Alternative to baby "leash"

[larryz]

The alternative to a "baby leash" is a "responsible parent".

Perhaps it's a "responsible parent" who knows their child's tendency to take off and doesn't want to chance them running into a dangerous situation...

It only takes a split second, and the most responsible parent in the world can't react fast enough to stop the consequences.

And then, they truly ARE the responsible parent -- as listed in the police report.

Those "leashes" ae just wrong. Why don't you just bring some bowls to the park and make them eat and dring out of those. Teach your kids to stay with you and you won't need a leash. My 3 year old and 6 year old stay with us the whole time. The 3 year old is either in the stroller, holding our hands or holding the stroller and my 6 yo walks by herself or holds our hands.

Thanks so much for sharing your opinions.

 

[Suellen]

You had it too long. The rein on a safety harness should just be long enough to barely touch the ground at the child's feet, which is normally going to be no more than about 30 inches.

So you think 2.5 feet of rope is not enough to trip someone with jr. sprints for it?

Wrong.

 

[jm106]

You can also trip someone scrambling to reach for and chase a running child. See it all the time in the mall, parking lot or other busy places, toddler takes off, mom sees him once he is a few feet away and reaches and runs in attempt to grab the kid before they run into something or get pretty far. Ahh, toddlers, are fun
True, Kids need to learn to stay with parents but at 2, they are still learning it and cant be 110% sure its going to happen every time.

I still prefer kids going both in stroller (and/or hand holding) in a big crowded place when they are little. I tell my kids, I make the rules and many are not up for debate. JMO and it works for me well. This is my third wdw trip and we had to practice stroller last yr when Yds was 2 because we got out of habbit
I will say however, I never had a runner, never let them have the chance to race off in a crowd. I do let them let go and walk, but as soon as they dont listen, its hold hand or stroller.

 

[delmar411]

The alternative to a "baby leash" is a "responsible parent".

Incorrect!

We've used the harnesses with great success. When you have more toddlers than parents and some of those toddlers are runners, you figure out very quickly that strangers opinions of your parenting are absolutely the least important things in the world.

We've used a toddler harness at WDW and my toddler never tripped anyone, or fell on his behind or took any issue with it. We used the safety 1st version, no backpack (it's too hot for a backback) and it stayed on all day. We just took the tether portion on and off as needed.

Managed to not lose my toddler, not have anyone bothered by him running around, got him up and moving instead of him being some sack of potatoes that we had to lug around and he got to enjoy the parks like everyone else instead of being banished to a stroller for my personal convenience.

A stroller is the same thing as a harness BTW (parental convenience item) so if you want to compare it to dogs, it's the same as crating your dog when they are being a nuisance.

I love my kids so I don't crate them like an animal.

 

[Nutz4Dizney]

My son was 18 months his first trip to Disney. He started walking at 9 months so he was quite fast at 18 months. I bought the harness thing just for Disney; never used anything like it before. When we entered MK he had it on; by the time we walked pass Town Hall is was off. I HATED the look, the feel & everything about that thing; for some reason I did not like it.

He walked some holding my hand, we played in baby areas with him, but most of the time he stayed in the carriage. Disney is so big and plenty to see that he didn't mind staying in the carriage. We also carried toys so he had something to play with. We had baby clip rings to tether them to the carriage so they didn't fall on the ground.

I'm totally against the waist ones. I noticed as a child looses his/her footing mommy or daddy have a reaction to pulling up. Now you have a kid with a busted face because he/she was not able to use both hands as protection.


P.S. I'm not saying the harness is a bad thing, it's just the way I felt. This was back in 2002 so the harnesses were not as popular, maybe I just didn't like the stares.

 

[GillianP1301]

I have no opinion one way the or the other about tethers/leashes for young kids. To each their own really.

My son is now 4 and we did attempt to use one of the backpack type leashes when he was about 18 months. It never really worked that well for us, more hassle then it was worth and we very quickly realized he was never wandering from our side anyway. I really can't see a huge benefit to it, especially in a very crowded situation where I think you'll spend more time getting untangled than anything else.

For us, we've just encouraged him to stay close by and he usually does. I also find that good communication between myself and my DH helps a lot. We always try to make sure that one of us has our eyes on him at all times and we always tell the other when we're taking our eyes off (i.e. stopping to get a snack, going to a different section of a store, etc...). Walking behind him helps as well. And if we are in a situation where we need him to go to a specific place and not just wander, then we hold his hand.

For the OP, I really just think you need to do whatever is best for you and your child and if your DH is very much against the leash, then I agree with PPs who say make it clear that he will be responsible for keeping track of the child and have your harness/tether with you for if/when he changes his tune.

 

[deegack]

http://greaterthanonekids.com/hold-on-handles

I use these. You can attach them to the stroller or hold it in your hand. Gives the kids a sense of independence and keeps them close.

 

[doggydoc]

It's getting to where you can't read a single thread on this board without people spewing their opinions on others behavior despite having no knowledge of the other parties situation.
The OP simply asked for some advice and this has, as usual, turned into an indictment of other peoples parenting methods.
I am a little bit sensitive on this topic. When my daughter was a toddler my wife took her on a visit to some of her family. I absolutely could not get away so she was forced to manage a toddler, carry-on luggage and a car seat through 2 busy airports by herself. We purchased one these hated backpack harnesses to allow her to control DD while distracted and trying to manage everything. While at the gate she was berated to the point of tears by some know-it all busybody whose business the situation was surely not.
For those of you who dislike the harnesses, fine that's your opinion. Spouting your opinion about them and disparaging the parenting skills of strangers here is fairly harmless, it does nothing more than reveal your ignorance. However, I promise you if you try denigrate some poor young couple at the parks in my presence you can count on an earful from me

 

[delmar411]

http://greaterthanonekids.com/hold-on-handles

I use these. You can attach them to the stroller or hold it in your hand. Gives the kids a sense of independence and keeps them close.

Those are awesome!!

I wish they had them when the kids were younger. I used to have them hold my shirt or purse when crossing streets or parking lots but often that led to arguments about who was holding where and I felt like I was being pulled to the ground more often than not! LOL

 

[photo_chick]

I wish they had them when the kids were younger. I used to have them hold my shirt or purse when crossing streets or parking lots but often that led to arguments about who was holding where and I felt like I was being pulled to the ground more often than not! LOL

Mine used to argue over who got to hold which hand. I'm lucky that there's only 2 of them and one is left handed and one is right handed. That was my solution. Lefty on left, righty on right. They're older now and still walk on "their" side of me.

 

[staceyatdisney]

It's getting to where you can't read a single thread on this board without people spewing their opinions on others behavior despite having no knowledge of the other parties situation.
The OP simply asked for some advice and this has, as usual, turned into an indictment of other peoples parenting methods.

I could not agree more. It's amazing how people enjoy belittling others from their high horse - actually disgusting may be a better way to put it.

Fortunately the decent folks provided some great advice for the OP.

 

[ZoeisMommy]

It's getting to where you can't read a single thread on this board without people spewing their opinions on others behavior despite having no knowledge of the other parties situation.
The OP simply asked for some advice and this has, as usual, turned into an indictment of other peoples parenting methods.
I am a little bit sensitive on this topic. When my daughter was a toddler my wife took her on a visit to some of her family. I absolutely could not get away so she was forced to manage a toddler, carry-on luggage and a car seat through 2 busy airports by herself. We purchased one these hated backpack harnesses to allow her to control DD while distracted and trying to manage everything. While at the gate she was berated to the point of tears by some know-it all busybody whose business the situation was surely not.
For those of you who dislike the harnesses, fine that's your opinion. Spouting your opinion about them and disparaging the parenting skills of strangers here is fairly harmless, it does nothing more than reveal your ignorance. However, I promise you if you try denigrate some poor young couple at the parks in my presence you can count on an earful from me

Very well said.

 

[ttintagel]

Those hold-on handles are pretty neat!

 

[mariahasmousefever]

It's getting to where you can't read a single thread on this board without people spewing their opinions on others behavior despite having no knowledge of the other parties situation.
The OP simply asked for some advice and this has, as usual, turned into an indictment of other peoples parenting methods.
I am a little bit sensitive on this topic. When my daughter was a toddler my wife took her on a visit to some of her family. I absolutely could not get away so she was forced to manage a toddler, carry-on luggage and a car seat through 2 busy airports by herself. We purchased one these hated backpack harnesses to allow her to control DD while distracted and trying to manage everything. While at the gate she was berated to the point of tears by some know-it all busybody whose business the situation was surely not.
For those of you who dislike the harnesses, fine that's your opinion. Spouting your opinion about them and disparaging the parenting skills of strangers here is fairly harmless, it does nothing more than reveal your ignorance. However, I promise you if you try denigrate some poor young couple at the parks in my presence you can count on an earful from me

Agreed!

This is a two year old, the idea of someone saying that the original poster needs to learn how to parent her child is beyond insulting.

Just my opinion, based on my own children's behavior, but I doubt a two year old will walk all day, you have to force them to sit or they get CRANKY and tired. I think keeping to a nap schedule is a good idea too. I never used a harness but I would have my older daughter hold onto a strap on the stroller and even now, big crowds (like after fireworks) the kids have to hold a parents hand.

Again, this is just from my experience but my kids at two were getting old enough for time-outs and if the running is an issue at home (where honestly it is more dangerous, i.e. parking lots, traffic) you may want to start enforcing a strict time-out rule if he bolts.

Can't remember what she did but my then 6 year old spent time out standing in a corner by Pirates of the Carribean one year.

Like I said I never used a harness but I've never understood why it is anyone else's business how you choose to keep track of your child.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Carry him. Or hold hands. Although at two, you might want to consider a stroller, just because he'll probably get tired, and you probably won't be able to carry him everywhere. Maybe a little umbrella stroller.

 

[kangaroodle]

I used to put jingle bells on my kids' shoes. Depending on the shoe type, I unlaced the shoes, slid the jingle bells through the laces, and then re-laced the shoe. If that didn't work (depends on lace width or type of shoe), I put the jingle bells on safety pins and pinned them to the shoes, near the base of where the show laces would be. If my son or daughter started to run, I could hear them jingling and find them easily. I did this many times at WDW as we went every year. They are now 13 and 15.....no more jingle bells needed!

One year when we were at MK we saw a very scary situation with a runaway toddler. We were all lined up for the 3pm parade as it was going to start soon. A cute 2 year old started running down the street where the parade was about to start. At first everyone laughed because she was so cute. Then she darted back into the crowd but pretty far down from where she started. Her mom came frantically running after her. Luckily someone told her where her daughter was. Otherwise, with that many people lined up, it would have been difficult to find her.

 

[wishiwereindisney]

OP here - for those who gave suggestions i appreciate the replies. i should have added that we will be bringing a stroller and will force him in it when necessary but it is just not realistic that he will stay in it the whole day - this is an active little guy. i may try those handles - it can't hurt to try!

didn't mean to start a debate but i guess i should have known better.

 

[thebwit]

We have a leash for our kids. Ok it's the backpack tether, but really, we call it a leash. Here's the way I look at it.

Child has two options, either ride in the stroller, or wear the leash and have "freeish" roam to walk. Most times, my kid wants to hold my hand so that's not a big deal, but I always make sure I have that leash wrapped around my wrist.

The reason for this? Would I rather be "judged" for having my child on a leash or would I rather be "judged" for barreling through people, chasing after my little one in a crowded area only to lose one of my kids and put me into a full on panic mode for the 5 minutes it will take a CM to locate me and my child?

Personally, I'd rather have someone look at me a bit off for the leash, than them looking at me with sadness and pity but that's just me.

And if you don't think your little one can escape your grasp and get through a crowd quickly you are insane. My DS 2 was at my DD5 preschool graduation. It was a closed room, filled with teachers that knew him and all the parents. He was given permission to walk and play in front of us, but then he bolted to find his sister. He could get through the people much quicker than we could. I remember seeing my mom trying to get through the crowd of people only to have DS be about 10 feet in front of her with no struggle at all. Now I never felt like my son was in danger (closed room, people that knew him) but I can easily see how this would play out say walking around MK by Peter Pan and IASMW

 

[Laura]

http://greaterthanonekids.com/hold-on-handles

I use these. You can attach them to the stroller or hold it in your hand. Gives the kids a sense of independence and keeps them close.

I was going to suggest those, too

 

[Belleandtinker]

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

I was going to suggest the same thing. That Modern Family made me laugh and laugh.

Also, you child might stay close because of the crowds. My DS6 stays close especially in the crowds for fear of getting lost.

Good luck