Baby "leash"!?!?

[chris31997]

I just measured ours and they are 30.5 inches so 2.5 feet. Pretty small amount of space to separate a child from a parent. If an adult feels the need to cut in between the 2.5 feet between a child and a parent then perhaps they should be paying a little bit better attention. This tripping thing is really blown out of proportion. I have lost track of how many visits my DH and I have had to wdw with and without our kids but it's now over 50. Seen a lot of kids on leashes. Not once did I think I was endanger of tripping over a leash.

Not to mention one side of the leash is what 12ish inches off the the ground. If you trip over the leash, you cut between me and my kid and didn't see us. Secondly, you probably would have "tripped" over my kid anyway because you weren't looking for them.

As for using words, some toddlers march to their own drums and ignore everyone else. Some just daredevils. Some only use their ear when they feel like it

 

[Ero_FL]

We are going on our family Disney vacation in Dec and our youngest and most energetic will be only 2yrs old. Has anyone seen children on those baby harnesses in the parks. I said I would never use one but the baby always wants to walk and will for sure get lost w/o one.

I'm getting one of these. It can double as a diaper bag and will be a great place to put my 14mo old's "First Visit" pin.

 

[Ero_FL]

I never understand why people hate them so much, and think the whole "words" being superior thing is so funny. I have a substandard kid I guess, who was a headstrong little spitfire as a toddler, and I would have leashed him like a dog if I had known about them then OP, if it helps you with safety, then I say go for it and be glad they are an option! These threads always make me think of the Modern Family episode at Disneyland.

Definitely do whatever you need t do to keep your child safe. I'm not a fan of the leashes, though. Like others have mentioned, there is a tripping hazard. And honestly, when we're waking a long distance (not just ride to ride), I want my little ones in strollers. It's safer and faster. I also use the Ergo back carry position at that age.

Ever had a kid who wants to walk or will scream like they're being skinned alive? Me neither... until my 3rd.

 

[LindseyLou2222]

I'm getting one of these. It can double as a diaper bag and will be a great place to put my 14mo old's "First Visit" pin.

That's similar to the Skip Hop bag we used. My dd put her stuffed Pluto in the bag and was good to go! I think you'll like it.

 

[allysetraskos]

I used to use the lion backpack harness leash... I didn't care what people though of me, my son was a runner.
I was walking with him in a parking lot at a mall after shopping once and didn't have the harness, I had a bunch of bags and lunch... I dropped my purse and keys trying to juggle everything in my hands, I bent down to pick it up releasing his hand for just a second when he darted out into a car that was backing up. GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK. After that I didn't care if I got stares because all it takes is ONE second.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

Ordered one from Amazon. Never thought we would use one, but this one is working well for us. Baby Buddy Toddler Tether


Got it last month and we have been practicing. DS3 actually grabs it and puts his wrist in it, then holds it up so I can put my hand in. He can tighten and loosen it (he's an engineer), but I put a watch over the top and he didn't mess with it anymore. Going to put MagicBand on his wrist.

The first time he wore it, I was super concerned about comments. Sure enough, a junior high student mentioned it being a leash. And a few adults have asked who is leading who. He usually is walking in front of me. He turns and says, "Come on, Mum.." I say back, "Don't go too fast!" Now, we walk down the street, go to the laundromat, and shopping in the mall. Not having to continuously hold his hand or lock him in the stroller has been great!

I wish I would have had one for the older kids.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

We are using one this year because my 1 1/2 yr old fears nothing and will be on top of astro orbiter if we looked away! We bought a wrist strap style instead of backpack because we didn't want him getting sweaty. They sell them for Under $5 at babies r us. We also use tattoos that you can write on if child got lost (you write your phone number on them with special marker they come with). We bought off Amazon and put the tattoo right on inside of our kids arms. They stay on for a few days!

We got the tattoos also! I forgot to say we had to do the wrist one also because DS will not keep the backpack on!

No fear here. He was jumping down the stairs today!

 

[Ero_FL]

We got the tattoos also! I forgot to say we had to do the wrist one also because DS will not keep the backpack on!

No fear here. He was jumping down the stairs today!

I forgot they existed- a friend of ours uses them sometimes. I am going to get a pack to pair with the harness, because my 1yr old is a runner- and has been since she was 9 1/2mo old!

 

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

We are just back from WDW with our 2 year old and we used this:

Hold-On Handles

It really worked out quite well for us. When DS wanted to walk, he had the option of holding one of our hands or the handle, which we hooked onto the stroller. I wasn't sure if it would work, but for whatever reason he LOVED holding onto the handle! Obviously this depends on the child and may not work for everyone, but I wanted to throw it out there as another option.

We have one of these and love it! Great when hands are full, but need to keep kids close enough to be safe. Though admittedly my DS was never a runner, so he wouldn't drop it and bolt.

 

[bandksmommy]

I had a monkey harness for both of my kids when they were younger. And they both thought the backpack part was awesome. AND they both thought me holding the tail was ridiculous. They would sit their butts right down on the floor until I either let go or carried them. They preferred to walk themselves.

Seriously though, they're a good idea. Do whatever makes your child safe.

 

[minijenny]

As for using words, some toddlers march to their own drums and ignore everyone else. Some just daredevils. Some only use their ear when they feel like it

All three of these rolled into one = my son. I first bought a harness for him when he was 10 months and started walking. I've used it at zoos, malls, grocery stores, Disney, the Grand Canyon, etc. I would much rather deal with people laughing or giving me curious looks (never received hateful looks luckily) than my son accidentally falling off the edge of a cliff. One time I was at WDW with DS then 2 and he wasn't wearing his harness because he just got out of the stroller. We were waiting for the bus at MK and I was folding his stroller, when he dashed across the bus queues into the street. I dropped everything I had, screamed at the top of my lungs and ran after him. After I grabbed him, restrained myself from going into premature labor at 7.5 months, and watched a bus pull into the spot he was just standing, I put his harness on and vowed never to take it off each day until we were safe in our rooms.

DS is good a lot of things, but holding hands and not getting easily distracted are not his strong points. He's a kid, and he's my responsibility. I'll do what I need to do and try to be happy with the rest

 

[Computermama]

Never understood why people get so down on harnesses. We harness animals because they may or may not be good at listening all the time, and we want to keep them safe from running off and getting lost or hurt in dangerous or crowded situations but still allow them the freedom to explore and get some exercise. Why do our toddlers, who are also learning to listen and stay close to us less deserving of the same freedoms and safety that we give our pets? Yes you can use a stroller, but then they can't explore and get exercise. Yes we can teach them to stay nearby, but no toddler in the history of ever started walking and immediately had the maturity and understanding to stay near mommy and daddy despite all the distractions that a place like Disney provides. And while you can hold a squirmy toddler, that's no fun for anyone involved, and handholding someone who's twice your height isn't much fun for the toddler either. Until they're old enough to understand to that they have to stay near you, a harness is an obvious choice.

Maybe this is an odd first post for a newbie, but I'm getting tired IRL of the odd looks. I have a headstrong barely 2 year old, who will happily run off into traffic if she decides that's the place to be. I'm currently in an airsoft cast having broken my foot, and she can outrun me. I have no convenient place to store a stroller without carrying it through my house with a broken foot, so her monkey harness is a must. We're heading to WDW in late Jan/early feb, she won't yet be 3, so I'll be bringing my small stroller, and her harness. She loves her monkey, so I don't see a problem. One day she will be mature enough to understand to stay near mommy and that the road is a dangerous place to be, but until then, bring on the harness.

 

[lucyddr]

I 100% agree with you Computermama! I have twins who will be 20 months when we go to Disney in August. Both LOVE to walk and are very curious about their surroundings. They also happen to be good stroller-riders, thankfully. Before having children, I always said that I would NEVER leash my children. Now, I plan on buying the Skip Hop backpacks for our trip!

The truth is, I only have 2 arms. My babies don't understand "commands" yet, and I don't trust them to stop and come back to me when I call them. When we are in Orlando, my husband will have to fold the double stroller at bus stops and deal with it. That leaves me to hold on to two toddlers. I suppose I could literally hold them (all 45 pounds of them), but the harness will make my life MUCH easier and theirs much safer.

In the end, it's all about safety and being happy. My children aren't old enough to hold on to a stroller handle. And holding their hands literally extends their arms completely (we are 68" and 73" tall, while the kids are 30"). We will be using the back pack harnesses and will welcome any and all comments!

 

[kcsocalmama]

safety is #1. My son is Autistic and is an eloper...so I get it. You are a good parent. Anyone who has a problem with it, ask them "if you were in the middle of a dangerous neighborhood would you leave 1 million in cash sitting out? nope you wouldn't, and your child(Ren) is priceless...

 

[Aliceacc]

safety is #1. My son is Autistic and is an eloper...so I get it. You are a good parent. Anyone who has a problem with it, ask them "if you were in the middle of a dangerous neighborhood would you leave 1 million in cash sitting out? nope you wouldn't, and your child(Ren) is priceless...

Nope, don't even ask them. You're not going to convince them until they're the parent of a toddler who is developing a usually-healthy sense of independence.

It's not your job to spend your time and energy arguing with strangers whose opinions don't count. What counts is you doing what's necessary to keep your kids safe. Wish them a good day and keep walking.

 

[mrsap]

We are going on our family Disney vacation in Dec and our youngest and most energetic will be only 2yrs old. Has anyone seen children on those baby harnesses in the parks. I said I would never use one but the baby always wants to walk and will for sure get lost w/o one.

Oh you sound like me!!! We actually bought one as a GAG gift for our cousins baby shower!!!!! Fast forward to last year... my just turned 2yo. who won't hold anyone's hand and wouldn't sit in the stroller pretty much left me with no choice. I wasn't about to run after him everywhere! We tried without it at first and then we said it wasn't worth it. I was too worried about his safety. I didn't care what anyone thought. My son was safe. If you need it, use it! A recommendation, get one that's like a backpack so you can stuff the 'leash' away when you're going on a ride. We also use the Monkey one. My son thinks it's a toy so he's excited to put it on!!! If the rope is too long, just loop it around your hand, that's what we did. Not an issue.

 

[rachael95]

It is only recently that society has changed on the idea of people tying something to their kids. Have you ever heard the phrase "leading strings" or he's "tied to the apron strings". That is left over from mothers up until about the 1930s tying the young children by strings to their aprons. It was expected and normal.

I got the monkey backpack for my son. He didn't like it. He liked the monkey as a toy (was his choice to get the monkey and not the bear) but I think it was too hot and he didn't like something on his back. Plus, I had to take it off every time I was getting him into the stroller. I think I will get the Buddy tether a pp mentioned. Those look like something you could leave on.

 

[maxiesmom]

I just measured ours and they are 30.5 inches so 2.5 feet. Pretty small amount of space to separate a child from a parent. If an adult feels the need to cut in between the 2.5 feet between a child and a parent then perhaps they should be paying a little bit better attention. This tripping thing is really blown out of proportion. I have lost track of how many visits my DH and I have had to wdw with and without our kids but it's now over 50. Seen a lot of kids on leashes. Not once did I think I was endanger of tripping over a leash.

I've seen more than once a parent on one side of the aisle, the child on the other, with the tether stretched across it. So not every parent is as aware as they should be. Some seem to think that because their child is hooked to them they don't have to pay them any attention.

I agree parents should use them if they feel they need to. But I also agree they need to be careful not to let their child get too far away from them while wearing the tether.

 

[MsMamaBear]

Not to mention one side of the leash is what 12ish inches off the the ground. If you trip over the leash, you cut between me and my kid and didn't see us. Secondly, you probably would have "tripped" over my kid anyway because you weren't looking for them.

As for using words, some toddlers march to their own drums and ignore everyone else. Some just daredevils. Some only use their ear when they feel like it

Exactly! I use one and I had to stop several kids from tripping over it (as they ran through the zoo) as my daughter stood right next to me! It doesn't even come close to touching the ground.

I hope you find one you like. We have an owl backpack one for my 2 1/2 year old.