Kid Harness

[Tigger714]

We will be leaving for DW next week and have three charming and energetic boys. DS 9 can handle himself and DS 9 mos will just lounge in the stroller. My concern is DS 22 mos. He loves to be out and about and sometimes trying to contain him only results in a tantrum. Has anyone used the kid harnesses? Do they work? Or will I just look like an awful Mom? I know I'm gonna get flamed, but I guess I'm asking anyways!

 

[Disney Fool]

I'm not gonna flame you! I'm gonna commend you --yes! for being a concerned Mom. Thank goodness! I've been to WDW over 45 times, and believe me, I've seen it all--including those tykes who wander a bit too far off the pier while their parents are busy doing something else. Boat docks, monorail platforms, some rides, rafts to Tom Sawyer's island, and other places present potential problems for little ones who are adventurous. And yes, I've seen harnesses, I've seen the wrist kind too (they look like a telephone spiral that tethers you to the child --and I think they sell them at Disney.) Do whatever makes you feel comfortable in keeping your child safe.

 

[disneychickforever]

where can you get the harnesses though? my mom wants to use a dog leash for my sister.......I'm not saying she thinks she is a dog, and it is a good idea...hook it to the belt loops maybe?

Tell me how'd you feel seeing an 8 year old on a dog leash?

 

[salmoneous]

Kid harnesses are great. I wish more parents would use them for kids where it would be helpful. Much better than having a rid running lose into people or, worse, getting lost.

Yes, there is a small group of DISers who will look down on you for using one. Ignore them and do what is best for your kid.

 

[Tigger714]

where can you get the harnesses though? my mom wants to use a dog leash for my sister.......I'm not saying she thinks she is a dog, and it is a good idea...hook it to the belt loops maybe?

Tell me how'd you feel seeing an 8 year old on a dog leash?

I found several on ebay. I searched under child harness.

 

[IandGsmom]

I think you should do whatever is best for you and your family. It really doesnt matter what other think. I dont understand the people who think they are so much better than other just becasue they choose differently.

 

[tammyandtommy]

http://www.kustommemories.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=8

I saw alot of these being used on me recent trip. While my children are older and I dont need these, when they were younger I used a leash at local amusement parks, I told them its so that I dont get lost, that they needed to make sure they didnt lose me. It worked well, I have not lost a child yet, and I have a husband who I cant seem to shake! LOL

 

[haleofafamily]

We took our five children all under eight and for the two and three year old we used harnesses. We found them at Wal-Mart in the infant section for about $5. These are the harnesses that go over the shoulders and chest. Our kids loved them and it was easy to hook the handle to the stroller. The kids felt like they had freedom and we knew they were safe. I always wonder what people think, but the only comments we received were positive.

 

[Tigger714]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for those affirmations! I'm off to Wal-Mart to purchase the Monkey Back Pack one, think that will make him really happy, not to mention save me some stress!

 

[disneychickforever]

http://www.kustommemories.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=8

I saw alot of these being used on me recent trip. While my children are older and I dont need these, when they were younger I used a leash at local amusement parks, I told them its so that I dont get lost, that they needed to make sure they didnt lose me. It worked well, I have not lost a child yet, and I have a husband who I cant seem to shake! LOL

I think my sister would like that, but it says up to 4 years....do you think a small 8 year old could still get away with it?

 

[momofprincess]

where can you get the harnesses though? my mom wants to use a dog leash for my sister.......I'm not saying she thinks she is a dog, and it is a good idea...hook it to the belt loops maybe?

Tell me how'd you feel seeing an 8 year old on a dog leash?

I think an 8 year old should be old enough to understand "stay with me."
Don't get me wrong, I don't think a harness is a bad idea for children. My mother used one with my brother when he was little (in the 70s) and I've used the hand/wrist thingy when my DDs were little.
I try to be diligent and remember that the little ones like to linger and look at stuff too. If I need to do some shopping by myself or want to linger in a store, DH and I do the kid swap.

 

[Bill From PA]

This experience goes back to the Eisenhower Administration, but I can actually remember being tethered to one of these by my dear mother on our Sat. shopping excursions. I enjoyed the limited freedom and mom enjoyed the fact that I was no longer in a position to knock the wind out of her by suddenly slamming on the baby carriage brake, somethng I did whenever a bauble caught my eye. As you can see, the harness did not prevent me from ending up a model citizen.

Bill From PA

 

[Disney Fool]

Yeah, Bill, I hear ya. I had one also. It was pink with little bells on it. It didn't do me any harm, either!!! At least, I don't think so. At any rate, we're still here.

 

[Mo-Yo]

I agree. To give your little one some freedom and keep him safe a harness is a great choice.

That said...I understand why you asked the question. It still sort of startles me when I see a kid on a lease.

 

[cybrkitn]

There was a topic on one of the other boards on this a while ago and unfortunately, it did get very heated. There will always be debates on this issue. But don't worry, I won't flame you

I'm not going to say where I stand on this because either way might get me flamed. So I'm going to try and put this in such a way as not to feed the flames.

You know your children better than anyone else and everyone's parenting skills are different. If you feel the need to use a child harness for your child, then go ahead. You and your DH are the only ones that can make the decision that is right for you. No one else can.

Try not to worry about what others think. I know it's hard to do. I've been trying to do that for a different situation and it is difficult.

 

[TravelMom]

I used a wrist harness when my kids were little (in airports, etc, never took them to WDW until they were about 6) - they are great - but I would question a harness on an eight year old. I think you WOULD get a lot of angry looks, especially if the child was on a dog leash. JMHO!

Why do you worry that the eight year old will wander - does she have special needs? In that case, I would invest in a proper harness, not a dog leash - but if the child in question does not have special needs, I would advocate discussing the need to stay near, practicing at the mall a few times, and daily reminders while at WDW.

 

[disneychickforever]

my sister is ADHD, but also decides that she doesn't have to listen to anyone. If she doesn't get her way, she won't hold anyone's hand, and tends to run off.... We have tried practicing in malls, and my mom even threatened her not going. She just isn't very disiplined..

Keep in mind, my mom wants her on the leash, not me. When she doesn't listen to me, I pick her and treat her like a little kid until she decides to act her age...

I know, I'm only the sister....thing is, mom works nights, so she listens to me a tad more than her....it's really upsetting...my will yell at her to do something, and gives up, I tell her to do something, she doesn't do it, I take something away for a day, the next time, she does it the first time I ask....

Anywho, I know I might got extreme flaming for mothering my sister....but thats what has to be done in my family....my parents don't discipline her at all, and I am usually the one taking care of her...that's just the way it is...

 

[Lynne M]

Use the harness, use the dog leash, use whatever you need to keep your child (or sister) safe. It's not anyone else's business.

Honestly, at a quick glance, I don't know if I'd be able to tell the difference between a harness and a dog leash.

 

[WillCAD]

I need to preface my opinions by stating clearly that I don't have kids.

That being said, I do have LOTS of experience with kids - brother, cousins, neices and nephews, etc. I've spent more time caring for kids than some parents I know!

I think kid harnesses are a great idea, within certain limitations. They give the kids the ability to walk on their own feet and allow the parents the freedom from having to carry the kid constantly, but they also keep the kid in a confined space, which reduces the possibility that the kid can get lost or get into mischeif.

There are some limits to these devices, however. The type that hook to a kid's wrist are a disaster in teh making, IMHO. It's so common for a kid to take off running at full speed while on the leash, and when they get to the end of it, the wrist attachment can spin them around dangerously. Belt hooks are a little better, but the type that fits comfortably with a full harness seem to be the most comfy for the kid and the safest.

I also think that these harnesses should have a limited age range. I agree with momofprincess that 8 seems a bit old for the leash (not including those with developmental disabilities, of course), and I think a toddler who has just learned to walk is a bit young to walk around WDW, even on a leash. But that's just me.

Overall, I NEVER think of a parent who wants to protect their kid while still allowing the kid to enjoy a place like WDW is a "bad mom". In fact, I think those are the BEST moms!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

While I agree that a harness might be a wise choice for your child, I would recommend that you also provide him with a stroller seat. 22mos is far too young to have to walk the World all day, IMHO.
The more you can encourage him to have a seat, the longer he'll last, and not just the first day, but the rest of the trip. I'd also encourage you to carry a printed photo of him, and consider putting his name, phone number, etc. on a tag inside his clothes. WDW is quite safe, but I still think it's a good idea with any small child.

And please, when he is a little older, have him memorize his address and phone number. I have been floored by the number of MIDDLE school kids who are unable to recite this information!