harnesses for older kids

[Lauratu]

Hi,
Going alone to WDW soon with my 4 kids aged 3, 4, 6 and 8 yo. I will bring the double stroller for the youngest, and they will definitly be in a chest harness and leash when not in the stroller.
Not sure yet, but I plan to also have the older two in chest harnesses, in order to not loose them. Anybody having used harnessed for older kids ?
I discussed it with the kids, they say they don't mind as far as they have their hands free. They also know that if they have their harnesses on they will be allowed to ride the stroller when the younger are not in it.

 

[pumba]

I say GO FOR IT. Just returned from Disney and I saw alot more families doing this and I applaud them. Scarey situation to be in a crowd so severe that we could not move. I had a hard time holding onto my husbands back pack. I saw some neat harnesses that were like a back pack with an animal on them and a nice heavy holding leash part. Go and have comfort knowing that your kids are at the end of that ......

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm a staunch advocate of using reins for little guys, but I think that for most healthy kids it is usually not necessary to use them any longer once they reach school-age. They tend to find them REALLY embarassing by that point.

My solution with older kids who have worn reins when they were younger is to retain them as a threat (not that they are punishment, exactly, but they are a babyish thing that my older child would prefer not to associate himself with.) I still carry a set in my parks bag, but I haven't had to have DS wear them in quite some time. Just knowing that I have them to hand and ready for use is enough to remind him of what the consequence will be if he fails to follow the rules. He only gets one reminder, and for the past 4 yrs that has been enough.

 

[Hannathy]

First I totally hate harnesses on kids but that is my oppinion and you have yours,what I can't visualize is how you plan on handling a double stroller and 2 kids in harnesses, it sounds like an accident waiting to happen how will you maneuver through crowds. Are you going to hold the leads in one hand and push with the other? what if someone comes between you and the child and the stroller and the other child in the harness keeps walking, etc.

I really think an 8 yr old is perfectly old enough to stay with your group and also feel the same for the 6yr old. I know my 8 yr old would die of embarrassment if they had one on. ( I actually think the 4 yr old could to) Kids stay together on school field trips how is this different.

 

[rrkman]

I say do what ever is safest for all. Might be embarrassing but I would think that losing your child would be a little more embarrassing. We are taking DS2 to WDW in 3 days and have never used a harness but we did buy one just in case we need it.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would not use a harness on a child over 5ish, IMH that's old enough to follow instructions and not get separated as well as to know what to do if they do get separated from you.

I have no problem with using a harness fwiw, not that it matters I did use a harness on my youngest, she was very impulsive so in addition to teaching her to control her impuses we did use the harness for a while.

My dd just turned 9 and honestly I think it would be insulting to her (and me) if she were to have to wear it.

Perhaps a conversation with the 6 and 8 yo on what you expect, why you expect it and how they can help you. Talk about what to do in case you do get separated. We teach stay where you are and ask for help from the nearest CM. My dd's carry a card in their pocket wiht my cellphone number.

We have actually been practicing what would you do now since they were about 4ish. When we are at the mall, zoo, store, park etc I will occasionally say if you were seperated from me right this instant what would you do. They pick a spot, person and strategy that they think would keep them safe until I find them. Then we talk about why that was a good choice, or not and what may have been a better choice. It helps them think on their feet and I am hoping they won't panic should something happen to separate us.

I would consider offering a reward for staying with you and helping with the younger kids, could be something simple like an ice cream treat.

I am wondering why the older two have to wear a harness if they want to take a break in the stroller.

Have a great trip.
TJ

 

[emma'smom]

Perhaps an old "field trip" tactic would work just as well, but keep the older children from being embarrassed. When I was an elementary schoool teacher, I used to take a "line" with me when we were in large crowds (I taught in NYC Public Schools). I would just lead the rope and have a parent hold on to the end. The children were simply asked to hold on to the rope (I put little loops on it to grab) when we were walking. This helped us all stay together (walking at the same pace) and let the crowd know that "this group" was together, so they were less likely to accidentally intercept us. When we got to where we were going, or it was less crowded, I would simply put the line away and we walked together as a less organized group.

 

[famfab5]

On our first trip in 2004 my youngest was nearly three. Our travel tether (tommyguard) was perfect. It gave him the feeling of independence yet kept him close and safe for my piece of mind. It was not a chest harness but attached to our waists on a D hook. Perfect! I've actually been thinking about using it again for our trip this August. Yes, he will be five but he still tends to wander and being at Disney with all there is to see...well, better safe than sorry. Our older children were 7 and 9. They stayed right with us and were very careful about staying right with us.

 

[pumba]

we were in disney a week ago and the crowd control was horrible in MK......people were literally stacked together. kids that were in the six to eight range were picked up by their parents cause it was so bad. I would get the straps for the older kids to put on your belt or their belts.

 

[hezreck]

I just asked my DD8 about this. We were there when she was 6 and are going again this year (as I said she's 8). She told me she would be really embarrassed to be in a harness. She said, "I would feel like a dog on a leash!"

We took her when she was 3 and 6 and she never walked away from us. We had a discussion with her each day before we went to the parks and she KNEW she had to stay with us or we wouldn't be going back. That's all the explaining it took and she was fine. Just my opinion, but I would talk to them about it and see if you could do without the "leashes".

 

[all4fun]

Going ALONE with four kids to WDW! I'm not worthy...

I can see why you're thinking you might need reins. I personally like the pp's idea of using a rope with loops for them to hang on to.

Or use chest harnesses for the younger two and those wrist leashes for the older two. I would think those would be less embarrassing. Just make sure it's NOT the stretchy kind because your kids could get too far away and it could be a tripping hazzard for other guest in which case your child could get hurt too.

There used to be a product called the "au pair" which was a fanny pack style for both parent and child with a lead in between. I've seen it online but I don't know if they're still available. I've seen the cute animal backpacks at Walmart & Target for about $10 so if you go that route, don't buy them online!

Having said all that, we have taken our neices and nephew at ages 7, 8, & 12 and never had a problem losing them, but we also went during a less busy time of year with them so that could make a big difference.

Another suggestion is to teach the kids how to spot a Cast Member (look for WHITE name badges). You can also get ID for them to wear like something on this site: My precious child ID w/your cell # written on it. If they get seperated from you they can find a CM and have someone call you.

hth!

Cheryl

 

[Mom to Jordan]

A couple more ideas to help keep up with everyone;

Dress everyone in very bright colored matching shirts.
Buy everyone a bright colored balloon and tie it on the belt loops.

Remember that in a pinch, all four kids would fit in a double stroller. Push everyone through the crowds.

 

[diannaneglia]

I have a son who is mildly autistic and 11 years old. He would be very embarrised if I told him he had to wear a harness...but...I don't trust him to stay with us and I am very afraid of him getting lost...so...I am going with a wrist harness by Safety 1st...you can buy them at Walmart or KMart. It is a band around your wrist and then a strap that attaches to the childs band around his/her wrist. I will bring it with me and if I see him being distracted or the crowds are too much to handle, I will not hesitate to use it...with my sons ok though...I don't want this to cause him any discomfort emotionally either.

So mainly...go with what ever you & the child feel comfortable with...don't worry about what other people think...they aren't the ones that will be helping you search for your kid when they get lost. Or heart broken when you can't find them.

I also thought maybe I would let my 15 year old daughter be in control on the wrist restraints...that way he might not be as intimidated cause they are buddies...with me holding on it looks like he is being controlled...??!! This way if he were they were to get seperated from me, they are together and she has a cell to get a hold of me.

Again...just my 2 cents!

 

[Schmeck]

What do you do when you go somewhere in public now with your 4 children? How do they do in the grocery store, the mall, etc? If the older ones can stay near you at the mall, they'll be fine at WDW without a chest harness, I would think.

One thing you'll have to think about at WDW is how to handle the attractions with four children, one adult. Some ride vehicles do not fit five people (Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, etc.) and you definitely would not be able to keep in physical contact with all of your children on those rides. I don't think you can even fit 5 on Dumbo.

 

[DaisyD]

I would not harness the 6 and 8 y/o. Way too old for that. I would keep the younger ones harnessed if they want to stretch their legs but that is it. I can't believe the 6 y/o or 8 y/o didn't throw a fit. My now 7 y/o would have never worn one after the age of 4 and I don't blame her.

 

[mama4]

I think I would, at most, use a wrist harness with the older two. My kids are 4 and 2 and I do worry about the 4yo at disney (2 yo is always in a stroller if dh isn't nearby) but he has always been great about holding on to the handle of the stroller while I push his brother. This keeps him nearby and he also feels big because he's "helping" push the stroller. My sister's 4 kids are the exact ages of your kids. Two girls 8 & 6 and two boys 4 and 3. They can be a rambunctious bunch (especially when we have all of our kids together) but usually the 8 yo is capable of understanding and remembering to stay near us- the 6 yo has a little more trouble but we manage. The 6 yo also wants to ride in the stroller most of the day at MK. That's may be another challenge for you because chances are they will all want to be in the stroller at some time and while four might fit in a double for a short time, can you imagine how heavy that stroller would be?
I think your very brave and obviously capable of pulling this off, but have you considered taking another adult or responsible teen to help out? Could make your trip a lot more pleasent.

 

[Lauratu]

Hello,

Finally, I gave the two older kids the choice between the wrist strap and the chest harness. They tried both. The 6yo choose to have the wrist strap and the 8 yo choose the chest harness.
We spent a marvelous stay at WDW with all the kids safely tied to mum. no one lost.

 

[mama4]

Glad it worked out for you and that you had a wonderful trip! I wish we were going soon- looks like we may be rescheduling our October 2007 trip to January 2008 ( but it will be a longer trip so it's not too bad ) when my youngest will be a year and a half.

 

[MightyMom]

I think you are being smart in coming up with a strategy to keep your kids safe.

I would rather my kid was embarrassed than scared out of his mind when he was lost.

A harness may not be necessary all the time on the older kids.... but I would say it is a MUST at night!

I used a wrist leash on my niece in June. She is 7 1/2 (can't forget that all important 1/2 ) She never complained of being embarrassed. And before I get flamed, I did tell her parents I would be using one.

If my 7 1/2 year old son wasn't in a wheelchair.... I would use one on him too. And when my 2 year old is ready to venture outside his stroller and wander around Main Street USA..... you can bet he'll be in a harness too!

You know you're children best.... and I think you'll do what's best for them.

 

[CindyAnn]

My advice would have been "do whatever you need to do to keep everyone safe". I'm so glad you followed your instincts, and ended up having a vacation that was both fun and safe.

Cheers,