Kid "leashes"

[slcmom]

I'm a passionate leash supporter. My son has Down syndrome and was a wanderer. We had some nightmare times before I started doing the leash. Because he needed it until he was 15 or so, obviously the toddler ones available wouldn't fit him. Part of our pre-trip tradition would be to go to our sporting goods store that carries webbing by the yard, the buckles to go with it, and a modest charge for sewing them together while you wait. It was fun for him to choose a color, measure how big his waist had gotten, and watch them assemble it for him. We would each have a belt around our waists, and a strap that connected the two to each other. I'd make it about 6' long, with a toggle on my end that I could easily disconnect it.

I loved people that would look my son in the eye and comment on how smart he was to keep his Mom close by!

Some years we would invite a grandchild or two to come with us, and I'd make them their own leashes (all connected to me) that they'd wear until they proved not to need it. Yes, we looked ridiculous, but we had a great time and saved a whole lot of worry. Now he's 23 and does just fine at not wandering off.

 

[Gracie09]

I like this idea! I might try this at home and see how it goes.

We bought ours at greater than one kid. Google it

 

[Earth Mama]

heck ours isn't even a backpack type it's just a kid harness and leash.

 

[bella2117]

I'm a passionate leash supporter. My son has Down syndrome and was a wanderer. We had some nightmare times before I started doing the leash. Because he needed it until he was 15 or so, obviously the toddler ones available wouldn't fit him. Part of our pre-trip tradition would be to go to our sporting goods store that carries webbing by the yard, the buckles to go with it, and a modest charge for sewing them together while you wait. It was fun for him to choose a color, measure how big his waist had gotten, and watch them assemble it for him. We would each have a belt around our waists, and a strap that connected the two to each other. I'd make it about 6' long, with a toggle on my end that I could easily disconnect it.

I loved people that would look my son in the eye and comment on how smart he was to keep his Mom close by!

Some years we would invite a grandchild or two to come with us, and I'd make them their own leashes (all connected to me) that they'd wear until they proved not to need it. Yes, we looked ridiculous, but we had a great time and saved a whole lot of worry. Now he's 23 and does just fine at not wandering off.

If I saw I you guys I would have smiled and give you only praise. You go mom! I told my husband that we are going to harness our son for Disney and he gave me that you sure? look and I told him its okay I asked about it on disboards and people do it so we are to!! Rather be safe then sorry

 

[abinormal]

I got a unicorn for my daughter because she's so independent and I assumed she'd be a runner. Turns out we haven't needed it, since she stays nearby and listens well.

My parenting opinions tend to skew towards "do what you have to so everyone is safe and sane."

 

[cheer25mom]

I personally HATE those things and refuse to use one for any reason, but don't have a problem with others doing so until it becomes a problem for me. My problem is those who choose to use them as a substitute for actually watching thie child nad then me DH, or DD end up tripped up/ tangled in a leash. It is more of an issue with the longer ones, paricularly those that attach to the wrist, which also pose the risk of nursemaid's elbow when not used properly. I have seen it happen when a child snaps to the end of the lead. So i would say use one if it makes you feel better, but don't let it make you complacent and don't let the kid wander at the end of the lead and become a trip hazard for others.

 

[twoglasslippers]

We used a monkey backpack for my son when he was 2-3. It was truly a life saver! He would generally hold my hand pretty well, but if he broke free I had the strap and he wasn't long gone. It was the very best thing for him because he was able to walk around and have some freedom without being in danger. He actually liked it and would sign "monkey" as soon as we parked and were getting him out of his carseat.

 

[tuvalox]

My wife and I used a monkey backpack lease on my DS when he was 4. We really did not like the idea of putting out son on a leash, but he would see something he liked and would run after it. So after much deliberation we decided to get the monkey backpack and we used it at Universal Studios. It was around Christmas time and the Grinch was out, so we took the two older kids to see him. The Grinch took one look at my son and said, "Why are you on a leash." To which my DD 5 at the time said, "Because he will run away." The Grinch said to my son, "If I had a family that looked like that, I would run away too."

Oddly enough we really didn't need to leash on the trip even though my DS had it on the whole time and we have never used it again.

 

[Nicnic]

I am from the UK and find the word 'leash' funny. Of corse we have leash for dogs but the child version we call them safety reigns/harness. this may seem funny to you!!
we will be using the harness on our holiday in October.
DD will have just turned 2 when we go and I use it at home now as she will run off and not always hold hands very long.
When she has the harness on she has a bit of freedom and never tries to run off, she even helps put it on, this for me personally is much better than trying to hold her hand, bending down all the time and the sweaty hands too!! We both get the chance to look around and I know where she is.
I am not at all worried in what anyone else thinks, they are widely used in the UK, I had one when I was younger, many moons ago!!
She is my child and I will do what I think is best for her safety and happiness.
Don't be afraid of what others think, that's all they are 'thoughts'.

 

[cleverclovers]

Use the harness or whatever works. When my daughter was small I used one while shopping. When others give you "dirty" looks and comments, I answered "At least I know where my child is. Where's yours?" Usually they were halfway down the escalator.

 

[MeeskaMomma]

I got a runner on my hands. We are doing disney for the first time in September. Would I be looked down upon if I strapped one of those backpack leashes on my 3 year old? I also have a 5 year old but he's not a runner. My DS won't even let us hold his hand! He's on this independent phase which is great but when we are in a packed place I totally have trouble having him hold our hands or stay in the carriage. Does anyone else backpack their kids?

It sounds like it is what is safest. I wouldn't worry what other people think. I have tried the backpack thing with our son and he hates it, but he isn't really a runner, so I didn't push the issue. I see parents with them and airports and shopping all the time and I don't think twice about it. Safety first!

Have a great trip!

 

[aylarosie]

Do what you think is best.I care for 6 children every day,we take a walk every day around the nieghborhood.I can push 5 in the stroller but when each child turns 2 they walk holding on. I have safety straps ,they are elastic and go around thier wrist.I attach it to the stroller.we don't walk without them holding on and strapped on.They are so thrilled to be able to walk they do not let go. Thw parents are thrilled as it carries over to thier time. I don't think you mention the age of your child but you could start with small walks ,maybe to a park where the child can then run around.I have great success with using stickers as positive reinforcment. The back pack would work but you don't want to trip people or yourselves. Good luck

 

[bella2117]

I personally HATE those things and refuse to use one for any reason, but don't have a problem with others doing so until it becomes a problem for me. My problem is those who choose to use them as a substitute for actually watching thie child nad then me DH, or DD end up tripped up/ tangled in a leash. It is more of an issue with the longer ones, paricularly those that attach to the wrist, which also pose the risk of nursemaid's elbow when not used properly. I have seen it happen when a child snaps to the end of the lead. So i would say use one if it makes you feel better, but don't let it make you complacent and don't let the kid wander at the end of the lead and become a trip hazard for others.

I've seen the wrist ones and they are LONG! I could never do that to people walking around us. I would get one with a short length. I don't want to be that mom with that trips everyone!

 

[bella2117]

I am from the UK and find the word 'leash' funny. Of corse we have leash for dogs but the child version we call them safety reigns/harness. this may seem funny to you!!
we will be using the harness on our holiday in October.
DD will have just turned 2 when we go and I use it at home now as she will run off and not always hold hands very long.
When she has the harness on she has a bit of freedom and never tries to run off, she even helps put it on, this for me personally is much better than trying to hold her hand, bending down all the time and the sweaty hands too!! We both get the chance to look around and I know where she is.
I am not at all worried in what anyone else thinks, they are widely used in the UK, I had one when I was younger, many moons ago!!
She is my child and I will do what I think is best for her safety and happiness.
Don't be afraid of what others think, that's all they are 'thoughts'.

After my first post I thought darn!! I should have said harness! People will think I'm talking like my kids a dog! It already posted so from now on I try to say harness lol

 

[ohionola]

We bought one of these for my son when he was 2. It was great because he was able to walk/run around and we didn't worry. I do have to say though that we went back this year and it was much more crowded than I remembered and it would have been difficult for a little one to even have room to run around.

 

[castleri]

When my youngest was about 3-4 we had him get away from us twice on a trip to Florida - once in Clearwater and he was about a block away before we determined where he had gone. He took off just as I was paying for his hot dog and getting the change and I didn't see him go around the corner. Luckily my husband (who had been in a different location) caught him just before he started to cross a main street. The second time was in EPCOT. At the time there was a store on one side of the walkway and an area with very basic computer type games/displays in the building on the other side. There was an upper level in the store and we each thought he was with the other one. After a frantic search of the store and contacting security we found him playing with the computer games - his reply to us when we said he should have stayed with us and that we were very worried was - "I knew where I was". At the time (24 yrs ago) there were no backpack harnesses but you can be assured I found one of the wrist type and he wore it everywhere we went from then on. I applaud all parents who use whatever means they need to in order to keep their children safe. I got some not so friendly looks but I didn't care as I knew just how fast a small child can move and disappear.

 

[rosiegmendez]

Do what is best for your kid and keeps your kid safest. Don't worry about what anyone thinks. You will see tons of the backpack leashes at the parks.

And a friendly word of advice, this becomes a HOT topic very quickly on these boards. Don't take it personally if someone condemns you for even thinking about using one.

My 3rd and final child turned out to be a very active boy (calm girls before him). Boy did he rock our world! He is not hyper but there was no "boundary" for him. He will just go and disappear. The many scares he gave us is not worth it. For our multiple trips to Disneyland, we had his BFF puppy backpack and never had an issue and he was perfectly content.

I used to judge those poor moms using the "leash" at theme parks but then I had my boy and I definitely dont judge. Not until you walk a day in their shoes...

 

[MMluvsWDW]

We used the puppy one on our last trip and it was great as we're tall and trying to hold the hand of an 18 mo old almost killed my back. Since then we have bought the actual backpack and he carries his "things" while we still have the option of adding the leash. We put a diaper and wipes and a toy in there and really talk it up. This has worked great for us and we always have a diaper then

 

[BBG-BLT]

To answer your question - of course some people will look down on the usage. I ignore those people - and will continue to ignore them when my 5 year old is in a stroller this June and I get "those" looks.

Do the best for you and your family.

 

[jbuey22]

Yes the leash things bug me, but not for the reason you probably think. First of all let me say that I think most of the problem is with kids that are too young. IMO 2-4 years old is too young to really enjoy or remember Disney. We are Big Disney freaks, but waited until my youngest was 5 before we went. We dont normally have alot of cash for a vacation every year, so we waited until my son was 5 and my daughter was 8. That first trip was sooo magical I will never forget it and neither will they. We mulled it over when he was 3 and just decided(because he was a active boy) that a couple more years would make things much more pleasant for ALL of us instead of having a nightmare or a vacation that is even a little bit of an annoyance that we would regret it. At the age of 5 and 8 our kids were the perfect age that we did not need to teather or harness, or even hold hands. Of course we would always go after school had started for the year too and crowds were much tamer at the beginning of October or mid september. NOW having said all of that I should add that our first trip also gave us 2 scares where we lost track of the 5 year old. First was at the Magic Kingdom and having the freedom we did where the kids were quite independent and no longer so boisterous, you very easily could lose track (which we did) after exiting splash mountain. We stopped for a drink of water from the fountain and he musta kept on walking. We lost him for close to an hour or actually about 45 minutes. I was disabled at the time and had a ECV and frantically swept the area speeding around looking for him, while the wife and daughter stayed in one place and continued to look for him and also contacted a Cast Member to get help. I found him eating an ice cream bar that a cast member working a stand had given him to stop him from crying. It was scary let me tell you and we made a mistake no doubt about it. But I still do not think I would use a leash. 2 days later we lost him at the merchandise store at the hotel. He asked if he could have a Buzz Lightyear twirling lollypop, which we said (Sure!!). Then after he got what he wanted(in his mind) he started walking towards the hotel room. We didnt even pay for it, we said "yes" you can have it and he was satisfied and started walking home. After 5-10 minutes of looking around the store, we realized (we did it again) and started our search. We looked at the food court, the arcade, etc.. every place where we thought he might be, but he actually made it all the way back to the room. Which was surprising because all of the buildings looked the same at the All Star resort at the time, and we had a long walk to our room. But he knew just where to go.. So after that tale, I am sure some of you might say that I could have benefited from a Monkey Backpack or whatever, (I dont actually think they had them (13 some odd years ago). And if they did, I am sure they were frowned upon and looked down to much much more than they are now. So yes, keep your family safe, Sure! No doubt! But really what benefit is it for a 2 year old to go to Disney. I never thought so, and I really feel sorry for the mothers who are carrying around an infant. That has to be painful. Even pushing a stroller all day has got to get old quick. I wouldnt do it. We saved our money until the kids were old enough to thoroughly enjoy the vacation. I stand by that even though I did lose my kid twice. But not because he was a runner. He had calmed down by that age, mostly it was our neglect and our first trip to Disney as well since our Honeymoon, so we were looking around and gawking as much as the kids. Plus my son was much calmer, but he was SO independent, that he would just do his own thing and wander off. I guess both instances would have been avoided with a leash, but I still disagree with them, and do not think they are the correct way to teach a child. YES maybe the best way to keep a child SAFE. Sure no doubt! But I wouldnt be showing off my family vacation pictures of me and my kids on leashes. I think that is humiliating and lazy. So lets hear it!