Harnesses for Kids

[lovinwdw]

I bought one of these for DS for our upcoming trip http://www.target.com/Eddie-Bauer-H...wse=0&index=target&rh=k:monkey harness&page=1

Can I get your feelings please? Have you used them in the past at the parks? How did they work for you and your little one?

 

[DisneyMommy1022]

I know that allot of people dislike the harnesses for kids but for our family they are a life saver! I have a 2yo DS who hates to be in a stroller all day so when he is ready to walk I put on his harness and he walks. I feel like this, no matter what is said to me I still feel that it is the right thing for our family. We know where our son is at all times and I'm not worried about him getting away from us at all. I don't have to fight with him to hold my hand or keep telling his to "stop" or to "get over here". And best of all he feels like a "big boy" because he has a little freedom.

 

[LisaInNc]

I bought one of these for DS for our upcoming trip http://www.target.com/Eddie-Bauer-H...wse=0&index=target&rh=k:monkey harness&page=1

Can I get your feelings please? Have you used them in the past at the parks? How did they work for you and your little one?

here we go........

 

[princessmom29]

I personally hate the things and so did DD the one time my mom tried to put her in one. I would try it out before the parks and see if your kids will even tolerate them before hand. My DD would much rather hold my hand or ride in the stroller than have it strapped to her when she was a toddler.

 

[serene56]

I have used the monkey in the past and have used it with my grand daughter now.
She loved it as she feels she is taking us for a walk. It us a back pack and she can put a small bottle of water in there and feel like a big girl.

It gives them their freedom without getting lose or hurt. Its too hot to hold hands and with everything going on their attentions will always be somewhere.

Be aware though the tail is kind long and people rushing somehwere could get tangled up in your child.

 

[disnywd]

My sister uses that exact same harness for her two year old when they are in really crowded places.

My nephew does not like sitting in the stroller and refuses to hold hands.

This harness, however, he thinks is fun, he has no problem wearing it, and my sister doesn't have to worry about him darting off, which could be dangerous for him or for the person whos path he gets in!

Have a happy trip!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

IMHO, the harness is SOOOOOO much better than a cranky toddler who wants to have some freedom and a stressed Mommy who is afraid that he/she will run off. Use a harness and let anyone who disagrees GET OVER IT!!

I was very lucky that I had children who would happily hold hands, but I certainly know that not every child is the same and sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I did use one once at a parade because DS wanted to walk up and down the street and dd wanted to watch the parade, so I borrowed a friends...a lifesaver. A 16 yr old girl actually walked right up to me and said " that's a child, not a dog".......Seriously!!!! Strangely, I didn't know her then, but I do now...and she has one on her child ALL THE TIME!!!

 

[triplejen]

Here's my take:

When I only had my first son I did have the attitude of, "I would never put a LEASH on my child -- how awful!" My son also happened to be a very quiet, non-impulsive kid that would never have dreamed of running off. And of course, there were two adults to handle one child, and never a fear that he wouldn't have at least one adult's undivided attention.

It is easy for people to believe that their individual experiences with their children can be extrapolated to apply to every other child in existence. ESPECIALLY when they have only one of their own, and really no room for comparison even within their own family unit.

My second son was/is the complete opposite of my first. Where #1 was more quiet and reserved at 2, #2 is more gregarious, more outgoing -- and far more impulsive.

The biggest lesson I learned is that all children are NOT THE SAME!

I also learned that saying there are things you would "never" do is really just a bit sanctimonious, and really not all that practical in real world applications.

Now in my family there is only one adult per child. And one of those children is likely to run off to see something exciting with no backwards glance. And on our trip to Disney last summer (just before the little wild child turned 2), what worked for my family was this little baby right here: http://www.target.com/Eddie-Bauer-H...frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k:harness&page=1

Now, the only thing I would "never" do is let aesthetics or a judgmental attitude prevent me from making a safe choice for my kids!

 

[vroomagain]

I love mine but we don't use it often esp. when it it is hot outside bc the harness makes it even worse.

Another thing is if your son is a darter like mine- if he gets to the end of the tail he will snap back and fall. Scary when you are on a paved lot like we were.

On the other hand my kids (2 yr old boy and 3 yr old girl) love theirs and put them on at home and walk around with them. They also slept with them and gave them kissies.

 

[disneymath]

First let me say that I have no problem with parents' using harnesses at busy places such as WDW as long as they are being used in addition to constant supervision as opposed to in place of it. (You gotta do what works for you to keep your kids safe.)

As the aunt of a very independent 26-month old nephew, I know firsthand the challenge of letting him feel grown up and free while keeping him safe. When he was with us at WDW at 14 months old, he was already walking/running quite well. We brought along a wrist tether so that if he wanted to walk, he was still connected to one of us. It was an extra precaution if you will. (It would no longer work, as he is too smart for his own good and would remove the wrist strap in a heart beat.)

All that said, my concern with the monkey (which my sister considered for that trip) is that it is a furry stuffed thing lying against your child's back and across the chest. Florida is HOT midday (all day), not ideal for lugging around a layer of fur. I would be concerned about overheating etc., but that's just me.

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

I used one at Disney with my daughter when she was not in the stroller and loved it. Without it I would be too afraid she would wander off in all the excitement.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I had my DS 8, DS 5, and DD 2 in DL on my own for a day. I used a child's leash for them. They worked great. I had piece of mind. They bothered no one and my DS 8 helped by holding DS 5.

Do what works best for you and everyone will enjoy their trip.

 

[lauris87]

Here's my take:

When I only had my first son I did have the attitude of, "I would never put a LEASH on my child -- how awful!" My son also happened to be a very quiet, non-impulsive kid that would never have dreamed of running off. And of course, there were two adults to handle one child, and never a fear that he wouldn't have at least one adult's undivided attention.

It is easy for people to believe that their individual experiences with their children can be extrapolated to apply to every other child in existence. ESPECIALLY when they have only one of their own, and really no room for comparison even within their own family unit.

My second son was/is the complete opposite of my first. Where #1 was more quiet and reserved at 2, #2 is more gregarious, more outgoing -- and far more impulsive.

The biggest lesson I learned is that all children are NOT THE SAME!

I also learned that saying there are things you would "never" do is really just a bit sanctimonious, and really not all that practical in real world applications.

Now in my family there is only one adult per child. And one of those children is likely to run off to see something exciting with no backwards glance. And on our trip to Disney last summer (just before the little wild child turned 2), what worked for my family was this little baby right here: http://www.target.com/Eddie-Bauer-H...frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k:harness&page=1

Now, the only thing I would "never" do is let aesthetics or a judgmental attitude prevent me from making a safe choice for my kids!

Very Well Said! I wish I could always get my point across like this.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

On my son first Disney trip, he just turned 2...I bought one at Target like you. I got home and showed it to my husband...he said if you are going to put my son on a lease like a dog, we are not going. What I'm a thinking? I told him I'm worried of getting separated from him since Disney is big and not sure how he will be. He said we will explain things to him. I have returned the lease or the back pack thing (saw alot of parents have them and showed them to my husband and my husband said we don't need it b/c he is holding our hands and we do keep on eye on him when he lets go). We labled his sneakers and explained to him to go to a CM when mommy or daddy gets separated from him. Each morning we introduce him to a CM and told him to one and explained to him in case. When its very crowded, he liked being in his stroller b/c he does not like getting push and then if out of stroller he holds our hands. My son has been to Disney 4x and never needed it and I'm glad I listen to my husband. Even in the evening we never had a problem. You have asked for our opinion and this is mine and my husband hates those things and things they are like a lease on a dog (I might get flame for it but that his opinion and now I agree with him...maybe I agree with him b/c we didn't need it for our trips and we taught our son to be responsible and teach him in case he gets lost.) We also had our cell phone number in his sneaker and to show the CM, Hope this helps.

 

[jjmatte]

We have used, and will continue to use harnesses for our kids in busy places. That one seems like it would be very hot for your child to wear.

 

[lovinwdw]

Thanks everyone. I have to say, I was a little nervous when posting this because I know people have strong feelings about these things. That being said, DS loves to sit in his stroller and be pushed around like he's king of the world, but he also like to explore. This just makes me feel more secure in that I know he's not going to get too far from us.

I have been thinking that the monkey may be a little hot on his back. Now I'm wondering if I should get the wrist teather.

 

[fakereadhed]

This is a hot topic, so I will get my comments in before it is closed.

I suggest a trial run.

I bought one like this when my DS was two. He was a runner and just wanted to keep him safe. I tried it out at the local library. He looked at it on his back and laid down on the floor face down and wouldn't move! After that, whenever I put it on him he did the same thing. Now that I know his personality better, I think that monkey behind him freaked him out. Kind of useless for us.

Wait, on second thought I guess it did keep him from running!

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

I'm not at all against them, but it's funny that I, in particular, saw this thread. I was attacked by a harnass during our last trip!!!! It was all very innocent as we were all strolling along the sidewalk in DHS when a little boy darted in front of DD's stroller. He was on a harnass and it got tangled up in the stroller. It was actually quite funny. I tell this story just to warn you about such "dangers". I say: If it gives you peace of mind and allows you to enjoy your trip without having to worry about losing your child, then go for it and who ever disagrees can shove it!!!

 

[lovinwdw]

On my son first Disney trip, he just turned 2...I bought one at Target like you. I got home and showed it to my husband...he said if you are going to put my son on a lease like a dog, we are not going. What I'm a thinking? I told him I'm worried of getting separated from him since Disney is big and not sure how he will be. He said we will explain things to him. I have returned the lease or the back pack thing (saw alot of parents have them and showed them to my husband and my husband said we don't need it b/c he is holding our hands and we do keep on eye on him when he lets go). We labled his sneakers and explained to him to go to a CM when mommy or daddy gets separated from him. Each morning we introduce him to a CM and told him to one and explained to him in case. When its very crowded, he liked being in his stroller b/c he does not like getting push and then if out of stroller he holds our hands. My son has been to Disney 4x and never needed it and I'm glad I listen to my husband. Even in the evening we never had a problem. You have asked for our opinion and this is mine and my husband hates those things and things they are like a lease on a dog (I might get flame for it but that his opinion and now I agree with him...maybe I agree with him b/c we didn't need it for our trips and we taught our son to be responsible and teach him in case he gets lost.) We also had our cell phone number in his sneaker and to show the CM, Hope this helps.

I like the idea of labeling his shoes and putting our cell number in his shoes, just in case! I like that I am getting thoughts and opinions on both sides of this. IDK if DS would understand about going up to a cast member if he got separated from us. He's 22 months now, I'm lucky he understands no...LOL

 

[luvdumbo]

I used to be against these as I thought they were cruel, until I went on a Disney Grand gathering with other members of my family and my 3yr old nephew was right next to me at store we were looking at monorail playsets. Iwas explaining the monorail to him when I looked to my side and he wasnt there. Thankfully he only wandered two stores down and we found him in 5 minutes, but they were a scary 5 minutes. So the one you chose looks very comfortable and nothing like the way they were 12 years ago, so go ahead and dont worry about what people think, I would rather be safe than sorry.