Harnesses for Kids

[jlatina32]

I hate to admit it, but I was one of those people who disliked the harnesses. Now, I think it is great thing to have. Especially in WDW. I have a 2 year old neice who will be joining us on our August 2010 trip. She is a handful!!!!

She does not like being in a stroller and when she is not in the stroller, she is everywhere!!!! Not only that, she throws tantrums and is not shy at all. I love my neice to death but I worry about how high strung she is!! I want my sister to get the most out of the trip since it is her very first visit to the world and I am considering the harness for my neice so it can allow both mommy and child some freedom.

What you guyz think?

 

[mousemom11]

I hate to admit it, but I was one of those people who disliked the harnesses. Now, I think it is great thing to have. Especially in WDW. I have a 2 year old neice who will be joining us on our August 2010 trip. She is a handful!!!!

She does not like being in a stroller and when she is not in the stroller, she is everywhere!!!! Not only that, she throws tantrums and is not shy at all. I love my neice to death but I worry about how high strung she is!! I want my sister to get the most out of the trip since it is her very first visit to the world and I am considering the harness for my neice so it can allow both mommy and child some freedom.

What you guyz think?

If she decides to use one, I strongly recommend that your sister buy one before the trip and try it out with your niece. You don't want to get to the park, put it on her, and have her throw a tantrum over it. Given the crowds at Disney, your sister should really make it clear to your niece that it's either the stroller, the harness, or holding hands. And the first time she bolts from holding hands, she loses the hand privilege for the rest of the day and it will be either stroller or harness.

 

[Millermom0606]

If she decides to use one, I strongly recommend that your sister buy one before the trip and try it out with your niece. You don't want to get to the park, put it on her, and have her throw a tantrum over it. Given the crowds at Disney, your sister should really make it clear to your niece that it's either the stroller, the harness, or holding hands. And the first time she bolts from holding hands, she loses the hand privilege for the rest of the day and it will be either stroller or harness.

I plan on test driving them with our 2 smaller ones at the zoo we have them, but we normally only use them in the Ocean..... hmm get swept out in an undercurrent or put the harness on them.... LOL O and sometimes I attach the velcro part to the little ones pool Boats... but I have 3 kids and only 2 arms (esp when DH is Deployed) besides, they love it b/c they have a little freedom in the pool too

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

For those who use them, when you're in a restaurant, do you disconnect it or simply tie it to something (the table, a chair, or some other object that can't be easily moved), especially if you're worried about your youngster getting out of his or her seat and running off? Thanks.

If I saw a kid tied to a table in a restaurant, I'd get the manager. Really.

And I'd like to point out that the fact that this question was even ASKED reinforces my belief that harnesses make it really, really easy for parents to be bad parents.

For every parent that uses a harness responsibly, you have 10 parents dragging kids through a store, tying them to a table, and otherwise abusing the harness (and the kid).

 

[Hannathy]

I plan on test driving them with our 2 smaller ones at the zoo we have them, but we normally only use them in the Ocean..... hmm get swept out in an undercurrent or put the harness on them.... LOL O and sometimes I attach the velcro part to the little ones pool Boats... but I have 3 kids and only 2 arms (esp when DH is Deployed) besides, they love it b/c they have a little freedom in the pool too

I can't believe I'm reading this! Do you know how dangerous it is to other kids and people for you to be using a leash in the waves. If I saw this I'd be getting the life guard immediately. You can take out some other poor child or persons feet and dump them in the wave and next thing the innocent person is under the water tumbling in the surf. I have been caught by someones boogie board strap and that is bad enough let alone a leash! I am astounded. If they can't stay by you in the water then stay at the edge of the water. There are other children than yours in the world.

 

[BayouMickey]

If I saw a kid tied to a table in a restaurant, I'd get the manager. Really.

And I'd like to point out that the fact that this question was even ASKED reinforces my belief that harnesses make it really, really easy for parents to be bad parents.

For every parent that uses a harness responsibly, you have 10 parents dragging kids through a store, tying them to a table, and otherwise abusing the harness (and the kid).

Are you serious? Are you really using a 1 to 10 ratio?
First, it amazes me that this discussion is still going.
Second I got one thing to say to everyone "Mind your own business", when I was growing up, if we saw something we didn't neccessarily agree with, we would wince, but tell ourselves it's not our business. As long as laws are not being broken, and it's not affecting you personally, as my daughter would say "GET OUT MY KOOL AID"

 

[BayouMickey]

I can't believe I'm reading this! Do you know how dangerous it is to other kids and people for you to be using a leash in the waves. If I saw this I'd be getting the life guard immediately. You can take out some other poor child or persons feet and dump them in the wave and next thing the innocent person is under the water tumbling in the surf. I have been caught by someones boogie board strap and that is bad enough let alone a leash! I am astounded. If they can't stay by you in the water then stay at the edge of the water. There are other children than yours in the world.

I'm going into the *Safety Child Bubble business. I'll make a mint! From people like you. All of these "it could happen" scenarios is going to make me a fortune. BUY A *BUBBLE! KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE!
And if things really go bad, the *bubble will come with a nozzle that you can pump in our patented *cryogenic solution that will keep your child harm free for centuries!

*patent and trademark pending

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Are you serious? Are you really using a 1 to 10 ratio?
First, it amazes me that this discussion is still going.
Second I got one thing to say to everyone "Mind your own business", when I was growing up, if we saw something we didn't neccessarily agree with, we would wince, but tell ourselves it's not our business. As long as laws are not being broken, and it's not affecting you personally, as my daughter would say "GET OUT MY KOOL AID"

I really am using a 1-10 ratio. I've been to Disney 49 times, and I'm a parent, and this is my personal experience with harnesses. For every one person I see using the harness in an ethical manner, I see ten idiots treating their kid like an ignored yo-yo.

Before y'all get your panties in a twist, understand that I am not personally calling any other posters idiots. I know people read a post and automatically think it's all about them, and it's not. I have seen people I think were behaving like idiots with children in harnesses, thus I have a negative opinion about the use of harnesses because they are so easy to abuse.

If I saw a kid tied to a table at a restaurant, it would affect me personally. I don't see how seeing that could NOT bother you.

 

[BayouMickey]

I really am using a 1-10 ratio. I've been to Disney 49 times, and I'm a parent, and this is my personal experience with harnesses. For every one person I see using the harness in an ethical manner, I see ten idiots treating their kid like an ignored yo-yo.

Before y'all get your panties in a twist, understand that I am not personally calling any other posters idiots. I know people read a post and automatically think it's all about them, and it's not. I have seen people I think were behaving like idiots with children in harnesses, thus I have a negative opinion about the use of harnesses because they are so easy to abuse.

If I saw a kid tied to a table at a restaurant, it would affect me personally. I don't see how seeing that could NOT bother you.

NO, no it wouldn't, it would make you a but-insky. Because of YOUR personal view, your personal view is not the all end all. mind your business.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm going into the *Safety Child Bubble business. I'll make a mint! From people like you. All of these "it could happen" scenarios is going to make me a fortune. BUY A *BUBBLE! KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE!
And if things really go bad, the *bubble will come with a nozzle that you can pump in our patented *cryogenic solution that will keep your child harm free for centuries!

*patent and trademark pending

You could say the same thing to the parents who use the leashes. I'm just saying...

I think the point that poster was making is that while some parents my use the leash for a security devise, some simply use them so they can ignore their kids. I happen to agree in part. If you cannot control your child long enough for a meal, without having to tie them down, then you have other issues.

And I have seen for myself some of the parents who think that they can ignore a child because they have them on a leash. A parent on one side of a walkway, a child on the other, with the leash stretched out in between is not safe for anyone else. If you choose to use a leash for safety, please remember that doesn't mean you can ignore your child.

 

[BayouMickey]

You could say the same thing to the parents who use the leashes. I'm just saying...

Heeeey! YEEEAAAH! double the income!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

If I saw a kid tied to a table in a restaurant, I'd get the manager. Really.

And I'd like to point out that the fact that this question was even ASKED reinforces my belief that harnesses make it really, really easy for parents to be bad parents.

For every parent that uses a harness responsibly, you have 10 parents dragging kids through a store, tying them to a table, and otherwise abusing the harness (and the kid).

The question was asked, by one person, and it's hard to tell from her post whether she was asking because she thought it was a good idea or because she was trying to make a point about being able to control a child in a restaurant versus a crowded theme park.

So far no one has said they've actually seen a child tied to a table, and no one has said they have tied their child to a table. You are really making a flying leap here.

I really am using a 1-10 ratio. I've been to Disney 49 times, and I'm a parent, and this is my personal experience with harnesses. For every one person I see using the harness in an ethical manner, I see ten idiots treating their kid like an ignored yo-yo.

Before y'all get your panties in a twist, understand that I am not personally calling any other posters idiots. I know people read a post and automatically think it's all about them, and it's not. I have seen people I think were behaving like idiots with children in harnesses, thus I have a negative opinion about the use of harnesses because they are so easy to abuse.

If I saw a kid tied to a table at a restaurant, it would affect me personally. I don't see how seeing that could NOT bother you.

My panties aren't twisted , really, I feel bad for you, that you live somewhere with so many idiots, or perhaps you tend to visit Disney during the idiot-parent conventions. Or maybe I'm just lucky to live and visit with the sane folks, because I've never seen a parent yank their kid by their harness, let other people get tangled up in it or anything else I'd call abuse. I've never had a stroller shoved into my ankles, either, so I guess I am really lucky!

If I saw a child tied to a table, I would probably think he was a real handful. And I'd be reminded of the story my husband told me of his sister, who wouldn't stop getting up from the dinner table (at home), so my MIL tied her to her chair with dish towel so she wouldn't get up. That poor little girl is now 50, a successful businesswoman, who laughs about her "abuse" and has no lingering issues.

 

[Hannathy]

I'm going into the *Safety Child Bubble business. I'll make a mint! From people like you. All of these "it could happen" scenarios is going to make me a fortune. BUY A *BUBBLE! KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE!
And if things really go bad, the *bubble will come with a nozzle that you can pump in our patented *cryogenic solution that will keep your child harm free for centuries!

*patent and trademark pending

I get you are trying to be flippant and cute BUT you should really read what you are responding to first.........

I am appalled that someone would use a leash in the water because it could harm me- and justifiably so!!! They also should think about the fact that if the leash gets pulled from their hand they just opened their child up to drowning when it gets caught on something under the water and the child gets held under.

I hate leashes and will never use one. I also hate the bubble mentality and hovering helicopter parents so you really should know who and what you are quoting.

 

[BayouMickey]

I get you are trying to be flippant and cute BUT you should really read what you are responding to first.........

I am appalled that someone would use a leash in the water because it could harm me- and justifiably so!!! They also should think about the fact that if the leash gets pulled from their hand they just opened their child up to drowning when it gets caught on something under the water and the child gets held under.

I hate leashes and will never use one. I also hate the bubble mentality and hovering helicopter parents so you really should know who and what you are quoting.

Know what my grandparents used to do with me (age 5-9) when we'd go to our camp on the bayou? They'd tie a rope to me and to a post on the cabana that stood over the bayou and let me at it.
The solution to your problem is easy, move away.

 

[LauraAnn630]

You do whats best for your child. You know whats best for your child.
Dont worry about what anyone else thinks.


I remember my sister running around Epcot telling everyone her daughter has autism.

I said, "Why are you doing that?"

She said, "If I dont they wont stop staring!"

I felt awful about this! That when I started paying more attention. She was right! People are staring.

Whats wrong with people??? We are trying to give this child some kind of life!
Everyone needs to mind there own business.

Be grateful if you do not need to put a harness on your child.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

NO, no it wouldn't, it would make you a but-insky. mind your business.

Nope. I find it enormously amusing that you're attempting me to order me around on a message board, however.

The question was asked, by one person, and it's hard to tell from her post whether she was asking because she thought it was a good idea or because she was trying to make a point about being able to control a child in a restaurant versus a crowded theme park.

Correct, that's why my reply said "IF", as in "If I saw a child tied to a table," in other words, if the poster proposed tying a kid to a table, what would be the result? That was my answer.

My panties aren't twisted , really, I feel bad for you, that you live somewhere with so many idiots, or perhaps you tend to visit Disney during the idiot-parent conventions. Or maybe I'm just lucky to live and visit with the sane folks, because I've never seen a parent yank their kid by their harness, let other people get tangled up in it or anything else I'd call abuse. I've never had a stroller shoved into my ankles, either, so I guess I am really lucky!

Again, this really isn't about you. I'm glad you're so lucky. I've seen all of the things you mentioned. Maybe I just get out more.

If I saw a child tied to a table, I would probably think he was a real handful. And I'd be reminded of the story my husband told me of his sister, who wouldn't stop getting up from the dinner table (at home), so my MIL tied her to her chair with dish towel so she wouldn't get up. That poor little girl is now 50, a successful businesswoman, who laughs about her "abuse" and has no lingering issues.

It's very obvious we live in different worlds, with different ideas of what is abusive to children. That's part of why I find the disboards so interesting, in a cringe-worthy sort of way.

I know there are some pro-harness people that won't stop until the rest of the world is either all on board with leashing children, or has at least cowed the anti-harness bunch into silence.

Until people can use harnesses appropriately, I don't think it's ever going to happen. Especially now that we have message boards and YouTube...

 

[golden6911]

With my daughter I would never have dreamed of using one of those. My son was and is much more active and impulsive. He would dart away very quickly, even if closely supervised. I tried using a harness on him and he absolutely detested it so I found other ways to cope. However, I'd never judge if it worked for someone else.

 

[BayouMickey]

I know there are some pro-harness people that won't stop until the rest of the world is either all on board with leashing children, or has at least cowed the anti-harness bunch into silence.

Until people can use harnesses appropriately, I don't think it's ever going to happen. Especially now that we have message boards and YouTube...

And on the other hand there are the anti-harness people who won't quit until PETA gets involved and then leashes will not only be cruel to children but also for animals. Eventually the world will become vinilla with communistic like laws because the governments have no choice in hopes of pleasing everyone.
One day Sylvester Stalone will be defrosted and with brute force show that an ideal world is fantasy and he will destroy a Taco Bell (the sole surviving franchise from the franchise war). He will smash the profanity monitors that issue citations for cursing. And end cyber sexing....

 

[MattM]

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?

I love my kid and my dog. Should I put my kid in the kennel every night before I got to bed so I know he won't get in to anything and stay in bed? Or get him neutered just in case he becomes a wild child in his teens?

I think I read that a dog can "understand" 5-10 actual words. My 3 yr. old can understand many, many more than that. That's why I keep my dog on a leash, but not my son.

 

[SnowandMittens]

I love my kid and my dog. Should I put my kid in the kennel every night before I got to bed so I know he won't get in to anything and stay in bed? Or get him neutered just in case he becomes a wild child in his teens?

I think I read that a dog can "understand" 5-10 actual words. My 3 yr. old can understand many, many more than that. That's why I keep my dog on a leash, but not my son.

I'm glad that you feel comfortable doing so.

I think the point is that some children and parents might feel the need to use the leash appropriately. It's not treating your child as a dog to use it. It's an extra safety measure.

You can disagree with using the leash for your child (and seriously, kudos to you for not needing it!) but please don't compare children to dogs.