kids with harness leashes?

[LovinPooh]

I have wild question. I dont mean to sound insulting. Do children that are on these ever end up on their rears? I mean, if you stop quick, does the child get like 'pulled back'. I hope you get what I mean lol.

 

[Kaye]

Whoaaaa momtoBrandonandJacob...I didn't mean the it is akin to a child being a dog. I meant that if they run away, the child could be pulled back intentionally or not and that action is like a dog on a leash. The OP was talking about a toddler, not a special needs kid, and the OP did ask for opinions. Personally, I think it's hard to have a dialogue if people are expected to have the same opinion. Besides, when I'm there next month with my sil's family, her daughter who is 2 will have one on. Look for us, I think she will have a monkey on her back. We all get to make the choice that is best for our family. I make my choices, you make your choices. No judgements being made.

 

[churchpilot]

In the past I have been fascinated with the kids and parents who use these. It is somethng that I don't think I could ever use....now let me fess up that we lost our 4 year old last Sunday at Disney World! We had just walked down the stairs at CRT with another couple and their 2 children. I dropped our picture and my husband stopped to help me pick the photo package up. When we stood up and walked toward the fountain (by Castle Couture), I asked everyone where Ben was. Nobody knew. We fanned out immediately and looked (including over the brick wall down into the water). We couldn't see him anywhere. There was a uniformed security officer standing 15 feet away, so I went up to him and told him was son was missing for about 2 minutes at this point. He got on his radio, gave a description, and was told to standby. He assured me that he would be found, usually within 5 minutes because his description was going out to every employee in Disney who carried a radio. It took an agonizing 20 minutes to get the phone call that he was safe and sound in the baby care center. He evidently walked toward the side of the Castle and someone saw him and took him to a CM who walked him to the Baby Care Center. This CM didn't have a radio, so that accounted for the elapsed time. I hope no one ever has to go through the emotions that we did, so strap a saddle on them if you have to and keep them safe!!! I would rather someone be looking at me because I have a harness on my child than watching me melt down because my child is gone...

 

[LovinPooh]

In the past I have been fascinated with the kids and parents who use these. It is somethng that I don't think I could ever use....now let me fess up that we lost our 4 year old last Sunday at Disney World! We had just walked down the stairs at CRT with another couple and their 2 children. I dropped our picture and my husband stopped to help me pick the photo package up. When we stood up and walked toward the fountain (by Castle Couture), I asked everyone where Ben was. Nobody knew. We fanned out immediately and looked (including over the brick wall down into the water). We couldn't see him anywhere. There was a uniformed security officer standing 15 feet away, so I went up to him and told him was son was missing for about 2 minutes at this point. He got on his radio, gave a description, and was told to standby. He assured me that he would be found, usually within 5 minutes because his description was going out to every employee in Disney who carried a radio. It took an agonizing 20 minutes to get the phone call that he was safe and sound in the baby care center. He evidently walked toward the side of the Castle and someone saw him and took him to a CM who walked him to the Baby Care Center. This CM didn't have a radio, so that accounted for the elapsed time. I hope no one ever has to go through the emotions that we did, so strap a saddle on them if you have to and keep them safe!!! I would rather someone be looking at me because I have a harness on my child than watching me melt down because my child is gone...

So scary! There is nothign like that feeling when your child isnt in your sight. I am so so glad that you child was found safe. Must have been a long 20 minutes. Good to know Disney has procedures in place though.

 

[debdebdebby13]

I love these Disney ones! I was going to get the monkey until I saw Minnie. My DS will be 2 months shy of his 5th birthday when we go, but he is very small for his age (about 41 inches and very skinny). does anyone know if this will fit him? I gave him the option of wearing this or holding a hand and he seemed really excited about a Pooh harness, not so much with holding a hand.

thanks

My 2yr 8mo old is 39" and about 35lbs (TALL for her age) and it fits her well with room to grow, so I bet your DS would fit fine in it. HTH!

Whoaaaa momtoBrandonandJacob...I didn't mean the it is akin to a child being a dog. I meant that if they run away, the child could be pulled back intentionally or not and that action is like a dog on a leash. The OP was talking about a toddler, not a special needs kid, and the OP did ask for opinions. Personally, I think it's hard to have a dialogue if people are expected to have the same opinion. Besides, when I'm there next month with my sil's family, her daughter who is 2 will have one on. Look for us, I think she will have a monkey on her back. We all get to make the choice that is best for our family. I make my choices, you make your choices. No judgements being made.

I read both your previous post and this one, and I'm the OP. The problem is, what 2 year old listens all the time?? NONE, not that I've ever met anyway, its kind of the nature of the beast for a two year old to do the opposite of what the parent wants or to ignore the parents requests. For MY two year old, who is very headstrong, but still a baby and not fully aware of her surroundings, a harness will be quite useful I think. I have no intentions of letting my child run wild, but for a kiddo who demands some degree of independence I think this will provide that. I also have no intention of jerking her here and there, just using it to keep her near while still letting her walk on her own.

 

[Munchkin'sMommy]

I will admit, before I had a child, I hated those leashes. I thought they were cruel. But now...I have changed my mind, especially trying to control a very active almost 3 year old. Due to developmental delay, my son did not walk until he was almost 20 months. But once he started walking....there was no stopping him. I couldn't catch him. He was quick and still is. I don't use it very often anymore because he is very good at holding my hand and walking beside me. As a matter of fact as soon as I get him out of the car he tells me "Mama hold hand." So he knows he is expected to hold my hand when we are walking.

I had not considered taking his leash to Disney but I guess its a good idea because I seriously doubt he will stay put and content in his stroller in all the excitement. And really I don't expect him to either. He has the Monkey backpack. I got it at Walmart for 9.96 but I saw the same same one the other day at Walmart for 8.94.

He really does not like to wear it because he wants to move freely without the leash part of it tagging along behind him, but I do not compromise with him when it comes to his safety. So I tell him either wear it or hold my hand. Those are the only options. He will almost always choose to hold me hand. My DH hates to see him wearing the leash. But he is not the one trying to control him.

 

[Kaye]

That's great. I reread everything too. And since we're all here to help each other, I do not intend to offend you, or anyone. As I said, I'll be with a child in a harness next month. My sil will use it. It's her kid, her choice. Simple as that. And I agree with you, no 2 y.o. listens all the time. I chose to do things differently. Doesn't make my way right or wrong, it just makes it my way. As I said in my original post, if it makes your vacation more enjoyable and less stressful, do it. Your child, your choice.

As far as the leash/dog reference, unfortunately, I have seen children pull against the harness when the parent was going the other way. This is a picture that has stuck in my head. Sorry. I know this is not the intention of the harness, nor the way I'm sure you will use it, but it's in my head.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation. People will judge others if that's the way they are. Not much we can do to change that, just enjoy your time at WDW.

 

[kinghorse]

I ahve been taking my daughter to Disney world several times a year since she was one and she is turning 6 next week. I did get a harness since she wanted to go everywhere, we used the harness one day and she detested it, great for me but after that day she promised to stay right by me if she didn't have to wear it again. She never wore it again and after that one day has never ventured at all. The harnesses with the stuffed animals that looked like backpacks are cute.

 

[jellybeans0607]

There are people that will judge you for everything you do, thats their problem not yours. If you want to use one, use one.
At the end of the day if something happened to your child because you decided to for go the harness, you are the one that would have to live with that. Those judgementl people will still go on living their sad judgemental lives. It's an easy choice, you pick your kid over those kind of people.

 

[Leajess99]

I'm not a fan...like a previous poster said, you will use it like a dog leash. If your kid listened to you, you wouldn't need one. My kids are very disturbed by them--sil uses one for their cousin. But more than likely, you won't see my kids again and you must do what you think is best for you and your child. If it makes for a better vacation for you, by all means, do it.

How rude!!!!! Kids are kids and I can guarantee your kids do NOT listen to you all the time so your post is just judgemental.

Some kids are good listeners but also get easily distracted especially at Disney World.

 

[Leajess99]

In the past I have been fascinated with the kids and parents who use these. It is somethng that I don't think I could ever use....now let me fess up that we lost our 4 year old last Sunday at Disney World! We had just walked down the stairs at CRT with another couple and their 2 children. I dropped our picture and my husband stopped to help me pick the photo package up. When we stood up and walked toward the fountain (by Castle Couture), I asked everyone where Ben was. Nobody knew. We fanned out immediately and looked (including over the brick wall down into the water). We couldn't see him anywhere. There was a uniformed security officer standing 15 feet away, so I went up to him and told him was son was missing for about 2 minutes at this point. He got on his radio, gave a description, and was told to standby. He assured me that he would be found, usually within 5 minutes because his description was going out to every employee in Disney who carried a radio. It took an agonizing 20 minutes to get the phone call that he was safe and sound in the baby care center. He evidently walked toward the side of the Castle and someone saw him and took him to a CM who walked him to the Baby Care Center. This CM didn't have a radio, so that accounted for the elapsed time. I hope no one ever has to go through the emotions that we did, so strap a saddle on them if you have to and keep them safe!!! I would rather someone be looking at me because I have a harness on my child than watching me melt down because my child is gone...

I am so sorry you had to go through that. I so know the panic and thus the reason my youngest has used the harness. My older 2 never had to use them but my youngest is a whole different story.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

How rude!!!!! Kids are kids and I can guarantee your kids do NOT listen to you all the time so your post is just judgemental.

Some kids are good listeners but also get easily distracted especially at Disney World.

I am sorry but I have to defend the poster you are referring to. She was not rude. She stated her opinion which is what the OP asked. If you don't agree then that is your right. If you read her whole posts you would see that she never said her kids listen all the time and she also said to do what you think is best for your family. She was not rude. She stated her feelings on leashes.

I too do not use them. I too have seen kids yanked with them. I have also seen parents that were in another world while shopping figuring that the kid is on a leash so it doesn't matter what they are touching because they are too busy looking at what they (the adult) want to buy. I have also seen a child "walked" into and out of the pool like an animal. Yes- I was not the only person to find that perplexing at the pool that day. Many pool goers had the same look.
Do I actively look for people who use them and give them the evil eye? No. I don't really care what anyone is doing. I am enjoying my family. If you are right in front of me then of course I am going to see you like the examples I gave, and while in my head I may think you are an idiot I certainly wouldn't say anything to you. I would ignore you since again, I don't really care what others do on their vacation.
We do things our way- which includes not using leashes. Do I care if you use one? No. In fact I wouldn't even glance your way. It doesn't make someone rude to have a different opinion.

 

[Leajess99]

I am sorry but I have to defend the poster you are referring to. She was not rude. She stated her opinion which is what the OP asked. If you don't agree then that is your right. If you read her whole posts you would see that she never said her kids listen all the time and she also said to do what you think is best for your family. She was not rude. She stated her feelings on leashes.

I too do not use them. I too have seen kids yanked with them. I have also seen parents that were in another world while shopping figuring that the kid is on a leash so it doesn't matter what they are touching because they are too busy looking at what they (the adult) want to buy. I have also seen a child "walked" into and out of the pool like an animal. Yes- I was not the only person to find that perplexing at the pool that day. Many pool goers had the same look.
Do I actively look for people who use them and give them the evil eye? No. I don't really care what anyone is doing. I am enjoying my family. If you are right in front of me then of course I am going to see you like the examples I gave, and while in my head I may think you are an idiot I certainly wouldn't say anything to you. I would ignore you since again, I don't really care what others do on their vacation.
We do things our way- which includes not using leashes. Do I care if you use one? No. In fact I wouldn't even glance your way. It doesn't make someone rude to have a different opinion.

Her comment of "If your kid listened to you, you wouldn't need one" is rude and very judgemental. Even the best listeners get distracted. That is not an opinion that is a very rude statement and that is MY OPINION. And her not liking my choice is her problem but her statement IS rude.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Her comment of "If your kid listened to you, you wouldn't need one" is rude and very judgemental. Even the best listeners get distracted. That is not an opinion that is a very rude statement and that is MY OPINION. And her not liking my choice is her problem but her statement IS rude.

You didn't read the rest of that post. Sorry, but yeah, if the child listened you wouldn't need a harness. It isn't being rude, it is saying what all the pro-leashers have been saying. That their kids run off, get distracted etc. Obviously if your child didn't do those things you wouldn't need a leash I imagine? It was just a different way of wording it. Nobody is saying their kids listen all the time. Just that they handle things in a different manner.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

...Do I actively look for people who use them and give them the evil eye? No. I don't really care what anyone is doing. I am enjoying my family. If you are right in front of me then of course I am going to see you like the examples I gave, and while in my head I may think you are an idiot I certainly wouldn't say anything to you. I would ignore you since again, I don't really care what others do on their vacation.
We do things our way- which includes not using leashes. Do I care if you use one? No. In fact I wouldn't even glance your way. It doesn't make someone rude to have a different opinion.

That's nice

 

[Kaye]

Thanks MouseHouseMama. Evidently, you understand what I am saying and I certainly do appreciate it! I guess I'm done posting since I'm not communicating very well.

As to the other poster who is offended--my kids did not listen all the time, but I dealt with that as I saw fit. And no, I didn't beat my kids for straying . Again--I will state my main point--your children, your choice. I am NOT judging. I did things my way, you do things your way. We're all happy then, right?

 

[jms531]

I was always anti-leash before I had DD, but since I've become a mother boy have I become less judgemental! DD (2 going on 16) is very headstrong and I was concerned about taking her to Disney. Our last trip she was only 10 months so she was more content with riding in the stroller and getting out once in a while to toddle around a playground. THIS year is going to be a completely different story. She is very independent so I think it would be quite cruel of me to expect her to sit in a stroller all day-especially in the Florida heat eww. DH and I decided we would try a monkey backpack but had no intentions of trying it till Disney....well we took an hour and a half trip to an outlet mall in our area and realized halfway there we forgot our stroller. We figured we'd give the backpack a whirl.
DD loved the monkey and LOVED her independence even more. She was so good that day! I didn't hold the leash-I held her hand, but it was nice to know that in a busy spot if she suddenly saw something she wanted to see (as most toddlers do) she couldn't sprint to get it. Since that day DD is MUCH more calm in public situations and to my GREAT suprise stays by my side and reaches for MY hand. If nothing else I think it's a great teaching tool.
Additionally, the only nasty look I received was from a mother bfeeding her newborn and smoking with the other hand


Do what's best for your child (you know them better than anyone else) and the ones that will give you a nasty look for "leashing" your kids are also the ones that will be wagging fingers if you lose your child.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

That's nice

I am guessing that you misunderstood me. Sorry but if you are in front of me doing the things that I have seen then yes, I will think that you are an idiot. Having a leash doesn't mean that you get to be in your own world doing whatever while ignoring the child. So, if you are the parent who does the things that I listed in my prior post and you are in front of me then I will think you are an idiot. Those parents that I have given examples of used the leash as a babysitter because they were too lazy to be bothered.

*I am not saying parents who use leashes are lazy etc. Just the particular examples that I mentioned.*

 

[Aliceacc]

I think this has become a debate less about the use of harnesses and more about bad parenting.

Yanking your child, whether by hand or by harness, is not a kind thing to do. It's going to hurt the child or cause him to fall. Ignoring your child, on the assumption that the harness is keeping him safe, is also not highly recommended. And assuming that Disney, or any other place, is safer than home is probably the biggest mistake of all. Kids need to be watched and kept safe.

I think that any tool, whether it's a stroller or a pack and play or a harness or a swing, can be misused by parent who loses sight of the fact that it's a child using the tool. None of those tools have an inherent value-- but the ways they're used or misused might lead people to think otherwise.

So use any tool or device that will keep your kids safe and happy. But never, even with a harness, take your eyes off your child. Never think for a second that these conveniences are a substitute for good parenting.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I think this has become a debate less about the use of harnesses and more about bad parenting.

Yanking your child, whether by hand or by harness, is not a kind thing to do. It's going to hurt the child or cause him to fall. Ignoring your child, on the assumption that the harness is keeping him safe, is also not highly recommended. And assuming that Disney, or any other place, is safer than home is probably the biggest mistake of all. Kids need to be watched and kept safe.

I think that any tool, whether it's a stroller or a pack and play or a harness or a swing, can be misused by parent who loses sight of the fact that it's a child using the tool. None of those tools have an inherent value-- but the ways they're used or misused might lead people to think otherwise.

So use any tool or device that will keep your kids safe and happy. But never, even with a harness, take your eyes off your child. Never think for a second that these conveniences are a substitute for good parenting.

EXACTLY!!!!!!