Harnesses for Kids

[princessmom29]

Congradulations you're the exception to the rule.

I'm not trying to be obnoxious, it just seriously bothered me. My sister used to press her face agianst the mesh and look so pitiful that i would let her out and get yelled at. (I am 7 years older).The crib thing just scared me. I had visions of her climbing out and falling and getting hurt, so I took her out as soon as she woke up, and switched to a toddler bed pretty quickly b/c it was a lot closer to the floor if she did climb out.

 

[princessmom29]

You know your child better than anybody and need to decide what is right for them.
Personally I have never used them, but I have also never looked at a parent who has and shook my head.
Every child is different and the one thing that might work for one might not work for another. Disney World is huge and the last thing a parent wants is a wondering child so if you feel that using one of those harnesses is the best way to keep your child safe then use it.

I don't fault a parent who is using it correctly, and actively watching their child on it, but I am sure all of us have seen parents who think they are a liscence to let a kid run wild. I look at those people and shake my head, not so much b/c of the harnass but b/c of thel ack of any sort of parenting.

 

[BayouMickey]

I'm not trying to be obnoxious, it just seriously bothered me. My sister used to press her face agianst the mesh and look so pitiful that i would let her out and get yelled at. (I am 7 years older).The crib thing just scared me. I had visions of her climbing out and falling and getting hurt, so I took her out as soon as she woke up, and switched to a toddler bed pretty quickly b/c it was a lot closer to the floor if she did climb out.

I understand. But that was your personal choice. I don't sit here and condemn you as an overprotective mother because you were taking unneccesary precautions, but it's easy for someone to judge a parent wanting to keep their child safe by using any means possible including a harness?

 

[earthfaries]

Restraint -(n) A means of or device for restraining, as a harness for the body, often use as protection from injury.

Same scenario, using a harness is to protect a child from potential harm. leashes are not neccesarily a matter of avoiding the issue but as a tool to help teach a child to stay near.

Very well said .

It is protection for your child...just as a play pen is...when you have active crawlers or walkers you need a safe place to put them while doing things like using the restroom, etc.
Yes, some people abuse them but that's just them ~ they are made to HELP keep your child safe ~ same as a life vest. You wear them to HELP keep you from drowning...they don't replace supervision...you have to use these tools in a responsible way...some people do and some people don't.

It's not the tools that are bad, it's the way some people use them

 

[princessmom29]

Restraint -(n) A means of or device for restraining, as a harness for the body, often use as protection from injury.

Same scenario, using a harness is to protect a child from potential harm. leashes are not neccesarily a matter of avoiding the issue but as a tool to help teach a child to stay near.

When they are used a that way it is great, but I have seen way too many used as an excuse to let junior do what he wants and not to be bothered. I think in some situations it could be used as a great tool to teach boundaries, but that requires an active involved adult on the other end of the line. I guess that is the key here. They aren't a crutch to take the responsibility off parents for watching their children, but are to be used as a tool in the interest of teaching a child how to observe boundaries so that they can eventually be without it. It's not the way that I would choose to teach this to my child, but to each his own.

 

[Disney Princess Jenn]

Back when I had one child--one quiet, obedient and semi-shy child, I was appalled at the child harnesses. I couldn't believe that anyone would put one on their child. "Can't they just get their child to obey and stay with them", I'd think. "My son walks with me and holds my hand--why can't other people be as good a parent as I am?", I would think smugly.

Fast forward ten years and suddenly, I'm parenting a little boy who is completely different from my other two children. Where my older 2 would walk quietly, this one wanted to run. Holding hands? That's for chumps and suckers in his book! Staying with Mom or Dad? We were just holding him back. We would restrain him from darting out into traffic or from getting into someone else's car. Who did we think we were?

Finally, an ! Remember that harness that I was so vehemently opposed to? Not such a bad idea, after all. I used it proudly and kept my son from harm and/or kidnap for years. Not everything is right for everyone but please don't villify someone elses parenting decision--you might find yourself in a different mindset someday. People love to remind you of what you said back in the day--you don't want to have to eat your words, do you?

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I loved our play pen. Showers and toilet breaks without holding a baby wins hands down. My babies always liked to move around. My friend thinks they are atrocious but puts her child in a bouncy seat. Whatever. They both contain the child.

OP, keep the lead short so no one knocks your little one down. If you have a runner they save a lot of heartache.

 

[princessmom29]

I understand. But that was your personal choice. I don't sit here and condemn you as an overprotective mother because you were taking unneccesary precautions, but it's easy for someone to judge a parent wanting to keep their child safe by using any means possible including a harness?

I'm not trying to judge anyone, in fact I think that I said that. I the op asked for opinions, and I gave mine. I don't use them, but as long as people who do use them do it safely I don't have a problem with that.

 

[BayouMickey]

I'm not trying to judge anyone, in fact I think that I said that. I the op asked for opinions, and I gave mine. I don't use them, but as long as people who do use them do it safely I don't have a problem with that.

Well actually, she was looking for opinions on this particular model of harness, not people's personal opinions on harnesses in general so really you and I are really off topic...

 

[princessmom29]

Well actually, she was looking for opinions on this particular model of harness, not people's personal opinions on harnesses in general so really you and I are really off topic...

I guess I misunderstood. I though it was both about that harness, and using them or not in the parks. Sorry!!

 

[lovinwdw]

Thanks OP for the link for the monkey leash. We have been looking for something like this for our DD3 for our next trip. She is a terrible wanderer and has no fear of the danger of being away from her Mommy. We took DS to WDW several times at her age and he never wandered off. Every child is different. I will not worry about what others think of my child being leashed, as other posters have said their safety (and my peace of mind) are much more important.
Have a great vacation!

You're welcome! Enjoy your trip too!

 

[BayouMickey]

I guess I misunderstood. I though it was both about that harness, and using them or not in the parks. Sorry!!

lol I'm just as guilty no worries

 

[Hannathy]

If the children I'm reading about refuse to walk with you then I should be seeing a bunch of harnessed kids pulling like crazy on the leash, shouldn't I? Isn't that what you are saying? your child will not walk with you without running away so you need the leash to keep them by your side. See this is were I don't understand it. If the child will walk beside you on the leash why can't they walk the same way beside you without the leash? I see very few kids pulling on the leashes, most are just walking beside Mom or Dad just like the un leashed kids. If they can walk without pulling on the leash they can be taught to do the same thing without the leash.

I have a puppy who doesn't know to stay with us yet so she is on a leash and does spend most of the walk pulling on it and being corrected. believe me when she is old enough to stop pulling on the leash she will be off of it and walking with whatever family member has her, same idea as a child.

As long as you aren't abusing your child you are free to do what you want but I still am allowed to hate leashes.

 

[squirrlygirl]

Have NOT read this thread, and won't.

We're at Disney now and are using one like the monkey (except a pink poodle) DD (2 1/2) absolutely LOVES it.

BUT we do not use it like a leash. We hold her hand most of the time, and loop the "tail" around our wrist. That way she learns to hold our hand, but she can't run or get lost. We can also hold tight to her on rides much easier.

I saw a little boy on a harness this morning, with mom busy talking and not even paying attention to him. He ran at a dead tilt, hit the end and pivoted and SMACK! right on his face on the pavement

 

[UConnJack]

Restraint -(n) A means of or device for restraining, as a harness for the body, often use as protection from injury.

Same scenario, using a harness is to protect a child from potential harm. leashes are not neccesarily a matter of avoiding the issue but as a tool to help teach a child to stay near.

Yes, a crib is a type of restraint, that wasn't my point. My point was that you can't teach a baby not to fall out of a bed, but you can teach a toddler not to run off (with varying levels of difficulty, of course).

 

[princessmom29]

Have NOT read this thread, and won't.

We're at Disney now and are using one like the monkey (except a pink poodle) DD (2 1/2) absolutely LOVES it.

BUT we do not use it like a leash. We hold her hand most of the time, and loop the "tail" around our wrist. That way she learns to hold our hand, but she can't run or get lost. We can also hold tight to her on rides much easier.

I saw a little boy on a harness this morning, with mom busy talking and not even paying attention to him. He ran at a dead tilt, hit the end and pivoted and SMACK! right on his face on the pavement

Thank you for actually using the thing as intended, a backup safety measure, and that is so sad for the little boy that fell

 

[BayouMickey]

Yes, a crib is a type of restraint, that wasn't my point. My point was that you can't teach a baby not to fall out of a bed, but you can teach a toddler not to run off (with varying levels of difficulty, of course).

Actually a crib does teach a child their limits to where a bed ends. That's why you progress in stages(crib, toddler bed w/guards, w/o guards, bigger bed) . It's not only to confine the child but as a barrier for teaching..
a harness is not a teaching tool, it's a safety device that "could" be used as a tool. Would you rock climb w/o a safety harness?

 

[momtobrynncess]

I rather treat my child as a dog for a few hours than being without them forever. Judge me all you want, I'm not PC nor do I value your opinion.
Here boy *whistle whistle*

Well said!!!

 

[StuckInKS]

I think they are fine, but choose one that is right for the season. We went in May and it would have been too hot for anything more than just a strap. We haven't used these yet, but may on our next trip. We have 4 younger ones and a double stroller. That worked fine last time, but I doubt our youngest (who will be 22 months on our next trip) will stay in a stroller all day next time. He already tries to get out constantly when we are at the store, and that is only for an hour or so. With more little kids than adults, I am not taking my chances just because someone else may have a negative opinion of it.

 

[UConnJack]

I saw a little boy on a harness this morning, with mom busy talking and not even paying attention to him. He ran at a dead tilt, hit the end and pivoted and SMACK! right on his face on the pavement

And that's the biggest problem. Most of the time people are using the leash so they don't have to pay attention to the kid, which frankly is more dangerous. I have so often seen people walking down Main Street taking picture, talking on the phone, yapping withe their spouse, etc. while the tethered kid is wandering every direction he can within three feet. Leashes aren't a replacement for watching their kid, and in my experience, that is what most use it for (whether that is their initial intention or not).

I wouldn't go so far as saying I think it is lazy, but I do think parents take the easy way out by using a leash.