How do you feel about child harness?

[ali52979]

so before I had my son I thought those child harnesses where the child wears a back pack and there is a "leash" attached were crazy. I use the word leash for lack of another word. anyway, we are going with the world with my 14 month old son who hates being in the stroller and is a runner, not a walker, he just runs all the time. what do you think about those things? I swore I would never use one but never thought my child would be so active

 

[labdogs42]

I bought one for my son before his first trip. I ended up keeping it in the diaper bag the whole trip, but I was glad I had it in case I needed it. That was one of those times I realized how many things I said I would "never" do before I had kids that I really had no clue about! You realize that after you have kids, life changes, and you'll do whatever it takes to keep that kid safe. If you feel safer with a physical connection between you and your kid, get a leash. They even make cute backpack ones now.

 

[FaerieFire]

so before I had my son I thought those child harnesses where the child wears a back pack and there is a "leash" attached were crazy. I use the word leash for lack of another word. anyway, we are going with the world with my 14 month old son who hates being in the stroller and is a runner, not a walker, he just runs all the time. what do you think about those things? I swore I would never use one but never thought my child would be so active

This may not speak entirely to your question, but having been on the receiving end of criticism amidst the controversy over child "leashes," I wrote this a few years ago: http://bethanybeachnews.com/content/monkey_his_back.

°o° Lace — Planning our second WDW adventure, 11/1-12 AoA-LM (Sent from my iPad using DISBoards)

 

[mad madam mim78]

I've never used one but if I had a child who didn't like strollers and took off like a shot I would totally use one. Nothing more terrifying than losing a child in a crowd.

 

[NJRRK]

Just put yourself in the child's position; would you rather have some freedom to walk around and explore, with limits, or walk around with you hand held tightly above your head, or be confined to a relatively confined space.

My DD, now 22, was perfectly happy sitting in a stroller and just getting out when she was allowed. DS, now 18, not so much, nor did he like to have his hand held. Used a harness on him and he was happy.

Just be prepared for snide comments from people who see that as treating then as an animal because they only see the "leash" and don't think about the child's well being and happiness, only the outward appearance.

Bottom line ONLY YOU know what is best for YOUR CHILD. Let no others tell you what is right or wrong.

 

[labdogs42]

If you haven't seen the Modern Family Disneyland episode, check it out! Cam and Mitchell use a "Child safety tether" for Lily and it is hilarious!

 

[Bonniec]

I've never used one and don't particularly care for them. But then, my child was never a runner nor was I looking after several small kids at once. I can understand their usefulness, especially in crowded places. I say use one if you feel it would help and don't worry about what everyone else thinks. If anyone gives you "looks" for using one, it's their problem and not yours.

 

[thedonduck]

My theory is to do whatever is best for your family. We take a lot of criticism from others (family included) that we still wear our DS (who is almost 2.5), but my opinion is that as long as DS is happy to be worn, I'd rather him be safe on my back then lost in the HUGE crowds of WDW.

Take what you need, baby carrier, harness, stroller.

 

[damo]

I think tethers are an effective way of keeping your child close to you. They allow the child to walk without causing discomfort. You will get many responses saying they are degrading. Ignore them.

 

[nigel-bigel]

I never needed to use them with my girls, but if they were runners or wanderers I would have. When you think about it, a leash is just an extension of hand holding. I've seen lots of children fussing at the end of their parent's hand, wanting to get away and run around. I've never seen a child trying to get out of a leash. I truly don't think kids mind them.

I think the leash gives kids just enough freedom to not feel confined but still keeps them safe.

Nicole

 

[maxiesmom]

As long as they are used responsibly, I have no problem with them. Don't be the parent who has the child on one side of the walkway while you are on the other, with the tether strung between, ready to trip someone. Some parents use a tether as a substitute for paying attention to what their child is doing. Not good.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

I feel that you should do WHATEVER is in the best interest of you and your child, and to hell with anyone who may have an issue with it.

I have seen so many out of control kids at WDW. For example, I was trying to take a picture of a heron a few weeks ago and out of nowhere this 2 year old boy comes running up on the bird and starts chasing it around the park. I was furious and never did get my shot. I wanted so badly to chase the kid around the park to see how he liked it, mom and dad never did stop him.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I think they're awesome, and I don't even have kids yet. An excited child can slip away and run into a crowd (or worse, traffic) in the blink of an eye. Not every kid needs one, but some do. Absolutely no judgment here.

 

[d1gitman]

do whatever works for your family and don't worry what others think. your peace of mind and childs safety is more important than our opinion.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

so before I had my son I thought those child harnesses where the child wears a back pack and there is a "leash" attached were crazy. I use the word leash for lack of another word. anyway, we are going with the world with my 14 month old son who hates being in the stroller and is a runner, not a walker, he just runs all the time. what do you think about those things? I swore I would never use one but never thought my child would be so active

~Both of our children HATED strollers. While the other moms in our neighborhood brandished these nice stylish jogging strollers, I was the poor mom pulling mine in the big red wagon, lol. (.... oh, and I also had to make use of the cross country baby carrier backpack with the kick stand!)

I took DS to WDW at the age of two, and I brought a light, easy to fold stroller for him that he barely used, actually his big sister used it more.

Okay, back to the tether, I tried this once with DD, and I'll never forget the experience. We were at Kroger and DD refused to ride in the cute little car attached to the front of the stroller. So, I got a regular stroller and told her to walk with me, of course, she took off. So, I gently put the tether on her wrist and it was attached my wrist. She didn't get it, until I started to walk and once that tether began to pull her, DD let me have it, I'm talking total meltdown. I refused to take it off, but that only lasted for a second because she dropped on the floor and started rolling and screaming in the aisle, I was SO embarrassed! I told DD I would take if off if she stayed with me and believe it or not, she "got it", she stayed with me and did not take off from that point on.

I didn't have to do anything with DS, he's a runner too, but he just followed DD's lead, so no problems there. I have no problem with people using tethers, and I probably wouldn't notice unless the child made a huge scene like mine. You have to do what's best for you and your family. Good Luck!

 

[meredith1]

I've never used one but, my heart of heart feelings on them are if it keeps your kiddo safe, use it. We may be going the same route next year with our twins who will be 3.5.

 

[finchydee]

I'll be taking my very active 16 month old dd to WDW in 10 days and I will be taking her backpack harness! She hates the stroller and will run from me in an instant. I've even tried reverse psychology on her waving to her and saying bye Ava and this little stinker will wave bye to me and keep on going! It's all about safety and I don't see the big deal personally. People like to use the "dog" comparison but we put kids in a crib (like a crate) and give them teethers ( chew toys) LOL don't worry about comments others make just do what's best for you and your baby!

 

[Art 1]

We had control over ours and didn't need a leash for them. I feel sorry for the child when I see them on one.

 

[Belle102498]

Just a word of caution from an observer: Especially during Food and Wine Fest, when drinking is plentiful, and after parades where people are trying to mass leave the parks...People don't always notice that munchkins are there, and I have seen people walk through the "tail" of the backpack, essentially clotheslining the kiddo. One poor little guy hit his head off the sidewalk, and the adult offender didn't even stop...I just plead that you either carry, or hold your little one's hand in these cases...My heart goes out to the little ones who get hurt because others don't pay attention...It doesn't just happen with the harnesses either. I've seen them knock over strollers...Don't want to be a downer...just want the little ones to be safe and have a happy time

 

[Brian Noble]

so before I had my son

There are a lot of things that I thought I knew about parenting before actually becoming one. Then, when we had our second, I realized that everything I thought I knew about "kids" I only knew about my eldest, because almost none of it applied to him.