How do you feel about child harness?

[LilyWDW]

You do what you have to do for your family. As long as you use it safely. I have seen people nearly get tripped because the line was let out too much. Remember you are in a large crowd at Disney. The line will most likely have to be kept short for the safety of your child and those around you.

 

[Nomad70]

I was that 3 year old in 1973 who took off in Disneyland right into the middle a huge crowd! It totally freaked my parents out for a good 15 minutes, though they said I was perfectly happy looking at something alone when they found me. lol Fast foreword almost 40 years and I find those little 'buddy' systems to be a great alternative to a lost child. My two older children, now teens, were not the type to run off, in fact, I still can't get them detached at times! lol But, our 6 year old was the type at 1 or 2 to run anywhere he felt he needed to be and his "monkey buddy" was really something he loved and mom and dad felt safer using.

 

[Suellen]

I don't think it is a better idea to leave a child home when they could easily come along and be attached by a tether. Is it really that big a deal? I mean, it isn't like the tether is attached to a collar around the child's neck. You would honestly keep the entire family home from vacation instead of attach a cord between the parent's wrist and the child's backpack?

I would - but I never needed to. I taught them to follow my safety instructions.

People can teach their dogs to safely walk on a sidewalk without running out in to traffic - I can certainly teach my child to walk safely with me at a theme park.

Perhaps my children were just gifted to be able to comprehend this?

They were not ( and still aren't) perfect angles by any means - but if they can't follow simple safety insteuctructions them I will certainly keep the family home until they figure it out.

 

[MoonFaerie]

I'm not a fan of them. I think they make children & parents look silly BUT if that's what you feel you need to keep your child safe, by all means use it.

Granted I only have 9 years of parenting experience, but I'm pretty sure 90% of parenting involves the parents looking silly.

We used one with DS when he was younger. Mostly just in potentially dangerous situations, like walking around a city. He was a runner. He's special needs, so it took longer for him to get to the point that he didn't bolt. Anyone that says that the kids wouldn't be runners if it was treated as unacceptable behavior clearly never had a child that is a runner. Maturity and therapy got us through it. Asking the parent of a 2-3 year old runner what will happen when the kid starts school is just like asking about a toddler that isn't potty trained or can't write his/her name or one of many other things. A toddler has a lot of developmental differences from a 5-6 year old.

 

[Eoywin]

My daughter hasn't liked her stroller for years and isn't too fond of holding hands. When she was younger her bat wing harass was a godsend for me, especially when we were out in a crowded area by ourselves.

She is almost four so she uses it very rarely now. I did put her in it when went to Dragon*Con earlier this month. 60,000 people make me more than a little nervous about getting separated.

She loves her bat wings and she likes the freedom that they give her. I doubt I'll use them for Disney next year but I might still bring them with us.

 

[Suellen]

Granted I only have 9 years of parenting experience, but I'm pretty sure 90% of parenting involves the parents looking silly.

We used one with DS when he was younger. Mostly just in potentially dangerous situations, like walking around a city. He was a runner. He's special needs, so it took longer for him to get to the point that he didn't bolt. Anyone that says that the kids wouldn't be runners if it was treated as unacceptable behavior clearly never had a child that is a runner. Maturity and therapy got us through it. Asking the parent of a 2-3 year old runner what will happen when the kid starts school is just like asking about a toddler that isn't potty trained or can't write his/her name or one of many other things. A toddler has a lot of developmental differences from a 5-6 year old.

Special needs aside - you can teach a 2 or 3 year old that it is unacceptable to run away from a parent.

Also people are talking of four year olds still using them? preschool starts at 3 ...some kids start kindergarten at 4. Are they not allowed to go on field trips? Even walking to the library or cafeteria allows for "running" here anyway.

Any who - like I originally said - don't care what someone else does - I never used one and never would - bit your kids are YOUR kids - do whatever makes you happy. I could care less as long as I don't get tripped by your runners leash.

 

[ali52979]

wow! I didn't expect this many responses but thank you for them. I see it is split on the subject. I understand what some say about people tripping over the strap and i wouldn't use it if very crowded or for extended periods of time. And I think that the "lazy parent" idea is a little crazy. My son is 14 months old and runs like he has been walking for 6 months. The is no such thing as being a lazy parent for him, there is not time to be one. From the moment he wakes up til bedtime be is moving. He hates when I hold his hand and will pull his arm away constantly. I get what some of you are saying about him not being disciplined but I don't know many 1 year old boys who listen to No and will understand to stay close to the stroller.

Anyway, again I have not made up my mind. However, whether I decide to use it or not, I will never judge someone else who is when I see it.

 

[Suellen]

To get the "lazy parent" comment - you'd have to see one. They are usually completely distracted from their child while the leash child pulls and tugs the leash in the opposite direction. You will know one when you see one! I see them most often at Epcot - and last night at F& W they usually had a drink in hand. I notice them a lot from my wheelchair because I'm terrified of the unwatched child bumping my injured leg.

 

[twinboysmom]

I would - but I never needed to. I taught them to follow my safety instructions.

People can teach their dogs to safely walk on a sidewalk without running out in to traffic - I can certainly teach my child to walk safely with me at a theme park.

Perhaps my children were just gifted to be able to comprehend this?

They were not ( and still aren't) perfect angles by any means - but if they can't follow simple safety insteuctructions them I will certainly keep the family home until they figure it out.

Personally, I think it is a terrible idea to keep kids home because they won't learn anything. If I kept mine at home until they followed directions we would never leave the house. I have read your posts of this thread and others and I can tell you, you didn't have "that" kid. There are just some children that take longer than others to comprehend why running way is not safe. You can practice daily (which we do) and be consistent and still end up wanting to pull every hair on your head out in frustration. It is much more of a pain in the rear to have to put my boys on a leash, harness, tether, or whatever than to just hold their hands while we walk in a parking lot. But until they mature enough not to be "that" kind of child, it is what we will do.

 

[meredith1]

As someone who doesn't have kids, by choice, but who DOES work in a very large children's museum - I heart them. Sure there are pros and cons to them. There are also pros and cons to letting your "runner" loose in a VERY crowded area. Can they get hurt because some bozo clotheslines them? Yes. Can they get hurt running around and tripping over a curb? Yes. Can the tether be abused? Yes. Can a non-observant parent cause a child to hurt themselves b/c they aren't paying attention? Yup. Anything can happen - it depends on you and your child and what other people think is not your concern.

I do resent the they-make-your-child-look-like-a-pet arguements. I love my dog as my child and I keep him on a leash when I need to BECAUSE I love him. He goes off leash when it's safe. There is no difference. You are responsible for the safety of your child and I am responsible for the safety of my pet. How WE as the parent/owner decide to do that is our business and no one else's.

You might get dirty looks, but I wish you strength and luck! Don't worry about what other folks think!

Where is the like button when you need it?

 

[Suellen]

Personally, I think it is a terrible idea to keep kids home because they won't learn anything. If I kept mine at home until they followed directions we would never leave the house. I have read your posts of this thread and others and I can tell you, you didn't have "that" kid. There are just some children that take longer than others to comprehend why running way is not safe. You can practice daily (which we do) and be consistent and still end up wanting to pull every hair on your head out in frustration. It is much more of a pain in the rear to have to put my boys on a leash, harness, tether, or whatever than to just hold their hands while we walk in a parking lot. But until they mature enough not to be "that" kind of child, it is what we will do.

sure they do. They learn to listen or miss out. We stayed home a lot and missed out on a lot until they learned appropriate behaviors outside the home. My youngest was a nightmare so we missed a lot. She eventually learned and it got better. We went home early, we stayed home, one parent would take older child. We'd try again and if it wasn't better we'd leave again. I left Cape May with one two year old couldn't behave and kept standing up and just generally being unruly and we sat in the car while she cried "I was still eating!" we did not go back in and the rest of the family finished their meal. Any time after she would act up I'd simply ask if she would like to leave and sit in the car with me again. never had to leave again. Sure she would need reminders.

So yeah - I'd totally stay home until they could safely walk with me - or go when it wasn't busy. One year we went the second week of January - not my favorite - but my wanderer was allowed to wander and I followed. Zero crowds made it easy. I guess we would just make different choices to not have to leash them because WE didn't like it for OUR kids. Just like WE didn't let them throw humongous fits in public. another thing i see far too much of.

 

[twinboysmom]

sure they do. They learn to listen or miss out. We stayed home a lot and missed out on a lot until they learned appropriate behaviors outside the home. My youngest was a nightmare so we missed a lot. She eventually learned and it got better. We went home early, we stayed home, one parent would take older child. We'd try again and if it wasn't better we'd leave again. I left Cape May with one two year old couldn't behave and kept standing up and just generally being unruly and we sat in the car while she cried "I was still eating!" we did not go back in and the rest of the family finished their meal. Any time after she would act up I'd simply ask if she would like to leave and sit in the car with me again. never had to leave again. Sure she would need reminders.

So yeah - I'd totally stay home until they could safely walk with me - or go when it wasn't busy. One year we went the second week of January - not my favorite - but my wanderer was allowed to wander and I followed. Zero crowds made it easy. I guess we would just make different choices to not have to leash them because WE didn't like it for OUR kids. Just like WE didn't let them throw humongous fits in public. another thing i see far too much of.

You said stay at home, not leave the situation. We leave places all of the time. Not all children understand consequences at age 2. Glad yours did but mine still haven't mastered that concept. We went to Disney 2 weeks ago. It doesn't get any less crowded. You referred to your child as a wanderer. My son doesn't wander. He runs, wide open. There is no following him around unless you wish to run aimlessly through the park. And I still maintain they won't learn anything by sitting out the house. He will outgrow it eventually. I would much prefer not to leash them but until he understands basic safety, we will do what we find necessary.

 

[Hannathy]

sure they do. They learn to listen or miss out. We stayed home a lot and missed out on a lot until they learned appropriate behaviors outside the home. My youngest was a nightmare so we missed a lot. She eventually learned and it got better. We went home early, we stayed home, one parent would take older child. We'd try again and if it wasn't better we'd leave again. I left Cape May with one two year old couldn't behave and kept standing up and just generally being unruly and we sat in the car while she cried "I was still eating!" we did not go back in and the rest of the family finished their meal. Any time after she would act up I'd simply ask if she would like to leave and sit in the car with me again. never had to leave again. Sure she would need reminders.

So yeah - I'd totally stay home until they could safely walk with me - or go when it wasn't busy. One year we went the second week of January - not my favorite - but my wanderer was allowed to wander and I followed. Zero crowds made it easy. I guess we would just make different choices to not have to leash them because WE didn't like it for OUR kids. Just like WE didn't let them throw humongous fits in public. another thing i see far too much of.

I totally agree with you.

If they didn't listen we left or didn't go. If the didn't listen then the next time they didn't go. And I mean everywhere. I don't care if it was the back yard if I said stay with me they did.

 

[Suellen]

ETA: I don't think there is any one way to parent and I think we should all congratulate each other for making it through the day alive and mostly sane.

You said stay at home, not leave the situation. We leave places all of the time. Not all children understand consequences at age 2. Glad yours did but mine still haven't mastered that concept. We went to Disney 2 weeks ago. It doesn't get any less crowded. You referred to your child as a wanderer. My son doesn't wander. He runs, wide open. There is no following him around unless you wish to run aimlessly through the park. And I still maintain they won't learn anything by sitting out the house. He will outgrow it eventually. I would much prefer not to leash them but until he understands basic safety, we will do what we find necessary.

We stayed home a lot too. Stayed home and if we did go someplace and needed to leave we did.

Mostly we stayed home for things that were beyond my child's control (she projectile vomited every meal until she was over a year).

Anyway - everyone makes their own choices and has their own parenting techniques - that what makes each family so unique. They weren't for us - we used alternative methods and regardless of your child being a worse "runner" then mine there are no circumstances that I would have used a leash for my kids (I can't speak towards special needs kids because I didn't have one).

I don't judge - do what makes you comfortable - I just choose to parent different. That is my right just as much as it is your right to leash yours.

 

[WedgieSock]

My child was an explorer and would be off like a shot from the minute she could walk. I used a harness (it fitted around her chest and had a 'two-stage' leash for short or long length) and that harness ensured that my child still had the freedom to walk without any danger whatsoever. I cannot see why there would be any valid criticism about a harness whatsoever. I highly recommend them and there is no reason why they should not be used. The ones that go around their wrist, yes, as I would be worried about dislocating joints but the body harness ones that are used everywhere in Europe are perfectly fine.

Enjoy your trip

 

[damo]

For those who wouldn't use a "leash" on their kids, did those same kids sleep in a "cage", play in a "pen"?

 

[MoonFaerie]

Special needs aside - you can teach a 2 or 3 year old that it is unacceptable to run away from a parent.

Also people are talking of four year olds still using them? preschool starts at 3 ...some kids start kindergarten at 4. Are they not allowed to go on field trips? Even walking to the library or cafeteria allows for "running" here anyway.

Any who - like I originally said - don't care what someone else does - I never used one and never would - bit your kids are YOUR kids - do whatever makes you happy. I could care less as long as I don't get tripped by your runners leash.

Well yay you for being a super parent. I suck because I have a runner. Or had. He grew out of it before he started school.

We DID stay home and miss out on a lot. Not necessarily because of the running but a combination of all the special needs related stuff. You know what I regret? Missing out on doing things with my kids when they were little. What I don't regret - using a harness/leash.

How long are these leashes that people are using? I'm trying to imagine getting tripped on ours, and you'd have to be a hurdler that's all up in our personal space.

 

[WedgieSock]

I would - but I never needed to. I taught them to follow my safety instructions.

People can teach their dogs to safely walk on a sidewalk without running out in to traffic - I can certainly teach my child to walk safely with me at a theme park.

Perhaps my children were just gifted to be able to comprehend this?

They were not ( and still aren't) perfect angles by any means - but if they can't follow simple safety insteuctructions them I will certainly keep the family home until they figure it out.

I also taught my child to follow safety instructions and, for the most part, she was well-behaved however, there would be the odd occasion that her individuality & curiosity would get the better of her so I would rather be safe & prepared instead of sorry.

 

[WedgieSock]

Well yay you for being a super parent. I suck because I have a runner. Or had. He grew out of it before he started school.

We DID stay home and miss out on a lot. Not necessarily because of the running but a combination of all the special needs related stuff. You know what I regret? Missing out on doing things with my kids when they were little. What I don't regret - using a harness/leash.

How long are these leashes that people are using? I'm trying to imagine getting tripped on ours, and you'd have to be a hurdler that's all up in our personal space.

Well, we can suck together I had a runner and I used a harness - as far as I see it, I was being a responsible parent

 

[meredith1]

LMAO @ SuEllen

Why argue so much? Who cares?

Live and let live.