Child Harnesses

[nchulka]

I have no problems with the use of a leash. I used one occasionally with DS when he was 2. My kids were 17 months apart so I had a 2 & 3 year old to watch. I used it so that DS could have more freedom, it was much nicer for him to be able to wander a few feet away and have the use of both of his arms rather than have to walk right next to me with his arm up in the air! The problem I see is that you have a 3 & 4 year old who don't seem to know their boundaries. I would nip the twisting and pulling away from you and bolting from the stroller in the bud right now. By that age they really should be able to follow directions like stay in the stroller, hold my hand, or walk near me.

 

[LisaT91403]

I guess I'm in the minority here. I have been taking DS to the parks since he was 2 years old, but would never have considered putting him on a leash. Obviously, we as parents are all concerned about our children's safety. That's our job, right? But I felt it important that my son to learn how to behave in all kinds of environments -- whether a crowded place like Disneyland, or at a fancy restaurant. Practicing, experience, and even making mistakes...these are the ways that kids learn how to behave appropriately in each environment. One issue (and there are several) that I have with the leash is that it doesn't give kids the chance to learn how to behave the right way.

I have also seen some absolutely disgusting behavior on the part of the leash-holding parents. I saw one child, about 6-7 years old, wearing a leash; the parent tugged so incredibly hard on the leash that the child literally left her feet and almost fell completely over.

Of course, people can do what they want and I'm not the one giving dirty looks just because I make different choices with my family. Live and let live (except for the ones tugging so hard that their kids are almost falling down!)

 

[BayGirl22]

I'm not against people using tethers/harnesses/leashes. Only you as a parent know what is safest for your child. I've been lucky that my 3.5 yo is fairly compliant and my 1.5 yo is still relatively easily restrained. I'm not sure its something I'd introduce to them at this point, but I never say never. Safety first.

What HAS worked really well for us is to have a strap or handle attached to the side of the stroller that the child can hold on to. A jogging wrist strap works well. My DS has a choice of 1. riding in the stroller 2. holding an adult's hand, or 3. holding on to the strap attached to the side of the stroller. Most of the time he'll choose option 3 and hold on, because he feels somewhat in control. It keeps him tethered within 2 feet of us and teaches some level of compliance/responsibility in crowds.

Not saying that's for every kid, just throwing out another idea for those who are looking for non-harness options.