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

[golden1]

I saw a lot of them at WDW when we went last month. They are very common and most people won't judge you. I brought one for my ds but never used it because he was happy in the stroller.

 

[latexscooter]

Word of advice for you first time users, test it on your child before leaving for Disney. That way it's not totally unfamiliar to him/her and they will just comply like getting in and out of a stroller. We used ours a couple times before we left for our vacation and when it came time to use it as Disney it was easy as pie.

 

[disneyjunkie]

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.

I happen to agree with you about the leashes. However, none of us deserves to be bashed for doing what we think is best for our children.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

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.

I'm sorry, but NOWEHERE in the OP's post did she say anything about not letting her child lead, not being the guide, not wanting her child to walk over and check something out, or forcing the child confrm to her schedule. She wants to ensure her child's safety, that's all. If using a harness gives her added (note: ADDED, not replacement) protection, then there is nothing wrong with using it. Using a harness does NOT "take away their autonomy" or the ability to "glimpse into their little minds." It gives an extra (again, please note: EXTRA, not replacement) measure of safety, that's all. I'm wondering...did you ever use a stroller for your toddlers? Because the "issues" you raise seems to preclude even the use of one of those as well.

And, perhaps it is simply a matter of perception, but last October we saw lots of people using them. OP - please don't let people like this discourage you from keeping your child safe.

 

[surfgirl]

This thread has done an excellent job of not turning nasty... yet! There are those strongly against it and those who wouldn't dream of not using it. Terrific! We all have different parenting styles and no one is right nor wrong - just right or wrong for YOUR family. Please... let's keep this civil.

I think there is also some great advice about how to use them:
- test them before you go => practice is great for the kid and the adult
- don't use it as a replacement for paying attention, use it as an extra measure of safety
- watch your child - don't tug on their arm, etc. and pull them backwards
- don't let them 'run free' and have the strap part (I tried to avoid 'leash' since that inflames some!) between you and other adults, wrapped around others, lampposts, etc.

Personally, I would think in a large crowd (think parade time, entry, etc.) that it would be hard to use - I'd rather have a hand or a stroller. I'd be afraid of becoming twisted/wrapped around others. However, in the 'open' areas - the lands, etc. where you can walk more freely, I could see the benefits.

So... be smart, use your brain about situations, you'll do great!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

...
- don't use it as a replacement for paying attention, use it as an extra measure of safety...
...Personally, I would think in a large crowd (think parade time, entry, etc.) that it would be hard to use - I'd rather have a hand or a stroller. I'd be afraid of becoming twisted/wrapped around others...

This is great advice...we always used ours just as extra protection only. Even while wearing the harness, we still held DS's hand just as we always did (and still do in crowds!). But, if we let go for a moment (i.e., to let him look at and touch something that caught his interest) we knew that, even if he decided to "make a run for it" he couldn't get far. Especially in a crowd where a 2-year old can scoot through much easier than mommy or daddy!

 

[NotUrsula]

... I would think in a large crowd (think parade time, entry, etc.) that it would be hard to use - I'd rather have a hand or a stroller. I'd be afraid of becoming twisted/wrapped around others.

This tends to be a problem with reins sold in the US, that is not an issue with those sold in countries where they are routinely used for nearly all children.

The safest design to avoid this problem has the rein part designed as a loop, the ends of which clip to the harness just behind the child's armpits. When left to dangle as a length check, the loop end of the rein should fall no lower than midway down the child's calves -- it absolutely should not be long enough to touch the ground. A rein of this length allows a parent to hold the rein loop down at his/her side with a maximum of about 24 inches between the parent's hand and the child's back. The length of the rein should be adjusted to fit the height of the child and the height of the parent.

 

[CindeBella]

Coming from someone that ate at the Imo's pizza where the manager kidnapped the little boys, one 4 1/2 years ago and the other last Monday, there are weirdo's everywhere! It makes me sick to think that insane pedophile made our pizza!

Keep your kids close, keep them as safe as you can and love them.

 

[slo]

I have not read all the other posts (sorry, I know alot of you hate hearing that).



When someone is thinking of their child's safety, than you are not a bad parent. I know many people don't like the leashes, but I used one with my oldest DD, and it helped keep her from running off and getting lost, hurt, stolen, etc.

Many people gave me dirty looks, but I knew that what I was doing was best for my DD. Her leash was on the end of a fanny pack, that she wore around her waist, and in her mind, she had a purse just like mommy.

You know what's best for your son - if a leash is what's best, than I say go for it!!!!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

im sorry i did not get to read all of this either, but let me tell you...........i would def. use the harness thing that you are thinking. it is so crowded....seriously i have a 8 month old grandson now, and if when he was at that age, i think we would use something like that if we wanted or if we had to. please do what you have to for your children

 

[mjantz]

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.

Do you strap your children in carseats a/o have them wear their seat belts? Do you put them in diapers or a coat even when they don't want to wear them? If they try & run out into the street, do you stop them a/o go out into the street to get them or just try & get them to come back to you via non-forceful means? If you do, then you are 'taking away their automomy'.
They are children & they don't always make the best decisions. As a child care worker, I've seen children raised with little to no restrictions & I can tell you that as they age, their lives are miserable because sooner or later (usually elementary school) they will be confronted with rules & restrictions & they can't handle it & they stay in trouble.

My DS wore a harness on a trip to the Seattle Zoo. It gave him the autonomy to go right up to the glass, walk with his cousins & feel like a 'big boy'. I treasure the memories of him tottling along, pressing his face to the glass & giggling with his cousins.