Harnesses for Kids

[lovinwdw]

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!

I hope not to cause any troubles with this thread, I was just curious about people's thoughts.

Your story is funny! DS has tried on the monkey and he loved it. HE thought he was a big shot! LOL

 

[lovinwdw]

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!!!

 

[vroomagain]

Well... according to a recent study 2 year old and dogs do apparently have the same intelligence level

BTW I respect your opinion and I'm not making fun of you.

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.

 

[cel_disney]

DS will be 3 in Septmeber. We have 2 monkey harnesses (one for each car) and a red harness with no stuffed animal.

We used the red harness for DSs first trip - he was 11.5 months and was not tall enough to hold hands yet just learning to walk and would NOT sit in his stroller all day! We didnt have the monkey one yet and I wanted something small since we were already lugging so much baby stuff around all day.

We used the monkey harness for our second trip when DS turned 2. It was awesome - it was september, he was never too hot. We use the harness at home in the mall and a few other places so he was familiar with it and really much prefers his freedom to walk (even while tethered) vs. being locked in the stroller.

We have not used the harness at home the past 6 months, but DS is fully prepared to use it again when we go to disney in September (he will be just turning 3 during our trip). He knows that it will help keep him safe and if he doesnt use it he has to sit in his stroller.

These things have been a life savor for us as a family - DS is happier and we are too! Its so nice not to have to worry about him darting for the clothing racks at a store in the mall or towards a crowd at disney!!

 

[MissMichelle]

I was NEVER a fan--but we are taking our 3 year old nephew on vacation to WDW next weekend and my mom got him a harness because he HATES sitting in the stroller and won't hold your hand (he falls to the floor). This will give him a little more freedom. It will take me some getting used to seeing it (ignorance on part I guess---I always criticized those who use them but I know every situation is different) but I think it'll be a life saver. And I like the posters suggestion on letting the child get used to it beforehand *or at least trying it out*, because there is nothing worse then getting to WDW, trying it and having a severe meltdown.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Like most people I hated them before I had kids. Well, when we took DD at 26 months I bought one just incase. First I got the dog one at Target, but exchanged it for a purse that goes over the shoulder and has a loop around the waist at Babies R Us. Luckily we never needed it and now I can disconnect the waist loop and she can play with it as a purse. I have to say the new ones are much cuter and less obvious than the older styles. The one time I did feel that I needed it was at World of Disney b/c all the clothing racks!

Recently I had an experience that opened my eyes. DD and I met one of her friends and her Mom at a Chuckie Cheese. The girl is the same age as my DD and Autistic. As soon as she saw the characters on stage start to play (similar to Country Bear Jamboree) she bolted and she is FAST! She only communicates through some signs and is not verbal, if she was lost she would never be able to ask for help. If I brought her to any type of amusement park or crowded place I would be terrified of losing her!

 

[disneymath]

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.

Hi again, I'm the poster who first mentioned the wrist tether. If you opt for this, definitely try it out at home. If you DS can figure out how to unvelcro it, then it probably isn't the best option. Also, if he is the type to dart off, it might not be great since he could end up getting his little wrist yanked. (It worked for us, b/c as independent as my nephew was, he was just 14 months old and wasn't a darter. He just liked to walk by himself.)

A PP mentioned a red harness, I think I have seen that one before it is basically straps (no furry animals) and might be a better option if the wrist tether won't work out.

 

[JPN4265]

The main problem I have with is, its like walking a dog in a crowded area, you let him out to the end of the rope, and he gets tangled up with everyone around you. Then when your kid falls down and gets hurt, or someone else falls down, you get mad and blame them because you let your kid get away from you for just a moment. Its just not safe.

 

[lovinwdw]

Hi again, I'm the poster who first mentioned the wrist tether. If you opt for this, definitely try it out at home. If you DS can figure out how to unvelcro it, then it probably isn't the best option. Also, if he is the type to dart off, it might not be great since he could end up getting his little wrist yanked. (It worked for us, b/c as independent as my nephew was, he was just 14 months old and wasn't a darter. He just liked to walk by himself.)

A PP mentioned a red harness, I think I have seen that one before it is basically straps (no furry animals) and might be a better option if the wrist tether won't work out.

Thankfully DS is not a darter...but he's never been to WDW, so I don't know how he'll react to all the stimulation. I will have to do some research on this red harness...I haven't seen any without the animal attached yet.

Thank you again!

 

[kmk1180]

I personally don't use them for my children.. fortunate enough they behave most of the time and stay close.
And really don't like them. Sorry but I think it's embarrassing to the kids.

But I can see some parents wanting to use them. If it makes you feel better use it.
Only thing I would say try to be considerate to everyone else also so they don't have to play Limbo or jump rope trying not to get tangled in your child.
And maybe try it without it sometimes to see, maybe your child will be better than you think so you won't need it anynow.


On a side simular note: I always thought there should be a simular item but wireless.
Like a parent has a watch on and the child has a signal linked watch
If the child starts to get too far away, the parent's watch starts to beep.
the farther the child gets the faster the beeping.

 

[swisely]

Before I had a child, I thought they looked awful, like a dog on a leash. Let's just say there is a lot of crow I have eaten over the years for several things I said pre-parenthood. I have used a leash for my son at our state fair when he was about 3 or 4. I had a lady stop me and tell me to "let him go, he wants to be free"--WHATEVER! You know your child better than anyone, and if you feel more comfortorable with a leash, by all means do it. It is better than having him dissappear. We just returned a few days ago from DW. Before we left, we talked to my 8-year-old about how crowded it would be and that he needed to stay close to us, etc. Now, this is a boy who thinks he is too big to hold my hand anymore (sniff sniff). Again, before we set foot in a park, we reminded him of the crowds and told him to find a cast member if he got lost, blah, blah. WELL, would you believe I have never had the pleasure of holding my son's hand as much as on this trip? I NEVER had to ask him to, he just automatically grabbed for my hand. Not that I would have put a leash on an 8-year-old, but I am saying you have to do what is age appropriate for your child. We also put an information card in his backpack with our cell phone numbers, etc. in case he got lost. Apparently our multiple converstions on the topic got his attention! Good luck and have fun--don't worry about what others think. I'm thinking the majority of people at DW have children and will understand.

 

[mjkacmom]

I used them with my twins, and they worked great, but I think you might want to buy one that is more lighweight.

 

[JoshChristineplus3]

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.

While I can agree with you and your DH to a certain extent...I do not like the harnesses personally however, until you have more than one small child, assuming that they are being treated like dogs is pretty um...uneducated from a outnumbered standpoint For those of us with more than one small child and even more so those of us with multiples, harnesses, wrist straps etc become necessary for the safety of children. I can dream that my husband is always with me, but him being in the Army that is not the case for years at a time and with 3 kids until recently under the age of 5, two of them currently just coming up on their 3 birthdays...running off and me having 2 hands and there being 3 of them...somethings gotta give. I don't like the harnesses but its saving my kids lives as well as my sanity. I can't not go to zoos, amusement parks, beaches, parades for 12-15 months while my DH is gone...thats not fair to them so I do whats necessary to allow them to enjoy life. Our twins hate their stroller and can get out of it so its useless in large places. I could turn around to check on the 6 year old and they'd be half way down the road.
I just hope next time you see a small child on a harness you remember that not every parent has the luxury of one child with 2 parents holding hands at all times is all. Life simply doesn't afford that luxury to all of us.

 

[Hannathy]

IMO I hate them with a passion! I have never liked them, have never used them and will never use them. I especially hate them on any child over young toddlers (under 2) I especially hate when people who use them just so they don't have to deal with their child and let them be at the end of the leash, and that is exactly what they are, and tangle with other people or make a hazard.

 

[Plumeria]

I don't have kids, but I don't see a problem with a child on a harness. It seems like a good idea, especially for crowded areas. I am amazed that strangers will walk up to people using the harnesses and comment on it. It's none of their business! Sheesh!

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

I value my childs safety above anyone elses opinion, have seen how quickly a toddler can get away and a lot of near misses. Children move very fast and are small so easily get lost from view.

 

[dancin'girl]

I bought a Mickey harness from Toys R'Us on-line and tried it out before our trip. DS seemed to be fine with it, so we brought it along. While we were in Disney, though, he wanted nothing to do with it and wouldn't wear it. I ended up carrying it around for half the trip (a pain in the neck!) and finally gave up and left it back in the room. DS was almost 2 and I told him he had to hold hands or wear Mickey. He seemed to understand this because his hand shot right up and we didn't have any problems. I ended up returning it when we got back.

 

[MapleGirl]

We don't have kids, but DH and I love the leashes. We think they're funny and always like to point out the "Kid on a leash" to each other.

PS. I wouldn't have a problem if you used an actual dog leash (maybe not a collar though....) Seems like responsible parenting to keep your child near you.

 

[chuckml]

We have taken DD6 to WDW 4 times, with #5 coming up in December. We never had to use one on her, but I see no problem with it at all. In fact, when she hits the teenage years, I plan to buy one and have her tethered to me at all times!!

 

[SaraJayne]

Leashes on children are ridiculous. When our two were younger, they could either hold our hand, or if they didn't want to do that, they sat in the stroller.

Leashes are a safety hazard for those around you.