I'm not a bad parent am I....?

[Tiger926]

It saddens me that as a parent you are worrying about being classified as a 'bad' parent because you are considering a safety harness for your child. It really bothers me that on this board, and other boards I belong to that people feel the need to make crass and crude comments about safety harnesses - I wonder if these are the same parents who let their kids wear Heely's (which are NOT allowed in WDW), don't have their kids in proper car seats, etc. As long as you are using the harness correctly (I would recommend the chest harness as the arm/wrist harnesses are very dangerous), then your first priority needs to be your child.

Our DD3 has been to WDW numerous times in her short life and is very well behaved, but due to ignorant adults who feel the need to step on her, push her or shove her, we use a harness at times as it gives us and her a feeling of extra safety. Honestly, adults who comment on this really are rude and have no business making such comments - there are a million comments I could make about the kids I see in my classes (I am a teacher) or the absolute animals I see running around the parks, but I keep my comments to myself. In this case, you are wanting your child to be extra safe, so I applaud you for doing so!

Good luck, Tiger

 

[HelenePA]

Have fun and do some research about that backpack with a tail to hold onto....I may try to find one of those.... We booked during the school year so hopefully it won't be a mad house.....We can't wait......

C.

here are the monkey/dog backpack harnesses

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...2/601-5882459-8529768?ie=UTF8&asin=B000EBITU8


its our job to keep em safe anyway we can! Who cares what others think.

 

[diz8297]

As the mother of two boys, I totally understand why you would want to have one. I never needed them because they looooooooved the strollers-hey, why walk when you can ride?? But do whatever you need to do to keep your little guy safe! And have a wonderful time!! It goes by waaaaaaaay too fast!!

 

[Us3]

We heard about the monkey/puppy harness and bought one for our last trip for our 2yo dd. She LOVED her puppy "backpack" and asked us to hold the tail so she felt safe. It did come in handy and we are glad we used it. I've only used it at Disney and not the mall or anywhere else. We did have several people say, "ah, look at that puppy on her back, cute!" I guess it takes away from the fact that it is a harness, ha!

Take care,
Sonya

 

[disneymomof6]

I guess I was never a parent that saw the "leashes" as being anything but what its meant for which is to keep your child safe.... afterall cant everything used on a infant/toddler be construed to mean similar? cant a play pen be compared to a cage? I have had a couple kids that when I put them in their play pen Id say... time to cage you in..... as a mom with a small herd I say.... every kid if different... some kids dont need some things and others do... unless you have parented every type of personality there is then dont make a judgement against parents that use them....

I agree with the poster that said... if you feel as though its best for you then WHO CARES what others think.... I have had people make rude comments to me and I stop, look at them and ask them to explain themselves.... they usually cant and I would hope that maybe they resist making it when the next parent comes around the corner with a child wearing one. The one problem with using them at WDW I see is that there are so many people congested into one area and walking with a small one and a "rope" between you... isnt always seen and people have bumped into it and knocked the child down.... Your child doesnt like strollers... one of mine didnt either BUT while at WDW... he was just fine because of all the people and goings on.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We heard about the monkey/puppy harness and bought one for our last trip for our 2yo dd. She LOVED her puppy "backpack" and asked us to hold the tail so she felt safe. It did come in handy and we are glad we used it. I've only used it at Disney and not the mall or anywhere else. We did have several people say, "ah, look at that puppy on her back, cute!" I guess it takes away from the fact that it is a harness, ha!

Take care,
Sonya

We just got back from WDW with a 2 year old and we so lots and lots of young kids in those stuffed animal back packs. Most seemed to like them, and many weren't always using the harness part, but like the stuffed animal. So it was there when the parents needed it, not when they didn't.

I have been lucky I have never felt the need to use them with my kids (they like to stick very close to me.) But if I ever did I think they are the safe way to go. I didn't see anyone giving any kids or parents bad looks, but you won't stand out at all.

I did have to use something like that about 12 years ago when I worked for foster care and had child who was a runner. It made going out in puplic possible. With out it, it just wasn't safe.

 

[Nanu57v]

I got mine off of amazon, but they sell cute ones at Wal-mart, too. They both look like an animal with a long tail. I got it too for piece of mind, but found out DD was too determined in it. She would throw herself on the ground when she couldn't go or start running around us in circles. This was in the airport on the way down! We used it a couple times at WDW for a few minutes, but mostly we just held her, or her hand, or put her in the stroller.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I wish I could still put one on my 4 y.o. I used a harness/leash when he was 2, but he would just get mad when I put it on him and sitdown and cry. So much for the harness. The stroller worked better. He got to ride, I knew exactly where he was and if he threw a fit he was still mobile.

 

[feet1]

I wouldn't worry what anyone else thinks. It for your child's safety. But I have to say that there is a ton of walking to do and your tot might get tired from it all and end up in a stroller. we went last year when my dd was almost 3, my other dd was almost 4 and my ds was 5. we rented 2 strollers, the youngest was int eh stroller the whole time (and she too is the type to walk in the grocery store) and my other 2 took turns, when one got tired, the other got out to walk and give the other a rest. my 5yo complained the most about being tired. I just know it's alot of walking for those little legs

 

[latexscooter]

You are not a bad parent! I bought one that had the vest harness and wrist harness (you could choose which one you wanted to use) when we took DD to WDW when she was 2. We only used it a couple times around parades, etc. but I don't regret the decision. Ultimately you are responsible for your childs safety and you only have one shot at it. It's better to be safe than filled with regret. People who give you strange looks aren't raising your kid so don't give them the power to make you feel bad.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

here are the monkey/dog backpack harnesses

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...2/601-5882459-8529768?ie=UTF8&asin=B000EBITU8


its our job to keep em safe anyway we can! Who cares what others think.

As the father of a very active and curious almost 2 year old I can say I understand and would not go anywhere without our "dog" (see the link above.) For our son it is the perfect option and at this point when he wants out of the stroller he grabs for it himself.

As for being a bad parent - as long as you are doing what is best for your child who cares what other think! Have a wonderful trip !!!!

 

[Whosemom]

Serioiusly, I think we hear such strong opinions here on this board, it can make us wonder, but in reality, when we used ours, the only people to say anything said "cool, wish we had those when ours were little"

 

[NotSoNewMommy]

I am so happy to see this post. As the mother of a VERY inquisitive and FAST 19 month old boy, I know exactly how you feel. We have the monkey backpack harness and although I haven't used it yet, we plan to take it with us to Disney in 2 weeks and I will use it without hesitation. My son simply will NOT stay by my side. He runs at the first chance he gets. He would run into a crowd or a crowded street full of moving vehicles if he had the opportunity. My son does like his stroller, but I also like him to get some exercise and have the freedom to walk around if he wants to. The harness will definitely come in handy. He loves his monkey backpack. He has worn it several times (without the leash) and is quite happy with it. Good luck and have a GREAT trip!!

 

[HelenePA]

Ya know I think people would say your a "bad mom" if you let him run around freely or even worse if lost your child at WDW (or any place else!)... I dont think anyone should think of anyone using the harness as "bad parent's"!

 

[Juliet25]

My DD was an incredibly inquisitive and active toddler. I can only imagine what it would have been like in WDW had I taken her.

Use the leash if you think your son needs it. I, too, thought they were horrible -- until I had a DD who found it incredibly funny to run away from mommy as fast as her little legs could take her. I never actually used a leash, but I definetely considered it.

I've seen some that you can tie around your and your child's wrist. Perhaps that might be a good option?

At any rate, you're not a bad parent for considering using something that is designed to ensure your son's safety.

 

[dopeyears]

Thanks to everyone for their posts. I never really thought I was a bad parent, I think I just wanted to see first if anyone else had ever used them and secondly what type of reaction you had from both other adults and you child. I know my DS will wear himself out and we will need the stroller, but he is so active I can't see forcing him to sit when he can walk with mommy and daddy. The only other concern I have is that he loves both dogs and monkeys, and might want to turn the backpack around, and he'll never see the sites to behold in WDW! HA! HA! Thanks again to everyone that replied!
We will have a magical and safe trip!

 

[my4kids]

I don't like them. However, they do have their place. I'd keep one in my purse for use when a child has to walk, or be out of the stroller, and you are not able to hold hands. I think there are times when they are needed. (I lost my child in a crowd once for a few minutes when he was 2 - It felt like a few days though, until I found him. - I was carrying our lunch tray and he was following me to our table and I could not hold his hand. He followed me most of the way, but then took off to look at something) Hwever, I think some overuse them. I don't hook mine up unless I can't possible hold hands or stap them in a stroller. I hate walking past familes sitting on a bench resting and the kid is walking at the full extent of the leash pulling away from it like a dog and the parents are just watching them and glad that they are "tied up" I don't see it often, but I still see it.

 

[daisymommy]

We went to Disney last Easter with our then 2.5-year-old and did not use a leash to contain her. We let her be the guide - as she should be - and walked with her. I now have two children and would never consider a leash or harness to take my place. If your kid wants to run over to check something out then walk with them. You're going to Disney to allow your child to stretch their imagination, so don't try to conform him/her/them to your schedule. It doesn't hurt to let them lead for a while. It's not that tough to keep track of your kid and millions of people manage to do it without using leashes. This will be my tenth time to Disney and I don't see a lot of people leashes. Just keep up with your kid and all of you will have a safe and fun time. Think of it this way...through whose eyes do you want your child to see Disney? Yours or theirs? Put them on a leash and you take away their automomy and your pleasure at the glimpse into their little minds.

 

[KerriSue]

Dont think of it as a toddler harness, think of it as a parent harness. This way you wont be a lost mommy.

 

[Cory's Gal]

We leave on Saturday and we have a VERY active 2 year old. I went to Target and bought one. The reason for it is for my son's safety, bottom line. BTW, he loves to wear his "puppy backpack" all around the house. It also can hold a couple of small trucks! I think it was well worth the ten bucks!