Leashes for kids??? Is it wrong??

[pperfectmom]

Jeepgirl30-Thanks for the great idea. I will just tell my kids that we need the harness so Mommy doesn't get lost. Maybe that will go over easier. I think I will look for the animal backpack type. The kids will like those better than the traditional ones..

 

[mommyceratops]

You know DH and I SWORE we would never use one. That said we took 2 with us to Disney in Feb, I would rather people think I am a mean parent than have a lost child! Bottom line do what is safest for your child and if that means putting them in a harness do it. At least you wont have to worry about losing her.

Check out the cute backpack ones but check the witdth around they were to small for our children.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We just got back and saw lots of toddlers with the monkey back pack on. The tail (removeable) is the adult handle. The kids seemed to be happy with then on.

 

[PreppyPolyMom]

We have 5 children and I have never had a "leash" until now with the 5th. I bought a thing called an "Opair" it's a fanny pack with a leash attached. the leash is retractable. It connects to an animal fanny pack that the child wears. We got the bear for my DS. Here is the web site. It has worked out great so far and we will use it at Disney in August. When DS is out of his stroller he has to have it on. Fortunately, he likes it!!

Here is the link:

http://www.opair.net/

 

[disneyfan6301]

I, like so many others, swore I would never use "one of those things". Then, when we planned our first WDW trip in June with our then 2 almost 3 year old, I decided that maybe "those things" weren't so bad. I also told my DS that it was so Mommy wouldn't get lost--he felt like the one keeping up with me instead of the other way around . Another good thing is that when holding hands, especially in the summer months, your hands get hot and sweaty. This way, you don't have to hold hands unless you child just wants to.

If used properly, I would not be without one at WDW with a child under 5!

 

[all4fun]

DS wore his on several of our trips and we never got any negative remarks about it. Like a pp said, if it makes your trip less stressful then go ahead and use it.

In our case, my ds had some motor skill issues (he was very premature) and the harness allowed him the freedom to walk while helping us to prevent him from falling too much. It was a real life saver on the treehouse at MK & at DL. One time he was walking down the stairs near the bottom of the Treehouse and of course there was a line forming behind us since I was holding the leash and letting him navigate the stairs without any help from me (something he'd been working on with his physical therapist a lot). One really nice mom told her kids to be patient because the little guy was just learning how to walk on stairs. I was so appreciative of her understanding and also kudo's to her for teaching her kids patience. If I had been them, I would have been annoyed also (lol).

 

[mama4]

It is wrong to let kids fly free in the face of danger.

I have a ds2 that is nothing like my other two. He is fast and can dart out into traffic, water, you name it, faster than I can keep up with him.

This sounds like my youngest ds. I actually purchased a harness to use in the mountains last Oct (I kept picturing him taking off and jumping off the side of a mountain). He is soooo fast! We never used it because dh doesn't like them and said he could keep up with him...and he did. Now, since ds has gotten a little older (two and a half ) he seems to be better about listening and staying close in crowds (I think he's also leery of the strangers around him) so we didn't use the harness at Disney last April and he did fine. The only places I am still paranoid about him running away from me is near traffic (parking lots and even our driveway) because he'll see a bird or think he hears an airplane and just take off to go look at it running much much faster than I can (even when i'm not 8 mths pregnant ). I always keep a hand on him near/around traffic and I barricade my driveway when they are riding bikes. So, in short, I don't think it's wrong if you use it as a backup precautionary type thing and not so that you don't have to watch and keep up with them. If we don't try to teach them (even while using the harness) to stay close to us, they may still be running off when they are 4-5 yrs old. In fact, my neices were really bad about doing this last year and they were 5 and 7.

 

[kkevcamsmom]

We have never used them. I run a daycare and have had parents bring one from home when we go places. I still didn't use it. My daycare kids are just like mine and are expected to follow the rules. There have been many sad days where we had to leave the playground, library, or petting zoo because they would not listen and stay close by. This is one rule I am not nice about, I am VERY firm when I tell them and VERY strict about it. I will not beg and plead with my kids or someone elses to hold my hand, they either do it, or back home we go.

I tried to teach mine from the time they were just tiny they had to stay with us PERIOD. If they didn't we would leave and we actually did. We did 'training' sessions in the mall, grocery store.... so when we hit the parks they knew what to do. We had ours to Six Flags several times with know problems.

We also started "Please hold my wrist" instead of hand with our now 5 yr old. He too hated holding hands but had no issuse holding my wrist. Also, DH is in charge of one kid and I have one kid we keep an eye on so that we aren't confused over who is keeping track of whom. Our DS15 does good on her own and helps watch the boys too.

If your child is really head strong I would get the leash. Better to have the stares then your child missing. I don't like them personally but I would never look at a parent who uses one like they are strange. I completely understand the need for them, and if my kids just wouldn't do it, I would use one too

Lori

 

[NotUrsula]

I know it's nitpicky, but I *really* hate seeing or hearing a safety rein referred to as a "leash". The reason that it bothers me so much is that it perverts the sense of the reason for their use.

Anyone who is an experienced horseman knows that reins are not used to hold back a horse -- the rein is a tool for guiding the horse to do what you wish for it to do. The same applies to safety reins on toddlers. Used properly they are a tool for safe guidance.

That said, the reins available in the US tend to be rather poorly designed, and most have a strap that is too long. The best brand that I've used is one from the UK called Clippasafe, which has a much better design, with a short strap that fastens to the harness at two points, on either side slightly behind the child's armpits. If you drop the rein it is short enough to clear the ground, which is how it should be. Here is an example of how this design looks in use: http://www.clippasafe.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2&products_id=11

 

[lyzziesmom]

I have said it on another thread and I'll say it again: I used to think parents who kept their kids on leashes were just too lazy to properly teach their children about safety. Then my 2nd DD came along, and I firmly believe that without the leash, she would be either housebound or dead. The girl thinks it is hilarious to run away, especially in public and in parking lots/streets. More than once in the store I have fallen for her puppy dog eyes and pleas of "Mommy, down, pleeeeeeeeas!" and let her out of the shopping cart, only to have to abandon the cart 10 seconds later and make a mad dash down the aisles (or out the front door!) after my shrieking, laughing child. So if you feel you may need a leash, by all means, get one & use it! I have had many many parents and even police officers stop me to tell me what a fabulous thing I am doing by keeping my rambunctious child safely near me, while still allowing her freedom to explore. She has learned to love her leash, and even will ask for it sometimes, because she knows it means she can walk rather than ride in the stroller.

On a side note, I personally don't like the backpack animal type leashes. Yes they are cute, but how comfy are they for the child when they are sitting in their stroller? My DD is in & out of the stroller so often, that I just can't see having to remove the harness every time.

 

[disnutt]

That said, the reins available in the US tend to be rather poorly designed, and most have a strap that is too long. The best brand that I've used is one from the UK called Clippasafe, which has a much better design, with a short strap that fastens to the harness at two points, on either side slightly behind the child's armpits. If you drop the rein it is short enough to clear the ground, which is how it should be. Here is an example of how this design looks in use: http://www.clippasafe.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2&products_id=11

I ordered a Clippasafe on ebay and we've been sooooooo pleased w/ it!

Never needed anything like this w/ my 2 DD then we had DS! I wouldn't dare try WDW w/o it. We've been twice and used it. He's almost 3 now and calls it his 'backpack' when we're at WDW (haven't used it anywhere else). It is handiest when I'm paying for a purchase and trying to handle cash/debit card transactions. I can loop it around my arm and never fear that he'll sneak away.

I would definitely recommend this brand! You may have to order it from the UK as I couldn't find one here 2 yrs ago when we bought it off ebay.

 

[mama4]

That said, the reins available in the US tend to be rather poorly designed, and most have a strap that is too long. The best brand that I've used is one from the UK called Clippasafe, which has a much better design, with a short strap that fastens to the harness at two points, on either side slightly behind the child's armpits. If you drop the rein it is short enough to clear the ground, which is how it should be. Here is an example of how this design looks in use: http://www.clippasafe.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2&products_id=11

That is a much better design! Should take care of the problem with some parents letting kids run too far ahead. It makes much more sense to keep the child closer to you (which is what you want them to learn to do), and this "rein" would ensure that.

 

[SamIAm21]

I saw a lot of Moms and Dads with wrist or harness leashes on their little ones in Disneyland this past weekend. I told a couple of them "good for you". I used one for my daughter and she loved it and so did I. No one should judge you whether you decide to use one or not. They will not be there to help you if or when your little one gets lost in a crowd of people, so don't worry about what they have to say. I lost sight of my daughter, who is now 6, during the Block Party Bash in California Adventure this past Friday and I know I went through about ten seconds of terror before hearing her screaming out for me... Mommmmmmmmyyyyyy!!!

Do what you need to do to have an enjoyable, safe trip!

 

[formernyer]

My kids are one year plus one day apart. They're 9 and 10 now, but when they were toddlers I occasionally used the leashes. At the time they were a lot less accepted than they are now and a lady once told me that if I wanted a dog I should have gone to the pound instead of having kids.

I didn't use the leashes frequently, but if I had gone to WDW when they were 1 and 2 I certainly would have used them! I was there this past March and I saw many, many toddlers on leashes.

I did see one family (coincidentally it was at WDW) who I came very close to saying something to though, and I ultimately decided to bite my tongue. It was a mother, father, and two kids who appeared to be around 9 and 11. BOTH OF THESE CHILDREN WERE BEING ESCORTED BY THEIR PARENTS ON LEASHES!!! I think there comes a time when it's borderline emotional abuse. Yes, we all want to protect our kids, but there's got to be a limit to the overprotectiveness. I know if I was one of those children I would have preferred to not go to WDW at all rather than have to be stared at all day by everyone who passed by. I personally wouldn't use the leashes for kids over age 3, but I can understand where some parents might choose to continue it until maybe age 5. These kids were preteens though...I felt very bad for them.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I did see one family (coincidentally it was at WDW) who I came very close to saying something to though, and I ultimately decided to bite my tongue. It was a mother, father, and two kids who appeared to be around 9 and 11. BOTH OF THESE CHILDREN WERE BEING ESCORTED BY THEIR PARENTS ON LEASHES!!! I think there comes a time when it's borderline emotional abuse. Yes, we all want to protect our kids, but there's got to be a limit to the overprotectiveness. I know if I was one of those children I would have preferred to not go to WDW at all rather than have to be stared at all day by everyone who passed by. I personally wouldn't use the leashes for kids over age 3, but I can understand where some parents might choose to continue it until maybe age 5. These kids were preteens though...I felt very bad for them.

I can definetly agree that 9 & 10 is a little old but it is possible that the kids might have been autistic. It is very hard to tell if a child is autistic just by looking at them but I know some people who have children that are and they will take off running if given the opportunity not for any other reason then they like to run. So maybe it was for their own safety. Just a thought.

 

[twinspluscade]

We used them once or twice when our twins were young. We had 3 kids in 17 months (twin girls and then our son was born when the twins were 17 months old), and at times we had to have a way to keep our twins close. They both were runners! So, in your case I would definetely use one--especially since you have two little ones.
It seems as if most of the negative comments come from people who have either no children.....or children spaced 2+ years apart. Those of us who have kids closely-spaced or have multiples know it's a whole different ball game going out in public when you have 2 or more toddlers/infants to watch!

Kelly

 

[Disneyrsh]

You can use them.

But if I see you, I'm going to roll my eyes at you. So will a lot of other people.

As usual, I have an unpopular opinion, but for every one here going, yahoo, now you don't have to worry, you've removed all risk from your child's world, there's somebody out there thinking "yeah, not trying very hard, are we?"

I have two very willful daughters 18 months apart, and it took constant vigilance and constant work with them to teach them when it was ok to wander around, and when it wasn't.

Including deliberately letting them 'get lost' (they didn't know where I was, I knew where they were).

How else are they supposed to learn boundaries?

Leashes are such a passive form of parenting, it just doesn't teach them anything.

My kids saw other kids on leashes at Disney and asked me, "why are they walking their kids, Mommy?" And I shrugged and said "because the kids can't mind their parents."

From their perspective it was one heck of a reinforcement of my wishes, because neither one wanted, at 3 and 4, to have all choice removed from them.

 

[formernyer]

it is possible that the kids might have been autistic.

I'm almost certain they were developmentally normal children. Most autistic children have at least some degree of speech impairment and both of these kids seemed completely normal in every way.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I forgot to mention earlier, the only "negative" comments I have gotten, which were not really negative at all, were from other children - usually they will stare and then say in a rather surprised manner, "You've got your baby on a leash!" (as if I didn't notice!) I usually just will say "yes I do, that is to keep her safe because she is too little to understand that she needs to stay close to her mommy". The kids all say something along the lines of "oh cool" or "good idea" and go on their merry way.

I find it all quite amusing really.

 

[SnowWhite]

Seriously, do whatever makes you feel safe, and a hearty "whatever" to the critics.

Well said


My DD9 never required one, always stayed close. DS3 TOTALLY different story, wouldn't hesitate to try one with him for the peace of mind it would give us.