Kid "leashes"

[Aliceacc]

When our twins were 2-3 years old, they had the monkey backpacks with tail "leashes". DH used them if he took them to places like the zoo. One parent, two toddlers both easily distracted was a recipe for disaster. DH only clipped the tails on if the area was crowded. What irks me is to see one toddler on a leash with 6 adults accompanying the kid. Come on guys! Y'all out number him! LOL

I think part of the issue is that the harness allows the child some "independence"-- he or she doesn't have to be right next to the parent. Also, his/her hand doesn't have to UP for hours at a time-- attached to a parent in a perrenial stoop so he or she can hold that toddler's hand. Try holding your hand up for an hour or two, then imagine doing it 12 hours a day for a week's vacation.

 

[Turbanator]

The problem is when you say leash people think of a dog but that isn't the case. It's about the safety of your kid and in busy places like dis parks etc it's good to have your kid close to you so they cant get lost.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have sworn never to use one... but I understand why others do. The only time I lost sight of my son recently was at Darth's Mall at Hollywood during Star Wars Weekend. Found him all teary eyed because he was afraid. He learned his lesson. Maybe let you kid think he's lost for him to learn to stay close.

Ha! We lost ds10 more times that I can count when he was under 5, and NOT ONCE was he upset! I don't think he even knew he was lost, just that he wasn't with his family anymore. When he was 2, we lost him at a resort for about 20 minutes. Security found him eating breakfast with another family, happy as a clam.

 

[rachael95]

It makes me sad that there is so much poster bashing in the Families forum. You don't see it get this heated in the Dining, Resorts, etc. forums. People there are more willing to accept that opinions differ, without questioning judgment or character. I wish that type of respect would be applied here too, even in these controversial, hot topic threads.

Agreed, I think the reason there is a lot of "bashing" though is that people get a lot more opinionated about how you raise a child than what restaurant you like. Really though, I think it is a few people who like to push buttons that if we would all just ignore them and not comment back to them (which is exactly what they want) that the amount of negativity would go down a thousand fold.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

Agreed, I think the reason there is a lot of "bashing" though is that people get a lot more opinionated about how you raise a child than what restaurant you like. Really though, I think it is a few people who like to push buttons that if we would all just ignore them and not comment back to them (which is exactly what they want) that the amount of negativity would go down a thousand fold.

Yep! The thread was really positive and not potstirry for a good long time.

Overwhelmingly, the responses have been understanding and polite, even in disagreement. The OP got the feedback she needed before the turn--so YAY us!

Shall we move on?

 

[chris31997]

Ha! We lost ds10 more times that I can count when he was under 5, and NOT ONCE was he upset! I don't think he even knew he was lost, just that he wasn't with his family anymore. When he was 2, we lost him at a resort for about 20 minutes. Security found him eating breakfast with another family, happy as a clam.

That are my kids Thankfully we all have survived DD will be 16 and DS is 7. Independant little things , I blame their dad The kiddie leash was our life/sanity saver

 

[jbuey22]

The benefit to taking a young child on any vacation is the enjoyment you get making memories together as a family. Maybe the child won't remember that they had a big smile for Mickey Mouse, but you will. Maybe the child won't remember how they played in the pop jets in Epcot and had a grand time, but you will.

If someone doesn't want to vacation with their children until they are older, I think they are missing out on A LOT. Makes me feel kind of sad for them.

well first of all i never said we did not vacation with our children until they were older, just that we did not spend big money on a disney vacation until they were old enough to enjoy it. I am so glad that all of you are so happy to see the smile on your kids face when they see mickey mouse. But at 2 years old you can get the same reaction at chuckie cheese. We did plenty with our kids prior to the 5 years that we waited to take then to Disney. Which I did also say that we had a hard time with cash, and still do, yet we have taken them quite often at that age and since. So nobody give me crap about how they feel sorry for my kids because once we did take them they were the ones who told us how much they loved it and hence we have taken them to the same vacation destination since. Dont bull crap me at 2 years old 15 months or whatever you arfe doing it for yourself and forcing it on them. We took them at an age that they could thoroughly enjoy it and then let them make up their minds if that is where they wanted to go on the next vacation. AND it worked because they love Disney just as much if not more than their mother and myself. But at least we gave them a choice to decide where they wanted to go. AT 2 you have no choice and I am glad all of you enjoy it yourself and the look on their faces but we couldnt afford it and we still cant. But we go anyways because they love it so much. And I am purposely running on with this remark just because some people dont like that I do not use paragraphs. Which I think are for papers for school and not for a forum. But I am sure I am wrong there too. So I could officially be the bad guy of this thread, but I know there are people out there that agree with me that dragging your kids around at that age is a tough thing to do (Hence the leashes) So if I am gonna have such a rough time on vacation I am not gonna spend thousands of dollars and have a bad experience. or worry about my kids so much that I have to tie them down with a leash. Go for it. Have fun if you can. It doesnt bother me and I guarentee my kids do not miss NOT going at 2. I certainly dont either we have been with our kids 6-7 times and they keep telling us that is where they want to go. So at 21 and 18 this year we will be back again. So you can think I am a bad parent because I neglected to spend big money until they were old enough to remember it. Fine, but when we come my kids transform themselves back to childhood and we sing the corney songs and laugh and still gawk at the sight of Mickey Mouse. So if that makes me the bad guy for not agreeing with you then fine. And by the way I do agree that these stupid leashes are the safest way to keep your kids in check, and I do agree that you should not care what other people say or think, even me. The only thing that I disagreed with is taking your kids at such an age and the fact that i would not use a leash on my kid. So go ahead and check my spelling now too!!

 

[jbuey22]

It makes me sad that there is so much poster bashing in the Families forum. You don't see it get this heated in the Dining, Resorts, etc. forums. People there are more willing to accept that opinions differ, without questioning judgment or character. I wish that type of respect would be applied here too, even in these controversial, hot topic threads.

i wasnt bashing just disagreeing. I dont care what other people would think, I would be humiliated myself if I had to do that to my child. BUT you are correct you must keep you kids safe. And yes it doesnt work for everybody to wait until their youngest was 5. It did for me. SO i am happy about that. And I didnt have to tell you about losing my kid twice, but I did because even though disagree, I wanted to let you know that I am not always right, and I admited my neglegence and the scare that I went through. I just really hate those things and I feel that they are below us as human beings. I would be ashamed of myself to do that to my kid. But that is just my opinion. Sorry to disagree on a family thread. Please do what you have to everybody to keep your kid safe. AND by the way, when going through the family discussion boards and you see a topic that says "Kid Leashes" you only read that thread if you have experience with this or if you really are against them. I just happen to be against them and everybody else who has opened this thread has had an experience where they needed them. So i am so sorry to offend you all with my opinions. These days alot of people use them, but ask your parents and grand parents and I bet alot of them would agree with me that it is a shame to tie your kid down like that. I guess I am a bit out dated with my ideas. oh and again i love running on these paragraphs. hahaha to all of you who had to struggle to read this. maybe I should edit myself and clean up my words.....NOT!

 

[oneprincessjo]

well first of all i never said we did not vacation with our children until they were older, just that we did not spend big money on a disney vacation until they were old enough to enjoy it. I am so glad that all of you are so happy to see the smile on your kids face when they see mickey mouse. But at 2 years old you can get the same reaction at chuckie cheese. We did plenty with our kids prior to the 5 years that we waited to take then to Disney. Which I did also say that we had a hard time with cash, and still do, yet we have taken them quite often at that age and since. So nobody give me crap about how they feel sorry for my kids because once we did take them they were the ones who told us how much they loved it and hence we have taken them to the same vacation destination since. Dont bull crap me at 2 years old 15 months or whatever you arfe doing it for yourself and forcing it on them. We took them at an age that they could thoroughly enjoy it and then let them make up their minds if that is where they wanted to go on the next vacation. AND it worked because they love Disney just as much if not more than their mother and myself. But at least we gave them a choice to decide where they wanted to go. AT 2 you have no choice and I am glad all of you enjoy it yourself and the look on their faces but we couldnt afford it and we still cant. But we go anyways because they love it so much. And I am purposely running on with this remark just because some people dont like that I do not use paragraphs. Which I think are for papers for school and not for a forum. But I am sure I am wrong there too. So I could officially be the bad guy of this thread, but I know there are people out there that agree with me that dragging your kids around at that age is a tough thing to do (Hence the leashes) So if I am gonna have such a rough time on vacation I am not gonna spend thousands of dollars and have a bad experience. or worry about my kids so much that I have to tie them down with a leash. Go for it. Have fun if you can. It doesnt bother me and I guarentee my kids do not miss NOT going at 2. I certainly dont either we have been with our kids 6-7 times and they keep telling us that is where they want to go. So at 21 and 18 this year we will be back again. So you can think I am a bad parent because I neglected to spend big money until they were old enough to remember it. Fine, but when we come my kids transform themselves back to childhood and we sing the corney songs and laugh and still gawk at the sight of Mickey Mouse. So if that makes me the bad guy for not agreeing with you then fine. And by the way I do agree that these stupid leashes are the safest way to keep your kids in check, and I do agree that you should not care what other people say or think, even me. The only thing that I disagreed with is taking your kids at such an age and the fact that i would not use a leash on my kid. So go ahead and check my spelling now too!!

I can agree with waiting until the kids are older if money is an issue or if you plan on taking them only once. When someone asks me for advice, the first thing I ask is will you be taking them more than once during their childhood, most of the people answer only once so I always suggest to wait until 5 or 6 so the child can remember the trip... Fortunately, prior to myself and husband having kids we purchased DVC so we can go every year with only the worry of park tickets and food since we basically prepaid for the room through DVC. So I have been taking my daughter since she was 6 months old, with that in mind park tickets and buffet/family style meals are free for children under 3 so we have yet to pay for her. Our last "freebie" trip for her will be January 2014, after that we will need to start paying. I can go into a whole DVC rant right now because that is the sole reason we can vacation to Disney every year and I'm so glad we bought in when we did, had we waited till after kids there is no way we could have afforded the DVC, at least not right now.

 

[jbuey22]

I can agree with waiting until the kids are older if money is an issue or if you plan on taking them only once. When someone asks me for advice, the first thing I ask is will you be taking them more than once during their childhood, most of the people answer only once so I always suggest to wait until 5 or 6 so the child can remember the trip... Fortunately, prior to myself and husband having kids we purchased DVC so we can go every year with only the worry of park tickets and food since we basically prepaid for the room through DVC. So I have been taking my daughter since she was 6 months old, with that in mind park tickets and buffet/family style meals are free for children under 3 so we have yet to pay for her. Our last "freebie" trip for her will be January 2014, after that we will need to start paying. I can go into a whole DVC rant right now because that is the sole reason we can vacation to Disney every year and I'm so glad we bought in when we did, had we waited till after kids there is no way we could have afforded the DVC, at least not right now.

Well that makes alot of sense and is a great idea. In hindsight I wish we would have done the DVC years ago. I remember contimplating it on our 2nd trip to Disney and the prices were much cheaper back then. I hope I didnt offend too many people. In fact a couple of people said how they think the DIS boards are a bit hostle when they are only trying to be happy. Well I actually disagree with that too. I think it is great that people can express their opinions in a free environment. What good would it be if you posted a thread and everybody agreed with you!. How would that help you other than to stroke your ego's its a good thing that you get different views. How else would you be able to make a educated decision. As I said I am not always right, infact im wrong alot. But I am not afraid to take peoples advise and hear opinions from a different point of view. I dont want to give anybody advise on how to raise their kids, but if we start wearing harnesses at Disney, the next thing you know you are doing it at the local supermarket, then at the DMV when you need to re-new your license. I personally, just me, would be ashamed to do that. I guess humiliated wasnt the right word. Because I really wouldnt care what other people would think. BUT I just would be ashamed of MYSELF for doing that to my kid. To me it seems degrading. but htat is my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt!
That is all I am saying on this. So dont be afraid to reply or agree or disagree. That is what is great about DIS. As long as you are not cursing or being disrespectful, which I hope I am not, they allow you to express yourself!. That is all. btw this is the only thread that I have ever disagreed with anybody or expressed myself like this, so I hope you do not think I am a trouble maker!

 

[mjkacmom]

jbuey22 - I'm not quoting you, because quite frankly, I only skimmed your responses. Discussion boards have been around for decades, and just a FYI, things like not using paragraphs to break up a large post, using all caps, using very poor grammar or spelling, or posting in such a way as to make it much easier for the writer, and much more difficult for the reader, is considered a no-no.

There have been posters who have apologized for needing to do these things (broken keyboard, learning disability), so if you have a reason why you are unable to break up your solid blocks of words with the return key, or have never learned how to use paragraphs, I apologize. However, if you are just that lazy....

 

[rachael95]

jbuey22 - I think what gets people is that if you are trying to make an argument that is honestly meant to help, why intentionally make it more difficult for someone to read what you have to say?

It sounds like you take glee in seeming to be ignorant by not using paragraph returns and trying to make your language hard to read. What that really does is lessen the impact of your argument and makes people not take you seriously. Which means, that people assume you are a troll and they treat you as such.

Forums have been around a long time. People who make things easier for others to read tend have more attention paid to them and their arguments tend to have more weight.

Who would you pay more attention to if you saw someone at a job interview? A person in clean clothes who has their hair combed and speaks in complete sentences, clearly, and with logical thoughts and opinions -- or the person who acts like they couldn't be bothered to take a shower and mumbles using hard to understand language?

The way you write is like your job interview with whether or not people are swayed by your opinions.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

I guess humiliated wasnt the right word.... To me it seems degrading.... As long as you are not cursing or being disrespectful, which I hope I am not, they allow you to express yourself!. That is all. btw this is the only thread that I have ever disagreed with anybody or expressed myself like this, so I hope you do not think I am a trouble maker!

Wow. It seems like you have a lot of really big feelings going on that may not have anything to do with leashes/harnesses/backpacks with tails. I'm sorry. It happens to me, too. It sucks when they well up unexpectedly like that.

Back to the issue at hand: I think it's really the words 'humiliating' and 'lazy' (and the follow-up 'degrading') are the real issues. I totally agree that people should have room to respectfully disagree and present opposing views, but to use such hot button words about someone's well considered parenting choices is no different than calling them those things. Not respectful. Not polite. Well beyond simple disagreement.

What kind of fall out would you expect if you said these very things to a friend who was standing in front of you? Would you call her out as lazy? Inform her in front of her backpack wearing child that he was being humiliated? Aside from using paragraphs, another good rule if thumb is to not write anything in a forum that you wouldn't say to someone's face.

I really do get it. I wasn't onboard with the leash idea for a good long time. It's just that the delivery rubbed people the wrong way. You have a unique voice and perspective that I hope to hear again.

 

[sb682]

I think leashes are fine and I wouldn't care what anyone thought of me for using one. I had a very cute Tigger one for DS but he absolutely hated it the few times I used it. He is 3 1/2 now, and we took his first trip to WDW a few months ago. He hadn't been in a stroller for months at home, but we told him he HAD to ride in it, and he HAD to be buckled in, or he wasn't going anywhere. He was not happy about it at first, but he stopped complaining after a few minutes and really loved it as the day wore on. He got plenty of time to walk around and explore in shops and when the crowd levels were lower.

My point is, do whatever you need to keep your kids safe. I personally suggest a stroller over a leash (you'll do a lot of walking at Disney) but it's your choice.

 

[Gracie09]

well first of all i never said we did not vacation with our children until they were older, just that we did not spend big money on a disney vacation until they were old enough to enjoy it. I am so glad that all of you are so happy to see the smile on your kids face when they see mickey mouse. But at 2 years old you can get the same reaction at chuckie cheese. We did plenty with our kids prior to the 5 years that we waited to take then to Disney. Which I did also say that we had a hard time with cash, and still do, yet we have taken them quite often at that age and since. So nobody give me crap about how they feel sorry for my kids because once we did take them they were the ones who told us how much they loved it and hence we have taken them to the same vacation destination since. Dont bull crap me at 2 years old 15 months or whatever you arfe doing it for yourself and forcing it on them. We took them at an age that they could thoroughly enjoy it and then let them make up their minds if that is where they wanted to go on the next vacation. AND it worked because they love Disney just as much if not more than their mother and myself. But at least we gave them a choice to decide where they wanted to go. AT 2 you have no choice and I am glad all of you enjoy it yourself and the look on their faces but we couldnt afford it and we still cant. But we go anyways because they love it so much. And I am purposely running on with this remark just because some people dont like that I do not use paragraphs. Which I think are for papers for school and not for a forum. But I am sure I am wrong there too. So I could officially be the bad guy of this thread, but I know there are people out there that agree with me that dragging your kids around at that age is a tough thing to do (Hence the leashes) So if I am gonna have such a rough time on vacation I am not gonna spend thousands of dollars and have a bad experience. or worry about my kids so much that I have to tie them down with a leash. Go for it. Have fun if you can. It doesnt bother me and I guarentee my kids do not miss NOT going at 2. I certainly dont either we have been with our kids 6-7 times and they keep telling us that is where they want to go. So at 21 and 18 this year we will be back again. So you can think I am a bad parent because I neglected to spend big money until they were old enough to remember it. Fine, but when we come my kids transform themselves back to childhood and we sing the corney songs and laugh and still gawk at the sight of Mickey Mouse. So if that makes me the bad guy for not agreeing with you then fine. And by the way I do agree that these stupid leashes are the safest way to keep your kids in check, and I do agree that you should not care what other people say or think, even me. The only thing that I disagreed with is taking your kids at such an age and the fact that i would not use a leash on my kid. So go ahead and check my spelling now too!!

You might have something interesting to say but the lack or paragraghs or anything remotely resembling correct sentence structure makes it impossible to decipher.

 

[eyor44]

My oldest was a runner (27 now) and back when missing kids photos were on milk boxes. I found a harness and leash in the store one day and thought what a great idea.
One day at the grocery an older lady started lecturing me on how horrible it was to treat a child like a dog on a leash. I calmly told her "You will never see my child's picture on a milk carton." She stopped cold and walked away. I could tell she was thinking about what I had said.

I always say do what it best for your child to keep him/her safe. Didn't have to use one with my other two, but I kept it just in case.

 

[Svhadden]

Do what's best for your child and who cares what everyone else thinks? I promise, on our last visit when we were pushing an umbrella stroller with our SIX YEAR OLD son in it, I didn't give a rip what anyone else thought! We're park commandos, getting there at rope drop, and shutting down the parks, and my son just doesn't have the stamina the rest of us do. So I gladly brought along our stroller as I had every year prior.

Honestly, I would strap my child to my body before I'd take a chance on losing them in a park with 25K-plus people roaming around. I've never had to use one, but I think the harnesses are genius. Gives your child a bit of freedom to roam, but keeps them close.

And I'd also have to disagree about the age kids enjoy WDW. Our first trip, our youngest was 2 yrs old, and he had a blast. He talked about that trip until our next trip lol.

 

[SamSam]

I will make a note that I have not read all replies..only a few...
You should do what makes you feel safe, and not what others think. All kids are different. My DS- I never needed to, nor have I ever used any harness with him. Even at a toddler age, he would never venture off. Partly of being too afraid, and partly because he is just very well behaved.

DD on the other hand, (2 yr old)...she knows where she is going, knows how to get there, and doesn't care what anyone says. The child runs everywhere. I have tried everything. One day we were in the mall and she ran off for the thousandth time, so we hid on her. The mall was empty, and she ran off to the corner of the mall, sat in front of a window and watched the cars outside. I sat there and watched her where she could not see me, hoping it would scare her enough not to do it again. (before I get any sort of bashed for this I was close enough to her that she couldn't see me but if anything happened I was close enough to be right there) She didn't care. She turned a few times to see if I was behind her, and when she realized I wasn't, just sat there and kept watching the cars.

Point being, especially with two children to care for, being in a huge crowded place for so long, with a toddler, I am all for harnesses where they need it. A toddler is not going to want to ride in a stroller all vacation, nor are they going to want to hold your hand. Toddlers crave independence, no matter where you are.

Go for the harness if it makes you comfortable

Your two remind me of my two ...many years ago. DS was content to stay right with us, DD was spur of the moment - if she thought something she acted - immediately. One time when visiting a large mall ( we had talked to her about what to do when lost - tell an employee), lo and behold, we're in the appliance dept. and DD disappears. Panick time!!! Well she's nice and cozy, eating ice cream in the store office. We're just relieved (at that point) that we found her. Hmmmm...on the drive home she tells us that she went up to a 'worker' and told them she was lost, just to see what would happen!!!! (she was 4) That's pretty much what she was like her whole childhood. We survived, as did she.
If you want to use a harness, use it!

 

[luvmy2babies]

Waiting until children are older might work for some, especially if they are closer together. I first brought my children to Disney in 2010. My son was 10 months. But my daughter was already 7. My husband had died 8 months prior and regular vacations (small and large) are one of my "We can do this...we'll still be a family...this is not going to crush us" efforts. On a vacation the following year he'd become a runner and I used a harness. My daughter was never a runner, but they are totally different children in most ways.

I am far from a lazy parent. He was far from humiliated considering he has no clue what that means. If he did he wouldn't come running out of the bathroom naked. He was not yet at the point where he realized running off wasn't funny. He never did it to be difficult. He honestly thought it was fun. We vacationed here last summer and I forgot it a couple of days and had to chase him 3 times, but didn't lose him. He had my phone number on him. He's a recovering runner now at nearly 3.5. He realizes he shouldn't do it, but still has his moments.

We are here now without it because he mostly stays put and jumps around or plays a game while we are in line. We are here this week largely because when I mentioned summer vacation, my 3 year-old son talked about how beautiful it was there and how he could not wait to go back. He remembered last year's trip long enough to help convince me to do another. I love it here as does my daughter. He's the one that goes through the most changes on these trips, so it was significant for him to tell me he wanted to return, especially since this was the first year I had to pay for him. We are all having a blast.

I have seen quite a few harnesses this week. As far as I'm concerned, safety first however you have to do it.

 

[slcmom]

Hi everyone
I'm the eccentric one with the Down syndrome son and grandkiids, that posted several days ago.

I feel compelled to comment on the remark a few posts ago that first people will use leashes at WDW, then pretty soon at the grocery store and dmv. Hallelujah! When my kids were young, here in Utah we had a serial murderer who abducted young boys and they were never seen again. One was literally taken when he walked around to the next aisle in the grocery store ahead of his Mom. They never found him. I realize that that was an extreme situation, and the fellow was eventually found and stopped. But it can happen.

I'm all for keeping my kids safe. My son and dgks never reported feeling anything negative at being on the harness. We approached it like a game and we all had a good time.