running off. The harness was perfect for him at WDW.

 

[WsPrincess]

We have the backpack harness and we have been grateful for it several times. Pack it and let your DH keep track of your DS until he gets frustrated then pull it out. It is about safety for your kid and if a stroller won't work you do need something otherwise everyone is miserable

 

[Suellen]

Lots of practice with consistency now with consequences. No matter where you go he has to stay right with you, or you leave immediately, Going for a walk to the park, he runs you go home immediately and he has a time out. Going for ice cream, he doesn't stay, no ice cream and you go home. grocery store, with you or into the cart or home. Every single time, no exceptions.


I'm with your DH, hate them.

Ditto.... I also question the safety to the child and those around you. If child is "tethered" to you and darts off in front of someone they could trip over the "tether" and get hurt.

Especially in such large crowds. Kids hating it or not... if they "took off" they would be confined to stroller. If they held hands and stayed with they could walk.

I also wore my dd in a hotsling until she was a bit over two. Not all the time.. but it was handy to have at Disney and not bulky.

 

[mjp12831]

Watch Modern Family Episode of DL trip this year.

***** spoiler alert ******************


This was an issue, and they ended up buying the kid uncomfortable princess shoes to slow her down.

Must see for Disney lovers

 

[jm106]

Practice getting used to stroller, praise for sitting good in it at home, local stores and keep encouraging and reminding that in WDW he has to be in stroller. "Wow, you sat so good in stroller, Mickey is going to be excited to see you sitting nicely."
At Disney they are so consumed with looking that it might not be as bad. My kids dont have an option, stroller is a must- too tired, walking all day carrying toddler isnt good for anyone, a harness would be very hard in a crowd.

 

[photo_chick]

Lots of practice with consistency now with consequences. No matter where you go he has to stay right with you, or you leave immediately, Going for a walk to the park, he runs you go home immediately and he has a time out. Going for ice cream, he doesn't stay, no ice cream and you go home. grocery store, with you or into the cart or home. Every single time, no exceptions.


I'm with your DH, hate them.

This is what we did with DS. He not only started walking at 8 months, but also has ADHD and Aspergers so he was running off and totally ignoring us. We stopped using the stroller by the time he was a year old because he wanted nothing to do with it and I figured if he could run I didn't need to push him. At 18 months old he was out of control and we had to do something. It took a lot of patience but a few weeks after being very firm when we were out he wasn't running anymore. We also had to keep a hand on him at all times. Now at 9 he's so used to having my hand on his shoulder or holding my hand that he does it out of habit.

I did try a leash once. A helpful relative gave it to me. It totally didn't work. Just like you have to teach a dog who tries to run from you how to walk on the leash, you have to teach a child who is having problems staying with you the same thing. Otherwise the little minion wraps it around you and knocks you on your butt.

 

[linzbear]

We practiced holding hands, and I also got SafetyTats for him so that if he did run off he wouldn't be lost for too long. I also have an Ergo which I would carry him on my back in (there are other brands better for toddlers though - BabyHawk OhSnap! and Boba 3G) if we didn't have the stroller. It was like a piggyback ride he couldn't get out of without using your hands and being strangled.

I'm not against rope like things to keep track of kids, I just didn't want to cause anyone to trip over him. He already runs into people without looking all on his own!

 

[hollygolitely93]

I would get the backpack and practice with it and see if DH can get comfortable. they really are much more acceptable than the old school wrist leashes...and while hand holding could be an option...if he is a true runner at his age all you have to do is let go of both his hands to grab a tray of food, or put your sunglasses on and he is gone...so why risk it?

Now, my littlest was a runner and I was able with persistance to train as a toddler to hold my hand. It took a lot of reinforcement...praise while holding my hand "Mommy loves to hold your hand; Great safety!!! Good hand holding!" and zero tolerance for resistance...one ms. independent refused the hand in public it equaled an immediate pick up and time in... which is worse than hand holding in their eyes.

Also, my DH is a bit of a paranoid type, I realize this. For our first trip he was scared our then three-year old would run off or something so he got this device...link below that had a GPS in it and warnin system. It worked very well (until I washed it by accident...thought it was never needed...of course...thank God.)

http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/category/gps+tracking/gps+tracking+devices+for+children.do

 

[I Love Pluto]

I would agree with any backpack or leash system to keep a child safe. It's better to have your child WITH you on a leash/rope/etc - than to have his/her picture on a milk carton as a missing child. No one needs harm to come to their child.

My son was a runner. He ran everywhere, while I tried to keep track of him & his year younger sister. It was hard. If a leash can help - do yourself a favor and USE it!

 

[kaligal]

Stroller. Pick him up. Hold his hand. Follow him.

The biggest problem with the leash is that in a crowd, you could trip someone else...especially when it is crowded. The other problem is that the ones made with backpacks or animals on the kid's back can make the kid hotter.

You'll make it through the toddler stage. Enjoy it. One day, you will wish it was that easy.

 

[bumbershoot]

Much safer, in my opinion, than the ones that tether to their wrist - I worry it will 'dis-joint' them.

Absolutely better. Also better than holding hands all day.

Lots of practice with consistency now with consequences. No matter where you go he has to stay right with you, or you leave immediately, Going for a walk to the park, he runs you go home immediately and he has a time out. Going for ice cream, he doesn't stay, no ice cream and you go home. grocery store, with you or into the cart or home. Every single time, no exceptions.


I'm with your DH, hate them.

Tomorrow, the moment you go out there door, put your arm in the air. And hold it there. All day.

Have fun with that.

Better, have someone much taller jerk on it every so often. Get distracted, walk one way, have the someone jerk it the other way. Enjoy the awesome feeling of shoulder separating.


The next day, put a soft harness around you and have the "someone much taller" show you the way to walk with that. A bit different than the arm up in the air.

It's because they love their astronauts and don't want to see them drift away...

I adore you and this way of putting it.



I've never understood the prejudice against dogs that shows up in the toddler "leash" hatred posts. Just like NASA, we love our dogs and children, and want them to not run away, be stolen, or run into traffic and be smashed. That's why we use leashes/harnesses/leads/tethers.


Now, all that said and despite the fact that my mom used harnesses for me and my brother and I totally expected to do the same with DS, for DS, it didn't work. He behaved horribly with it, despite quite a lot of attempts. The last straw was when we were in a big empty space so I was letting him roam with no danger to others, and he got to a 45 degree angle (as compared to the floor), and I had to try to figure out how to get him out of that without hurting him or embarrassing myself anymore than the situation already was. We were at an airport with a hard marble floor, so letting him fall and take the consequences was absolutely OUT of the question. (carpet would have been a different story)


So for us at Disney(land, because we hadn't ventured to World yet) and Seaworld, it was walking with us, the rented stroller (didn't even own one at home then), or the Ergo. And the Ergo was awesome! He could see just as much as I could, being up on my back, he could interact with people, and when he was given a cold water bottle, some of it would spill down my back and cool me off! Best of all worlds.