Harnesses for Kids

[ShannonMB]

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.

I have to admit I have a little laugh when I see them, too. I saw a kid in one at our state fair last week, and it just made me laugh. Not a bad, mean laugh, just a little chuckle to myself. I think they remind me of the SNL skit with Mike Myers (tethered to a jungle gym ).

That said, I only have one, she's big now, and she never was a darter. So what the heck do I know? Parenting is THE hardest thing anyone will ever do (IMO), and we are lucky there are all sorts of tools out there these days for all of us to do what we think is best for our kids. So if you see me giggling, just ignore me!!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

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!

This is a great post. We had the exact same experience with our two kids, the younger will just wander off, the older, at 11, is still very cautious.

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.

There is: http://www.specialtyalarms.com/site/1313932/product/30-2100 I don't think these would work so well with kids who bolt, though. The alarm would be going off every 30 seconds!

We used this harness with our younger dd when she was 1 to about 2.5, in crowded places where strollers are too confining, like Disney or the zoo, or even the mall occasionally. dd was a little Houdini. She could wiggle out of a 5-pt stroller harness in nothing flat! I'm relatively short, and still, holding the hand of a 1-2yo, her arm stretched straight up above her head, I still had to bend a little to the side. My back and neck would start to hurt if I walked around holding her hand for more than a few minutes. The harness made it much more comfortable for both of us.

I never got a bad comment from another adult, but got supportive comments. Occasionally a child would ask their parent (or me) "why is she on a leash?", and I would say she likes to run away from me, so this keeps her safe, but is more comfortable for both of us than holding her hand all the time. The kids usually thought it was a good idea after that explanation.

I do agree with others who said not to leave a lot of slack in the tether, because they can get tangled up in a crowded area.

For the people who think it's like a leash on a dog, what's wrong with that? Why do we keep our dogs on leashes? So they don't run off and get lost, run in the street and get hit by a car, etc. They are for their protection, because we love them. We love our kids, too, why not protect them the same way when they are too young to control their impulses?

 

[catfish308]

What happened to the straps that attached to the kids wrist? That's what was used on me when I was taken to Disney. I was a runner

I don't have any kids so I really cant comment. But I do not think anything bad about them.

 

[lovinwdw]

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!!

LMFAO! I will keep my monkey harness for the teenage years for sure!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I was also one of those people who said they would never use a "leash" on their children, that was until my little niece came along. The previous poster is right, all children are different and never say never. lol

We used the monkey with my 2 year old neice, she was a darter who did not like to ride in the stroller.

It worked really well; she had some freedom and we felt she was safe. She knew if she wanted to get out of the stroller she needed her monkey. It was hot at times, so we did take monkey breaks.

I do recommend trying it out before your trip, to see if it will work with your child.

Good luck!

 

[LaurieN]

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.

My feelings exactly!

That being said; to each his own! If it makes you comfortable go ahead and use it and don't worry about what other think!!

On our last trip DS wanted nothing to do with his stroller (unless we let him push it like that was going to happen). Did he run at times? sure he did. Did we let him get far or out of sight? NO,he never got more than a few feet from us. Did we let him run wild all over the place: NO. I have to say the parks were not crazy busy at the time either, so it wasn't too much of an issue.

Like I said; do what is going to make YOU comfortable and keep YOUR mind at ease!

Laurie

 

[GrillMouster]

I had to get one of those monkey harnesses for my wife. She kept disappearing into every store we walked past. I initially tried the one that velcros onto her wrist, but she quickly figured out how to remove it and took off running through the mall. Forty-five minute later I found her at the shoe store.

 

[LaurieN]

I had to get one of those monkey harnesses for my wife. She kept disappearing into every store we walked past. I initially tried the one that velcros onto her wrist, but she quickly figured out how to remove it and took off running through the mall. Forty-five minute later I found her at the shoe store.

That's great; made me laugh HARD!! thanks

 

[lustergirl]

here we go........

Would you like something to drink with that popcorn???

 

[rie'smom]

Never used a harness and never would but that's me. If parents feel like they want to use them, it's their business.

 

[kmk1180]

For the people who think it's like a leash on a dog, what's wrong with that? Why do we keep our dogs on leashes? So they don't run off and get lost, run in the street and get hit by a car, etc. They are for their protection, because we love them. We love our kids, too, why not protect them the same way when they are too young to control their impulses?

To answer your question..your child is not a dog. They are your child.
I have more respect for my child than my dog.

Even if it means watching them closer, they needs to learn to stay close and just think a lease is a temporary restraint that teaches the child as soon as it's off it's time to bolt when given the chance.
Defeating the lesson that my children needs to learn.

As I've stated I won't use one, I think they are embarassing to the child.
and while I didn't say it before...I think it makes you look like a lazy parent.
Fair statement or not, that's the appearance your giving out to me.

Again, I'm not telling anyone not to or calling them bad parents or anything just giving my opinoin.

 

[mward73]

We have that exact harness. DS (2) LOVES it. He always asks to wear his monkey backpack. We've only used it a couple of times though. I sent it with DH when he took DS to Seattle (from DC) by himself. He had the stroller and their carry on bag. I was worried DS would take off (he can jump out of the stroller before you can grab him) and I didn't want him running off in the airport. The other time was when my stepfather (who sometimes gets so focused on something, he forgets the kid is there) took him to the museum. It was the first time he'd taken him anywhere by himself so I wanted to make sure he couldn't lose him. Other than that, we don't really use it - only at really busy places where he can get out of our grip and slip between people. He runs FAST so it's a precaution I'm willing to take.

We probably won't use it at Disney. We're going at the beginning of Nov so I don't expect it to be too crowded. There are 3 of us to keep up with him and he's much better about listening now. I say if it makes you comfortable, don't worry about what others think - use it.

 

[jess98ac]

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.

BRAVO!!!!

We have the monkey one, and used it on a trial run at a local Aquarium for our 15 month old DD. She LOVES it. She walks around the house looking for her "mo mo". While she had it on, we were also holding her hand, unless no one else was near us, then we would let her wander a bit more. She mangaged to pull away from me a couple times, but I quickly grabbed her hand again and explained to her that she needed to stay near Mommy or Daddy. However, she's a toddler, and she has the listening skills of one.

To those people who think I'm a bad or lazy parent because of it, that's fine, you can think what you want. I'll be enjoying WDW with the peace of mind knowing that my 19 quick little DD will never be more than an arms length away from me, and bad and lazy won't even enter my thoughts.

 

[SilverL]

FWIW, on our first trip to DL when I was very young, I broke my harness and ended up having to use my cousin's. My mom swears if I wasn't wearing a harness, I would've joined the parade. For hyper kids who are prone to disappear, I'd say they're practically a must.

 

[MapleGirl]

I had to get one of those monkey harnesses for my wife. She kept disappearing into every store we walked past. I initially tried the one that velcros onto her wrist, but she quickly figured out how to remove it and took off running through the mall. Forty-five minute later I found her at the shoe store.

My husband is a store wandered too! He gets distracted by all the pretty things (electronics) for sale and just wanders away. I have to hold onto his belt to keep him with me. It might be time to attach a lead rope to his belt!

 

[mariepapa]

I had a daughter who refused to stay in a stroller whenever we went anywhere. She could wiggle out of them and later learned how to unbuckle them. She even got out of carseats!This might be your lifesaver. I would try it out first though just to make sure. Kids need to be safe above all else. It does not matter what others think, your child will not look like a dog.

 

[vroomagain]

Good thing DH doesn't read these boards!

I had to get one of those monkey harnesses for my wife. She kept disappearing into every store we walked past. I initially tried the one that velcros onto her wrist, but she quickly figured out how to remove it and took off running through the mall. Forty-five minute later I found her at the shoe store.

 

[waltskids]

DS is 2 1/2 and we have never considered using a harness and we won't use one for our DD either when she gets older. It's just not an option for our family but to each his own. Even last summer when he was around 20 months in Disney, we still didn't use one. If he didn't hold our hand, he was in the stroller, period. He learned very fast that those were his only options. Now that he's older, he still holds our hand when out of his stroller. He sometimes protests, but he knows in the end that we decide, not him. We started to let him walk next to us in uncrowded places such as Target, etc., and he does great with staying with us, but walking without a hand is not an option at Disney or any other park for that matter. That being said, I don't question another parent's choice as long as they are still watching their child as well. I have seen children get caught between other families if the parent wasn't watching the child who was leashed. I also once saw a parent dragging a child to the point that the child was screaming to the parent to stop moving. But I know those are probably exceptions. To the OP, do what you are comfortable doing.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

To answer your question..your child is not a dog. They are your child.
I have more respect for my child than my dog.

Even if it means watching them closer, they needs to learn to stay close and just think a lease is a temporary restraint that teaches the child as soon as it's off it's time to bolt when given the chance.
Defeating the lesson that my children needs to learn.

As I've stated I won't use one, I think they are embarassing to the child.
and while I didn't say it before...I think it makes you look like a lazy parent.
Fair statement or not, that's the appearance your giving out to me.

Again, I'm not telling anyone not to or calling them bad parents or anything just giving my opinoin.

No, you're not calling anyone a "bad parent", just a "lazy parent".

Really, I don't care if you think I'm lazy. I know better, and obviously you have no understanding of how my dd (and others) acted at age 1 and 2 to be able to judge. I just thought it was funny that you would say that.

Who doesn't have more respect for their children than their dogs?. That's why they get nicer beds to sleep in, better food, more attention, come to church and WDW with us, etc, etc, and get nice comfy harnesses that go around their shoulders and back, rather than a collar around the neck, and don't get tied up to a lamppost outside a store like you see with doggies. The only similarity is that they are both used to protect them by keeping them near you. I'm not one to let a little similarity between a product designed for a toddler and one designed for a dog stop me from using it, any more than I'd refuse to use a baby gate in my home, just because similar gates are also marketed to pet owners.

I've never met a child who was embarassed to be wearing a harness, either. You are projecting your own feelings onto other people's children, which really doesn't make any sense. Neither does your assumption that harness-wearers are going to bolt when it's off more than hand-holders will. Both are methods of restraint.

 

[BayouMickey]

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*