Harnesses for Kids

[VeroBeachGirl]

We just used one for our 18 month old daughter 1st trip to NYC. It allowed her to get out of the stroller, but still remain close to us. Next time we go to Disney, we'll bring it with us. People can make snide remarks or say what they want, if something happens to our daughter it'll be us dealing with the sad consequences.

 

[lovinwdw]

OP, just wanted to add that your DS is totally adorable. Do what you gotta do to keep that little guy safe!

Thank you!

 

[Alchia]

We have a monkey harness for our son (25 months). It is a must have for us!

We never needed one for or 4 year old daughter. She could speak very well and understood everything we said by the time she was my son's age. She is also much more laid back and likes to stay with us.

My son is a whole nother story! He doesn't stay still long enough to even register that you are speaking to him. Go, go, go! He is VERY busy. I would never be able to go anywhere alone with the my two kids if I didn't have the harness. I hold his hand, but the harness is there as a backup for when he darts off.

If anyone wants to criticize me for it then they are welcome to babysit my son for a day. I'm betting they'll be much more understanding after that experience

My dad calls him Hurricane Hay for a reason. I love the boy, but he is a handful. We leave for the kids' first trip to Disney next month. The monkey will be coming with us!!

 

[libell25]

I have 3 daughters 2, 4 and 6.

With my first two I said that I would never use a harness ("leash") and never had to. They were well behaved, listened well and enjoyed their strollers.

My third however, has a mind of her own, is very independant, hates the stroller and will not hold hands.

I have now bought the monkey harness and she enjoys it for a little while and then gets frustrated. It does however, keep her close to me. I agree with an earlier post about her getting to the end of the lease and getting pulled back. You really have to be careful and when walking make sure they are in front or close behind or they can get pulled forward and fall and/or dragged.

If I can I put it on he and still try to hold her hand. It gives a comfort level as you know they can't get far but you still have to be watchful that they don't get hurt.

 

[dbriggsq]

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.

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.

Two points I would like to make - firstly there is a time and a place to teach your children lessons they need to learn - this being only in a very safe environment when you have time to devote to the topic - this is not at Disney, or indeed any other crowed/busy/dangerous place - you cannot afford to take even the slightest chance, especially with a young child who, even if you think they have learnt the lessen perfectly, can, in a moment of extra stimulation, forget what they have learnt and run off.

Secondly - when I was walking my 4 year old to school down a narrow footpath on a busy road with a child in a pushchair and a 2 year old on foot - how could I hold the 2 year old's hand and push the pushchair with one hand. Answer - I couldn't - therefore I had the child on 'reins' - that's what we call them in the UK - much rather that than have the child end up in the road. I certainly don't think that makes me a 'lazy' parent - simply a responsible and safety conscious one.

In any event the OP simply asked an opinion on a specific type of harness not whether she should use one at all.

 

[pbrim]

I think it's kinda funny everyone saying, "Oh, you're treating your child like a dog!" When child harnesses were invented (Elizabethan times or before) they were called "leading strings" and were the mark of a high status child, royalty or high nobility! All a matter of perception -- and the perception of strangers should rank far below the safety of your child or your peace of mind.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I think that if you want to use a harness at WDW to keep your child safe then you should do it and not have any concern what others think.

I am sick of hearing people criticising others for using a harness. They can be a great help in stopping youngsters from wandering off and getting lost especially in busy or dangerous places.

That harness looks great and I hope you get on fine with it at WDW,

 

[locolala]

I don't have kids yet, but when we do have them, chances are good I will use a harness. You can teach your child not to run off, and in general it works. The way I see it though, there's so much over stimulation at WDW that they might forget that they're not meant to run off. There are so many things to see and do there, it'd be easy for a kid to get distracted and run off. When I was a kid, I HATED holding hands with my parents and would scream and cry no matter what. My parents tried everything, and even now as an adult I don't like holding hands much. They got a harness for me and I was a happy camper!

 

[toverly]

My dad had the best advice for people who were snobbish about the harnesses. He said for them to hold their arm at an angle straight up and see how long it took for them to get cranky. That's what happens to kids when we insist on holding hands continually. I used his advice and never regretted a harness for my DS. I could have sold them to other parents if I had any extras.

 

[squirrlygirl]

There's also another problem that harnesses help with...identifying daddy! Several times on our many trips DH has had a young child grab his leg or start following him.... in that child's mine they were doing as they were told and sticking close to daddy.

Ever notice just how many 30-something dark-haired guys there are wearing knee-length khacki shorts with a t-shirt? From waaaay down low I bet it's hard to see daddy's face

 

[Leajess99]

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.

We used one last year at WDW and never did my child get tangled up with anyone else. Shoot, my 10 year old was the one getting knocked down by adults that did not watch where they were going.

I saw many other kids wearing harnesses that were not getting tangled up either.

 

[MissMet]

As long as I don't get clotheslined in the parks, I don't mind. However if that little monkey tale comes between me & It's A Small World... it's every leashed child & person for themselves.

 

[marymac123]

My DD just turned 4. For the most part she will stay with us but I don't know what she will do at Disney? I have a pink backback harness I got from babies are us. I think I will keep it in my backpack & see how it starts off. I have only used it one other time at the Bronx Zoo & got some snickers & crazy looks.
I am an odsessive crazy mom & always thinking of the worst case scenerio!

It only takes 1 split second!

 

[larryz]

Why do you think astronauts wear leashes while they're working outside their spacecraft? Yes, technically, they're called tethers, but it's the same principle.

The tethers provide life support and keep the astronauts from getting lost in space.

And what could be more appealing to a 2-year-old's imagination, than to be a "Mickeynaut" tethered to the "Mothership"?

So, to my mind, if it's good enough for America's finest -- our intrepid astronaut corps -- then it's good enough for my child.

Oh, by the way...

Opinions (or "opinoins") are like boogers -- everybody has them, and sometimes, they should just keep them to themselves. Please don't use this forum as your handkerchief.

And that's MY opinion!

 

[ScarletFire]

Why do you think astronauts wear leashes while they're working outside their spacecraft? Yes, technically, they're called tethers, but it's the same principle.

The tethers provide life support and keep the astronauts from getting lost in space.

And what could be more appealing to a 2-year-old's imagination, than to be a "Mickeynaut" tethered to the "Mothership"?

So, to my mind, if it's good enough for America's finest -- our intrepid astronaut corps -- then it's good enough for my child.

Oh, by the way...

Opinions (or "opinoins") are like boogers -- everybody has them, and sometimes, they should just keep them to themselves. Please don't use this forum as your handkerchief.

And that's MY opinion!

I like your opinion.

 

[singnring]

Didn't read all the pages of posts, so don't know if this was mentioned or not - sorry if I am repeating.

Years ago, when DD's 23 & 24 were little, we purchased a nice little thing that velcros around child's wrist at one end and adult's wrist at the other, and has a coiled line between.

We still have it, and it has been used for DD10 when she was little, and now we use it for DGS2.

I don't know if they are still available in the stores, but I much prefer it to a harness.

 

[wacky]

SO WHAT if it's a leash!!!!! If it'll help keep a child safe from wandering off and possibly falling in a pond of water and drowning or ending up in the hands of a pervert I'm all for it! It only take a few seconds for a tragedy to happen.

If you need it, use it.

 

[abbiep]

First off, dont let what anyone else thinks make a difference to you in what you think is best for your child.

I lost my daughter in a theme park for about 15 mins and it is terrifying, let me tell you. We were very deligent in keeping up with her so it wasnt a case of parents not watching their child. I went to check out and had to let her hand go for a minute to pay and when I did, someone stepped inbetween us, she couldnt see me and started wandering off to look for me. Thankfully we had just told her if you get separated go to one of these people dressed like this and they will get you back to us.

WE took our grandchildren to Disney World last year and all 3 of them had small backpack looking harness and loved them. I dont know how many times I saw a frantic parent looking for a child. Keeping them safe is the name of the game.

 

[Tinkerbella001]

I agree. If it helps prevent trajedy, then who cares what other people think!! Yes, we are responsible and teach our kids to go to an employee, security guard or CM (when at Disney), but I personally have lost my children a few times. It is always a split-second, you let go of their hand to pay for something, or clean up a spill, etc... and they are gone!!! If they are not strapped in the stroller, I would much prefer to have a handle on them if I needed to let go of their hand for that split-second.

And FWIW, sometimes I DO feel like my children are wild animals!! Especially when they don't get a nap!!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I don't even have children (flame away), but I do have a couple of things to say on this topic.

I don't know how it came up, but when I was in my teens or early 20's my mother mentioned she had used a harness on me when I was very young. I have no memory of it. I said "You put me on a leash like a dog?!?" She replied "Well it kept you from running out in the street and getting hit by a car."

I'm 44 now, but still remember one time when I was probably 5 or 6 we were shopping at K-Mart and I got separated from Mom. I was distracted by something shiny in the toy aisle... At first I was calm and searched the store to find her. I even went down the "ladies unmentionables" aisle LOL. I just couldn't find her. Then I became panicked and terrified. At my age I had the sense to go to the service desk and ask them to page my Mom on the PA. They did and we were reunited. I can't imagine what I would have done if I were only 2 or so years old.

I think it's better to keep your kids safe, and not lost, especially at someplace as crowded as WDW. I don't care how much you explain to a young child to find a cast member and how many places you have your cell phone number hidden on them. I still remember my panic and crying when I couldn't find my Mom at K-Mart.

But really - they ought to all be on a leash! LOL.