Kid Harness

[Tigger714]

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!

Thanks for the tips! Yes, we are taking a double stroller, I just wanted to allow him the choice to walk. I also have inserted our name, resort, etc in to a Kid ID tag that is worn inside his clothes. THanks for the printed photo tip, I would have never thought of that!

And just to clarify, my son has been walking since he was 12 months old so he can keep up with the best of us when he wants to!

 

[Mono~rail]

I bought the monkey backpack harnesses for our girls, but all we ended up using them for was pillows and dolls! For our girls, it was a bigger pain to use the leash than to just hold their hands. It gave them too much freedom and they were wrapping the tail around poles and bench legs and our legs. I also realize that all children are different and this was simply our experience attempting to use harnesses.

I don't think there is a darn thing wrong with using harnesses. I certainly don't think any less of parents who use them. The use of harnesses goes back several generations. I know I've seen pics of my mom and her brothers with harnesses on and they are in their 60's!

 

[Wishes]

I think it's a great idea! We always thought we'd never use a harness on our kids until we were at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago when our daughter was 15 months old without a stroller and I went into every gift shop there begging for a child harness! Little ones don't understand they need to stay with you. They see something and they just take off. If they get lost they may be too scared to tell someone their name. If my kids were still little I would definitely use one. So many of them are so cute - shaped like little teddy bears clinging to their backs and such! You will feel so good having it and you can always make the decision not to use it if you think your child is ok.

 

[Tiffer]

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.

I used to see the full harnes on kids and think it wsas awful, until I brought my toddler to WDW! LOL.

My DM insisted that we put a wrist strap, I called it a leash, on DD 4 and thankfully we did.

I don't hink I would use it at age 8, unless it was a special needs child or it was necessary for some other reasons.

You are the parent, you make the call, that's just my $.02

 

[mickeymousemom]

I just bought the Monkey backpack with the leash at Walmart to take with us on our trip next week. We have a 3 yo who's been walking since she was about 10 months old and doesn't like the stroller much. We will either take the umbrella stroller to the parks or rent one, but she won't use it much. We've taken a couple of quick trips down with her this past year and she walked, and walked, and walked, and .......she rarely sat. It wore me out. I'm 40 years old and have raised two other girls(12 and 17) so I could care less about getting flamed for making sure my active 3 yo is safe in a huge park with lots of people. Getting lost can happen. No one is immune to it, nor is anyone's child. All it takes is a SPLIT second and they're gone. My DD loves the new backpack and if we're walking around the resort I won't use it. But I do have the option of taking the tail off if I think it's okay.
So...now that you asked the question, you have become a member of the Not-So-Perfect Parenting Club. I am a proud card carrying member! I have no problem admitting that I don't parent well enough to make my toddler/preschooler understand that, under NO circumstances, is she to leave my side or let loose of my hand for even a second. How hard can it be to make a little one understand that they shouldn't let loud, colorful things grab their attention? And we all know how easy it is to tell a 2 or 3 yo that they need help...there is NO doing it on their own. I'm just too lazy to explain it to them.


Now, really...you go grab one of them there Monkey or Doggie backpacks, keep your little one safe, and have a worry free trip!

 

[Tigger714]

So...now that you asked the question, you have become a member of the Not-So-Perfect Parenting Club. I am a proud card carrying member!

I've always wanted to be in a club!!!!

You think it's a hoosier thing? hehe! Right here next to you in Fort Wayne

 

[WillCAD]

Now, really...you go grab one of them there Monkey or Doggie backpacks, keep your little one safe, and have a worry free trip!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I have also seen those leash backpacks in Disney characters - Pooh, Piglet, Mickey and Minnie. Just the thing (if I'm not imagining it) for the active 3-year old at WDW.

 

[Tink n Poohbear]

We got a little fanny pack for our ds when he was 2, and attached the lead to that anytime he was out of his stroller. He thought he was big stuff wearing the fanny pack, and I don't think he ever noticed he was attached to us. I'm so grateful we had it though. He headed into a resort store before we had unpacked it, so he was just holding my hand. In a split second, he wiggled out of my hand and took off. Since he's so little, he was able to run under things and around people MUCH quicker than I was able to. I can't even imagine if that had happened at the parks - he could have gotten pretty far by the time I was able to catch him.

I don't care what people think. I'd much rather get dirty looks than to lose my child. When we go back in Dec, he'll be 4 1/2, so he won't need one, but you can bet I"ll be using them for my 2 yr old twin daughters! Can you imaine them running in opposite directions?!?

 

[ToTLaugher]

We are trying a child locator device on this trip. The child has an electronic teddy bear attatched to a shoe and the parent has a transmitter on a key chain. If you lose sight of your child you push the button and the receiver on the shoe lets out a beeping from up to 150 ft away. My DS2 is pretty good about staying will us and listening, but I wanted some extra security just in case.

We have used 2 way radios with our older girls. They wore them on their belt loops always turned on so that if one should get lost we could use it to find them or they could call us on it. My son is just to young to be able to work something like that.

The only reason I haven't used a harness vest is because I was afraid the cord might cause tripping (of others who aren't paying attention or of the child if the cord gets wrapped around an obstacle) when it was stretched out. Has anyone ever had a problem with this?

 

[kawaba]

Have some respect for your children, please do not treat them like the family dog. If your child requires your full attention then it is your job as a parent to provide it.

 

[Kat in GA]

Here is a picture of me (October, 1971) on our first trip to Disney world -- with my leash

My children are old enough now not to need one -- but on our trip in September, I encouraged my cousin to get one for her 19 month old daugther. They got her the dog one from Walmart -- and she loves it so much, she cries when they take it off.

If it gives you peace of mind -- and gives your son a little freedom, by all means do it!

 

[ella6599]

We used one of these https://www.inventiveparent.com/opair.htm on our last trip. We actually had parents coming up to us asking where we got it, and I don't think I noticed any negative looks. (We used the full harness one before when we traveled in an airport, and DID get sideways glances). We were very comfortable with this one, though. Really, though, you've got to do what's best for your family- better to get dirty looks than to have one of your kids get lost in the park- I know MY kids can run faster than I can (and are shorter, and can slip under tables, peoples arms, etc)- even watching them closely, I'm scared they are going to get lost- so the OPair will be making an appearance with my 2 year old this fall!

 

[dreamergirl78]

My son is now 8 and we do not use one on him anymore, but I remember when he was younger and we lived in Hawaii I used one ALL THE TIME in the airports when we would come back to the mainland to visit. I do not care what anyone says or thinks, or how many dirty looks I got. I would rather strap on a lead and KNOW where he was at all times than take a chance. I would recommend you do not do a wrist one though. I think a child's wrist could easily be injured if he or she pulled too hard.

I think for the poster that said it was like treating your child like the family dog needs to get over it. You may not agree with it, but I find it highly offensive that you would pass that kind of judgement. Maybe your toddler was a perfect kid and never ran off but I know mine was not. Again, I would rather be safe than sorry. Then again, I am sure you did everything perfectly, so maybe we should all come to you for parenting advice right?

 

[Wendy1953]

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?

Please don't use the dog leash....they have the hand harnesses and also the harnesses that go around childrens chests at Babies R Us, and most childrens clothing outlets....also try K-mart, WalMart, Target......I just bought the overhead, chest harness for my 2 yr old dgrandnephew, and also a wrist harness for my 8 yr old dgrandnephew (who happens to be autistic)....we leave in 9 days......I'd rather they be safe at hand, then lose them!

Why would you care about what others think about you keeping a child safe from harm, and you sane? You need to do what's going to make you and yours have a wonderful vacation!

 

[thirtycats]

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!

I used to think harnesses were evil. Then I had a child. Now I think they are brilliant and very humane.

My child didn't want to use it though. I think FORCING a child to use it would be wrong. But if a child is okay with it, I think they're great.

 

[Quinn222]

Or will I just look like an awful Mom? I know I'm gonna get flamed, but I guess I'm asking anyways!

No flames here. I can't help you with your questions but better a harness than your precious baby running under a bus or getting lost.

 

[Angelgirl13202]

Use one of the cute ones like the back packs it wont be so bad for the kid!

I would give a dirty look to one using a DOG LEASH on a kid please they make safty devices for children no need to degrade them with a DOG LEASH.

An eight year old should know better and in my opionion would feel bad wearing one of those kid harnesses i would think... unless the child is special needs and isnt on their age limit would be the only way i say go for it with that age.

 

[snowwite]

I have never used one on my kids but I do have a funny story.
My mom was having a formal dinner party when I walked out with her bra ( I am told I was about 3 yr old) and asked if it was her harness.

 

[alyssa810]

Whenever I see leash babies I think of a Simpsons line:

This leash demeans us both.

That bra story was

 

[Tigger714]

Alright, I've been to Walmart (not my favorite story but thats another thread) and purchased the "Goldbug 2 in 1 Harness Buddy". Now these are the cute ones that look like a puppy dog or a monkey, and I couldn't decide which one so I bought both. Someone has asked about the lead, and if it would be a tripping hazard, I am happy to report that it is barely 36" long and if anyone is that close to me or my child, they need to back off!

Thank you all for the words of support. I am looking forward to my "sane" trip next week and now I know that I have this as a back up in case he grows tired of the stroller. FYI, he loves the thing! He wouldn't let go of it in the store so when I put it on him here at home he was thrilled! We are going to let him use it as a backpack for this next week and occasionally put the lead on it to let him get used to it.

BTW, for the one single person in this whole thread who thought I should respect my child and give him my undivided attention, I think that you could have given your opinion without personally attacking me and you have NO CLUE! If I didn't respect my child, I wouldn't have even put this much thought into wether he wanted to sit or walk and I certainly wouldn't have looked at all the options that were out there. I was a working Mom with a good career and I chose to stay home and give my boys my undivided attention 24/7. I respect and love my children deeply and would be devastated if something happened to any of them. As a child I was abducted by a family member and I don't ever want to go through that with my own child. Whheeew, okay I feel better now!

Hope everyone has a Magical Vacation!