Just a question, not a debate, about child harnesses =)

[teag_98]

Ok, I do not want to start another debate about harnesses....I've chosen to use one so if you don't agree, please move on with my blessings

That said, let me give you some background. We're from a very small village in Nova Scotia, Canada, and have lived on a very small island in the Caribbean for the last 12 years. In short, we are obviously not used to large crowds of people!

Going to WDW the last week in June (first time in an amusement park, let alone WDW )with DH, DS (9) and DD (3, will be 4 in July)....and now, to get to my question....is my daughter too old for a harness?? Obviously I've never needed to use one and I have no idea what's what as far as that goes...she's well behaved and actually pretty timid, so I'm pretty sure she won't take off from me, but I need the peace of mind. Can you imagine us green country-bumpkins exiting, say, Fantasmic after the show, where I read that as many as 30,000 are exiting at the same time??

What do you guys think? Am I being too cautious...is there such a thing?

 

[delmar411]

I think she'd be ok really. But take one with you for peace of mind. Make sure she understands that if you do feel the need to use it, it's not for punishment but for her safety. Did you see the cute purse one that someone posted on another thread? She might find that to be better than a standard harness.

 

[tjlovespooh]

We went last May with our DS (he was 17mo at the time). I bought a harness "just in case" we needed it (he's a very active little boy). Luckily I never even had to take it out of the package! He refused to ride in the stroller but he was content to hold our hands.
I'd say you likely won't need but if you do bring one you know you can use it if required.
Also, we applied tottoos to DS's arm each day before leaving for the parks - that also helped give us peace of mind in case we somehow got separated. I plan to use them for all future public outings Here's a link: http://www.tottoos.org/

 

[Magic Mom]

I think if she is well behaved, then she would be fine without one. Just make sure you set the ground rules ahead of time. No wandering/run off, holding hands etc. On the flip side, let her know you are willing to take her over to see what she wants (toys in the gift shop....the one-legged seagull eating the stolen turkey leg....the eight millionth flower...etc) as long as she is following the rules and asking to go instead of running off. My 4YO did just fine.

 

[Glenna74]

My initial thought is that yes, unless she's autistic or has a habit of running or wandering off, she's probably too old for a harness. That said, if you'll be a worried wreck without one, why not get one of the cute backpacks for kids with a strap that you can hold?

I'm planning to bring a stroller in June for my DS (age barely 4), partly to keep him from wandering off. He's never (even as an infant) tolerated any kind of strap or harness. I couldn't even get him into a baby swing or high chair until I removed the harness.

 

[pixeegrl]

I would vote for an umbrella stroller. It's small and lightweight and more than likely all that walking will tire out any 4 year old as well as you guys since you will probably be carrying her every once in a while! LOL!

 

[canadianmom2three]

I understand where you are coming from, we are from a small town too, and our DS4 is the opposite of well behaved - he is a bit of a handful! We were very concerned before our August trip last year, but to be honest, I was concerned for nothing. The crowds are heavy, but we held hands, DS always had DH or my hand, and also our DD8, and we kept a close eye on the 10 yo. It was fine, I also prepped the kids very well on what I wanted them to do should we become seperated, and they wore ID bracelets too.

 

[chickie]

When my dd was 3 1/2, we made our first trek to the World with my dh's family. I brought along one of those things that just attaches with velcro to my dd's wrist and my wrist. We only used it one time. It was at night at EPCOT, and dd was a little rambunctious (sp?). It worked out fine, but most of the time we had enough family members to keep her corralled and entertained.

 

[dfarner]

Ok, I do not want to start another debate about harnesses....I've chosen to use one so if you don't agree, please move on with my blessings

That said, let me give you some background. We're from a very small village in Nova Scotia, Canada, and have lived on a very small island in the Caribbean for the last 12 years. In short, we are obviously not used to large crowds of people!

Going to WDW the last week in June (first time in an amusement park, let alone WDW )with DH, DS (9) and DD (3, will be 4 in July)....and now, to get to my question....is my daughter too old for a harness?? Obviously I've never needed to use one and I have no idea what's what as far as that goes...she's well behaved and actually pretty timid, so I'm pretty sure she won't take off from me, but I need the peace of mind. Can you imagine us green country-bumpkins exiting, say, Fantasmic after the show, where I read that as many as 30,000 are exiting at the same time??

What do you guys think? Am I being too cautious...is there such a thing?

If you decide not to bring one and find that you need it, I have seen the simple wrist harness for sale in the baby care centers. I think you'll be fine without one.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I can understand your concerns. Personally I use a harness for my DD and think they can serve a real purpose as far as safety is concerned for small children.

At 4 I would be tempted to stay away from the full harnesses. They are really meant for younger children.

But as others have said you could go for one that is attached to a little purse http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2815284

or a wrist strap.

You could use these as needed.

But my advice would be also to get a stroller or take yours with you. When it is very busy it is the best place for children to be. Also there is a lot of walking and they get tired very quickly. I don't think you are really prepared for the distance you walk till you get there. She could hop in and out as she pleases and you know she will be safe.

You will see lots of people with older children in strollers so she won't feel like she is too old or anything. Then you would have the strap in case she would like to walk.

One thing we also did with our child was to explain to them in detail what to do if they can't find us. As soon as we got to the park we showed her how to identify a cast member by their badge. She knows these are the people to find. She knows she will find them in front of all the rides and in the stores. We also told her to stand very still and shout on us. That way we could find her easily. if you have a plan in place then it does help you to relax a bit. I also like the idea of having contact details on your child. I have seen the little ID bracelets that you write on and also little tags which attach tot he childs laces.


Overall though I am sure you will have a fantastic trip and you won't feel worried when you are there. Just take it easy and don't rush with the crowd. If getting out of fantasmic worries you - sit in your seat and let everyone go out before you. That way you can get out in your own time.

have fun

Lx

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

we use a harness for dd2, also used it for dd #1 on our first trip, she was 3 3/4 yrs old. We had both stroller and harness. But my DDs are runners, DS on the other hand .. never left our side.

 

[Aristomommy]

If she is he type of child to hold your hand without any trouble, I wouldn't get a harness. Or if you think that you may need that to keep her close, then get a wrist one. I think the ones to go around the waist are more for kids who dash without warning (2 year olds) and the harness gives them a little freedom. I'm sure it will be a big change for your family to be in the crowds, but as long as you tell the kids to look for an adult CM, have them show the CM your phone number/name/hotel (I usually write it with a marker on their hand or leg) and for the older ones designate a meeting place, you should be fine.

 

[stacy6552]

We used one at Disney when the boys were toddlers and could and did easily dart through crowds quicker than we could. But I think by the time they were both 4 we didnt use it anymore. Now when our oldest was 6, we used this thing I got from JCPenny, I think Fisher Price made it, that was like an electronic tether. We both wore these beeper looking things that would go off if they got too far apart or could be set off if I needed to look for him, but we never needed it.

 

[ZeroMyHero]

I'll agree with a PP and say that unless she is special needs and has a tendency to wander off, 4 is too old for a body harness. I'd get one of those wrist tethers another PP mentioned or an umbrella stroller. And I totally understand your worry. I live in a big city and I'm worried about losing my DD in a crowd, too. She holds DH's or my hand or she rides in the stroller while at WDW - no other options!

 

[of2dbeach]

[/B]

Ok, I do not want to start another debate about harnesses....I've chosen to use one so if you don't agree, please move on with my blessings

That said, let me give you some background. We're from a very small village in Nova Scotia, Canada, and have lived on a very small island in the Caribbean for the last 12 years. In short, we are obviously not used to large crowds of people!

Going to WDW the last week in June (first time in an amusement park, let alone WDW )with DH, DS (9) and DD (3, will be 4 in July)....and now, to get to my question....is my daughter too old for a harness?? Obviously I've never needed to use one and I have no idea what's what as far as that goes...she's well behaved and actually pretty timid, so I'm pretty sure she won't take off from me, but I need the peace of mind. Can you imagine us green country-bumpkins exiting, say, Fantasmic after the show, where I read that as many as 30,000 are exiting at the same time??

What do you guys think? Am I being too cautious...is there such a thing?

I dont think you can ever be too careful as far as kids are concerned . A few things came to mind when i read your post though> here we have rubber type bracelets that are thick if you turn then inside out you can write your cell phone numbers on it and the child can wear it as a bracelet. then if they get lost they can take it off and show a cast memeber the bracelet. i know here at Walmart ( i live in Florida )they have child size animal or character backpacks that have a harness to them ( there REALLY cute !) your child can also put little trinkets in it seeing it is actualy a small backpack too. the only drawback i have found with using a harness in large crouds is that especialy at DW that crowds are unfogivng and you would be better tossing her in a stroller quickly after the parade then trying to unwind her from someone elses legs or a light pole etc.. if its an open space id let her walk but otherwise she might get squashed in the masses. not sure if you already bought the harness or not but I am willing to look for the ones i described here if interested.. Let me know.. have a great trip , you will all be just fine

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I see nothing wrong with using a harness - but I think a stroller might be your best bet....it will keep your child from being stepped on in a crowd.

 

[nyprincess]

I don't think you can ever be too careful where your child's safety is concerned. I hate to be the one to put bad thoughts into parent's head, but there are some crazy, sick people out there and those people go to theme parks too just waiting for kids to become separated from their parents. We have a double stroller that is a pain in the butt, but we also take the doggy backpack harness, just in case. My SIL gave it to us and I swore I would never use it. Ha, ha, ha. I use it all the time. Whenever he has it on, I feel secure even though he sticks really close, even holding one of our hands for the most part.

 

[all4fun]

I don't think there's a magical age where kids are too old for one, it's one of those things that only the parent can decide what they need and are comfortable with. Having said that, we only used ours between the time ds was 2-3 yrs old, and I definitely classified him as a "runner" who hated hand holding with a passion. He could run under the rails, ropes, and chains they separate the queues with faster than we could dare to follow so the harness was especially essential in those situations. He rarely even tried to run when he had it on so it made our time there better for everyone. You don't sound like you'll have that particular issue though... You could just bring one along so you have it if you need it. You may find that it's not needed at all though. DS did outgrow his "running phase" and with two adults watching one child, I am not too worried about losing him in a crowd now. Also if you're worried about 30,000 people exiting a parade or fireworks show at the same time, just sit down and relax for a little bit and wait for the crowd to clear then it won't be so bad.

hth!

 

[Livin4DisneyTime]

I just had to post and tell you how BRAVE I think you are for tackeling WDW as your first amusement park experience. I hooted when I read the small places you are from and now WDW! Whew Good Job for preparing yourself At least you are used to the weather.
The last time we were at Disney my DS was 7 and there were 3 adults to watch over him. There were still times, not many but a few where we turned around and said "where did he go?" Anything for safety is a GOOD IDEA!

 

[mandynee22]

You might want to bring one just in case but for a child that age, she probably wouldn't need it. At 3, they're usually tall enough to hold a hand without losing all feeling in their arm from holding it above the head. Especially if she's timid anyway, she probably wouldn't just jet off.
That said- you know your kid- and it's true- you never can be too careful