Child Leashes

[roger_ramjet]

It would be quite amusing to see a child on a leash. Probably not the sort of thing one would expect to see.

 

[disney4us2002]

Do those of you who dislike leashes put your babies in cribs? By your way of thinking, isn't that like sticking them in a cage like a monkey and treating them like an animal?

And don't tell me it is for their safety- so is using a harness.

I disagree that this analogy is accurate. A more fitting analogy would be like putting your infant in a doggie crate to sleep. I'm not opposed to a leash because of safety reasons; I used a stroller for the same purposes. I just find something demeaning about tying a child to me.

 

[lulugirl]

It's in humane to "leash" a human being. DD is 6 and very energetic and DH and I have never had to put a leash on her (she hasn't been lost yet) DMIL had 5 kids and never put anyone of them on a leash (not one has been lost yet)

They are kids not animals, Oh and when my mom and I see parents with kids on leashes we bark at them

I was going to respond to this, but if I feed the troll it will keep coming back....

 

[Rex Rules]

I used to be the same way, thinking that the child leash was somehow inhumane.
After going shopping with my sister and her youngest DD several times, I have changed my mind. She is just way overly friendly, doesn't meet a stranger and wanders off at any little thing that she sees that interests her. SCARES me half to death.
It only takes two seconds for her to get away. There are just too many wackos out there who would do harm to a child to worry about the leash and how other people percieve its use.

 

[Sleepy]

I disagree that this analogy is accurate. A more fitting analogy would be like putting your infant in a doggie crate to sleep. I'm not opposed to a leash because of safety reasons; I used a stroller for the same purposes. I just find something demeaning about tying a child to me.

Since you want to give analogy of things used on humans originally created for animals, I will compare the FENCE. It was originally created for use with animals. Maybe we should not place our children in fenced yards either.

 

[dizneegirl]

When my brothers were small, we lived overseas. My parents did have a harness and leash for both of them, not so they could "use it as a way to let their kids run around while the parents do their own thing", but so that they could keep them safe.

If the oldest of the two boys had not been "leashed", he would not have made it past his 3rd or 4th birthday. He was not afraid of anything, and was quicker than lightning. Glance a different direction for a second, and that kid would be 300 feet away balancing on the ledge of an old castle window.

Neither of the boys minded them, as it meant they were allowed to walk around, and explore on their own, rather than being confined to a stroller with a limited view. They also had their hands free to touch, feel, point, etc.

If I were in a similar situation (or extremely crowded place), I'd use one in a heartbeat.

 

[cardaway]

Neither of the boys minded them, as it meant they were allowed to walk around, and explore on their own, rather than being confined to a stroller with a limited view. They also had their hands free to touch, feel, point, etc.

Hands free to touch?

Another problem with leashes. Chances are that the slack you give him with the leash isn't going to be a favor to others.

I can't imagine they will be minding your other wishes if they can't handle keeping by your side as instructed.

 

[cardaway]

Even as a daycare provider I've never had to resort to a leash (they aren't actually called leashes when they're for children, right?). I walk the kids around the neighborhood. Two toddlers in a double stroller, an infant in a backpack and the two 3 yr olds would hold onto the stroller on either side. They enjoy walking so follow the rules as they know tomorrow we won't walk if they misbehave.

Exact same thing here. They know they will be in the stroller or not going out if they don't keep hold of the groups handa or on the stroller.

 

[Deb in IA]

I'd rather see a kid on a leash than run-over and dead in the street.

 

[Castlebound]

My kids are two years apart so I do know what it is like with a toddler and a newborn. We never used a leash and I would not use one. I don't agree with them which is way I didn't use one, but I've never told someone else not to use one. Our kids learned that if they wanted to walk instead of being in the stroller they had to hold one of our hands the whole time. They both knew that rule and if they didn't want to hold hands they went back into the stroller. Yes, there were times that we had to leave places before we were ready because one of the kids did not want to hold hands or ride in the stroller, but we chalked that up to learning pains. It was a pain for us sometimes until they learned what they could and couldn't do! A leash would have NEVER worked with my DD she use to like to touch and grab everything! With me holding her hand I could keep her way from things she shouldn't touch. I hate it when I see a kid on a leash and the parent jerks the leash like the kid is a dog. Seeing kids treated like dogs when they are leashed has colored my opinion.

 

[Goobergal99]

My child is well behaved enough that she does not run away in public but regardless, I am entitled to my opinion just like you are entitled to yours. Oh and my child is one of the most adorable and well behaved kids on the planet and she has two very loving parents and a whole list of other great supportive ppl, so I would really appreciate it if you would keep your personal comments about my child to yourselves. I have not once made a reference to any of your children personally.

However, because I enjoy hearing what most ppl have to say, I will apologize for being rude and out of line as I am sure I was. And for the record we have actually never barked at any of the parents, it's just something that we both say we think of when we see the kids on harness.I apologize and wave my white flag now

I am very sorry

 

[Username]

The biggest problem I see here is people who've never been around a child who it might have been a good idea to have a restraint or tether, see it as a bad thing. I'm sure anyone who's found a need for such a device would be delighted to let you walk in their shoes...

Not evreyone who uses them is careless or demeaning..it also doesn't mean everyone who's used one doen't have a morbid sense of humor...

Not your thing. Cool. Let it go. Those that use them aren't the pondscum of hell.

Why is this thread so long?

 

[golfgal]

My kids are two years apart so I do know what it is like with a toddler and a newborn. We never used a leash and I would not use one. I don't agree with them which is way I didn't use one, but I've never told someone else not to use one. Our kids learned that if they wanted to walk instead of being in the stroller they had to hold one of our hands the whole time. They both knew that rule and if they didn't want to hold hands they went back into the stroller. Yes, there were times that we had to leave places before we were ready because one of the kids did not want to hold hands or ride in the stroller, but we chalked that up to learning pains. It was a pain for us sometimes until they learned what they could and couldn't do! A leash would have NEVER worked with my DD she use to like to touch and grab everything! With me holding her hand I could keep her way from things she shouldn't touch. I hate it when I see a kid on a leash and the parent jerks the leash like the kid is a dog. Seeing kids treated like dogs when they are leashed has colored my opinion.

Fine and dandy, but I don't have 3 hands. What should I have done with the third child?

 

[totalia]

My child is well behaved enough that she does not run away in public but regardless, I am entitled to my opinion just like you are entitled to yours. Oh and my child is one of the most adorable and well behaved kids on the planet and she has two very loving parents and a whole list of other great supportive ppl, so I would really appreciate it if you would keep your personal comments about my child to yourselves. I have not once made a reference to any of your children personally.

However, because I enjoy hearing what most ppl have to say, I will apologize for being rude and out of line as I am sure I was. And for the record we have actually never barked at any of the parents, it's just something that we both say we think of when we see the kids on harness.I apologize and wave my white flag now

I am very sorry

Its not us that you need to apologize to. Its all those children you've barked at.

I pity your daughter. Her mother isn't even mature enough to handle acting like an adult. The things you are teaching your daughter scare me.

Here's a little hint to help you deal with life...

Grow up.

 

[Castlebound]

Fine and dandy, but I don't have 3 hands. What should I have done with the third child?

Since you asked. Whenever I had my cousin's daughter, who is the same age as my DD, I would always have to girls hold my hands and my DS would hold one of the girls hands. He knew not to let go because that is what we taught him. If they didn't want to hold hands then we got out the stoller and someone was riding in it.

Like I said I don't care if other people use them. Both of my grandmas had several children all very close together and they never used a leash. I was taught that if you wanted to walk you had to hold hands and that is what my kids have been taught.

 

[disneymom3]

Its not us that you need to apologize to. Its all those children you've barked at.

I pity your daughter. Her mother isn't even mature enough to handle acting like an adult. The things you are teaching your daughter scare me.

Here's a little hint to help you deal with life...

Grow up.

Geez. She apologized already. Isn't this a little harsh?

 

[kidshop]

I understand why people use leashes, especially with my wild ds2. I would never use one, though. I don't like the idea. They go in the stroller or hold hands, end of story. Oh, and my first 2 are 3 1/2 years apart, and if I have a 3rd the spread will be 4+ years. That's how *I* solve that particular problem!

 

[DisneyBug1995]

I never agreed with harnesses either. I swore I would never use one. That was until my son was born. He was much more active and determined than my daughter. We like to go for walks as a family. When my son was about 1 1/2 we had no choice but to get one for him if we still wanted to walk as a family. He would run out into traffic because he didn't want to stop when we told him. He could unbuckle the stroller and climb out, and he fell out once and hit his head on the sidewalk. We forced him to hold our hand but he hated it because he was just too independent. After we put him in a harness he was much happier. He didn't have to hold our hand or be confined to a stroller. He felt like he had his freedom and we knew he was save.

 

[Goobergal99]

Its not us that you need to apologize to. Its all those children you've barked at.

I pity your daughter. Her mother isn't even mature enough to handle acting like an adult. The things you are teaching your daughter scare me.

Here's a little hint to help you deal with life...

Grow up.

What a wicked statement, but overall I don't care I am obviously a very competent parent as my daughter has never been hurt or harmed as a result of my parenting and I've never had to put a harness on her either.

Obviously you didn't read my apology or you would have seen the part about me saying "I NEVER ACTUALLY BARKED AT ANY KIDS"

Oh and "handle acting like an adult" what do you call that statement? a mature one? I think not. If you were so comfortable with the idea of harnassing your child then you wouldn't be so defensive of it.

 

[totalia]

Thanks for proving my point.

You shouldn't have a kid.