Child Leashes?

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Okay, we have all seen people with their children on leashes in WDW as well as other public places. Maybe you put your kids on a leash well where do you buy them? Also what are your thoughts about harnessing up your childern?

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I used to hate seeing children on a leash! I couldn't imagine ever doing that to a child of mine. My first son was very well behaved, and something like that was not necessary.

However... My second son is two years old, and a little Houdini. He runs at the first opportunity, so I am actually a little worried about our upcoming trip.

I would consider a harness type thing, but have looked and couldn't find one anywhere. A friend has one that her MIL got at Walmart in another state. It's a cute plush bear 'backpack' with a long 'tail'. Let me know if you know where to get one!

 

[ceiligh1]

My son started to walk at 9 mo. he is now just a year old. He hates being in his stroller, having his hand held (both resulting in crying fits) and loves to walk, so I put a harness on him. Not only does it save him from some falls as I can lift him up a bit, but it allows him to explore in a safe range. We have just started to use this so he is not quite used to it yet. I feel it keeps him safe.
I bought ours online at target.com http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...146867-4144646?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B000EBITU8
It is a backpack type dog with a tail and they also have one that is like a bear.

It has worked well for us so far. I have yet to deal with dirty looks from others so I cant talk to that although I have seen a posts that say some people have.

 

[Debbiebee68]

I got my DS (who just does not want to hold hands after a while when it is hot) a cute Elmo one. It has an adjustable end that goes on your child's wrist and a loop on the other end for you to wear like a bracelet as well. Either wrist is fine. It looks like you are each wearing a red bracelet, but you are attached. The whole thing is made made out of elastic (except for the child's loop) . It is less harsh looking than the over the back harness version, but just as effective. Don't worry about what other people think- your main concern is keeping your child safe AND preserving your sanity.

PS- It is very inexpensive.

Have a magical trip!!

Deb

 

[CA Disney Fans]

I believe I have seen them locally at Walmarts and Targets. I would check online for some.

I actually never used them on my son, since was well behaved. But my aunt used them on my cousins and they worked quite well. The harnesses are a lot better than the writst ones as the kids could take those off so easily.

 

[CindyAnn]

My thoughts on child leashes are ...

Everyone should do what they feel is necessary to keep their children safe. You're the best person to determine what that is, and NOBODY else at WDW should feel that they're in a position to argue with you.

 

[all4fun]

We have used a safety harness on our ds at WDW. I got it at Target in the baby aisle with the other safety eqmt (actually in the section with the house babyproofing items) - Parents brand, I think. Walmart sells similar items. Both stores also now carry the cute backpack style ones that look like a plush puppy or monkey that rides on the childs back and the "tail" is the leash part. They run about $10 and are "Goldbug" brand (I considered buying one briefly for my ds but he is now outgrowing the need for the harness).

IMO the best "leashes" are the non-stretch kind that can be kept fairly short so your child is never more than a couple of feet away. Once I saw a little girl with a stretch cord attached to her wrist and she was lagging about 10 feet behind her parents, who apparently weren't noticing that she was walking so far behind them. It was kind of sad to see, and also a tripping hazzard for other guests that could potentially cause both the girl and anyone crossing her path to be injured. WDW is a crowded place and people aren't always watching for what is two feet or more below eye level. Just thought I'd mention it.

 

[WantToGoNow]

This is my opinion -- "better leashed than lost". Luckily my children (5 and 2 now) are not wanderers and stay close to me. We went to Disney once when my son (the 5 y/o) was a baby and were waiting at the bus stop at ASMo. The couple in front of us had two small boys - the youngest being around 2. The child kept dashing out into the roadway. If that boy hadn't been on a harness he probably would have been hit by a bus. They must have been renting strollers at the park because they didn't have one with them.

 

[jennifer293]

I got one for dd2 this past trip and she loved it. After a few hours of riding in the stroller it was a nice change to get to walk. I got the Elmo one mentioned above though she would not wear the wrist holder she liked the harness part. It was like 6-9 bucks.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Also what are your thoughts about harnessing up your childern?

I'd never use a harness.

If using a harness was the only way we could go to WDW, I would put the trip off until my child was older.

Now before all the harness users get in an uproar, understand that this is just my opinion. All I did was answer the OPs questions.

 

[crisi]

We used harnesses when our kids were 2 1/2 and 3 1/2. Bought them at Target. Didn't need to use them much - by mid week they "got" that they couldn't go far from Mom and Dad and were more comfortable in the stroller. But they were nice for the times when they were out of the stroller - especially early in the trip!

Make sure the "leash" is short enough that other guests cannot trip over it. Your child should be very close to you. It would be dangerous for someone to trip over the leash taking your child with them.

 

[Disney4Drew]

I say do what works for you and your child! I am considering the wrist harness for our trip in November. My opinions on harnesses have greatly changed since becoming a Mom myself! I now don't even give them a second glance. You never know if that child has a special need or is just the type who "forgets their listening ears" when over stimulated in public! Go with what will keep your child the safest (and saves your sanity).

 

[busymomma123]

Walmart online has the puppy backpack style harness. We were going to buy that style, but my DS 19months doesn't like things around his neck. So we opted to purchase one at Walmart that has Elmo on the front. We used it Saturday at the mall, and he seemed to do fine with it.

I used to be one that said I would never harness or leash a child, but he is my third. After about an hour in the stroller, he wants down to run like his brother6 and sister5. So I would rather keep a hold on him while he enjoys himself, than listen to his high pitched screaming to get down. I think others around us, would also appreciate him being down, rather than screaming. Just my opinion.

 

[mask_w03]

We have a harnes for our DD and will use it for Dis with no question. I have seen this type of harnes more and more though all around the place on little ones. DD will be 20months when we go and I know she won't stop when I say stop, so this will be my way of allowing her to walk on her own, but stay close to us!!
http://*******.com/fvapz
They have them as all different animals and can end up just being a back pack for the child when they get older (holds little things!). We have used it at the mall, zoo and aquarium when she didn't want to be stuck in her stroller anymore.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I would rather see you in the parks with a harness or leash on your child than to see you on TV begging for his/her return. Keep your kids close and safe.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I'd never use a harness.

If using a harness was the only way we could go to WDW, I would put the trip off until my child was older.

Now before all the harness users get in an uproar, understand that this is just my opinion. All I did was answer the OPs questions.

Thank you for an honest response Disneyjunkie, to all others please do not flame disneyjunkie, thanks.

 

[crisi]

I used to be one that said I would never harness or leash a child, but he is my third. After about an hour in the stroller, he wants down to run like his brother6 and sister5. So I would rather keep a hold on him while he enjoys himself, than listen to his high pitched screaming to get down. I think others around us, would also appreciate him being down, rather than screaming. Just my opinion.

Its funny how when you actually parent you discover yourself doing things different than you thought you would. And how you make changes to your style based on each child and the circumstances. Leashes are something I never saw myself as doing - then I had two a year apart and ended up at WDW with them at that age only because a friend was supposed to pilot the Space Shuttle that week (it got cancelled and we didn't get to see the launch) - or I probably would have waited a year as well. (How many opportunities does a person get for the VIP lounge for a shuttle launch - I had one, and missed it - and I don't think I'm likely to get another).

 

[ilovejack02]

I used to hate seeing children on a leash! I couldn't imagine ever doing that to a child of mine. My first son was very well behaved, and something like that was not necessary.

However... My second son is two years old, and a little Houdini. He runs at the first opportunity, so I am actually a little worried about our upcoming trip.

I would consider a harness type thing, but have looked and couldn't find one anywhere. A friend has one that her MIL got at Walmart in another state. It's a cute plush bear 'backpack' with a long 'tail'. Let me know if you know where to get one!

Got mine at Babies R US store. I bought it for a trip that we were staying in a cabin that was over water. The dock had an area to park boat and it was open to the water of course. My lil man couldnt go out w/o harness on because if he even got away from us for a second he could have fallen in water. Gotta do what ya gotta do to keep our babies safe. Hes 4 now and still likes to be in stroller, so it shouldnt be a problem in WDW.

 

[MeLaNie9]

We bought the Walmart Elmo harness before our trip in May for DS2, we packed it in its packaging and actually never used it. He was really good about staying in the stroller, and when he wanted to walk we let him. He always held our hands in "traffic" or in line, or stayed close by. I would have used it if need be, but we ended up returning it. Frankly, who cares what others think as long as you keeping your kid safe??? I saw an Amish family at our local zoo this past weekend with a harness and leash on their son, it was made of leather and really looked like something for a horse - I saw a few looks shot their way. But they probably made it themselves and were keeping their kid safe and with them so more power to them.

 

[MomOfDisneyBoys]

I admit, before I had kids, I used to criticize people who "put their kids on a leash like a dog" (quoting myself)
Fast forward a few years to my first DS. My mom used to joke that he never learned to walk. He went from crawling to running full speed and never stopped. The first time we took him to DL as a runner, I finally understood the value of the harness. I was exhausted by noon because he wouldn't stay in the stroller, and I was chasing him all day! (Sweaty little hands are slippery and easier for a sneaky toddler to pull away when he really wants to run )
That day I became a believer in the "you've got to do what works for you and your child" method of parenting!