Leashes for kids??? Is it wrong??

[famofsix]

They have "leashes" at Wamart (I think) that are like a back pack that has a stuffed animal on the back.

I have to be honest before I read the DIS boards regarding these harnesses, my opinion was "why on earth would anyone need these things?" However, when we went to Disney in APril, I saw several parents of toddler age kids with the backpack type harness and it appeared to me that everyone was smiling in the happiest place on earth.
To the OP, if you and your family find this works... then go for it. I can't believe how worked up people get about this topic. I can understand that some people might misuse a device like this but when we went, we just saw happy families. We also saw families that held hands or used a stroller but I guess now that I have been to the World I don't see this as a big deal if it works for you. I am the mom of four and have never used one of these devices but maybe my little one might need on one day if we go back to Disney soon. I am much more open to it now that I have seen it used at DISNEY. I would venture to say that if you are reading the DIS and trying to figure this out you aren't likely to be the type that would drag your kid around disney abusing the harness. I did see some unhappy families when we went too but no one with harness issues.
Just my 2 cents

 

[2sweetangels]

my opinoin is that kids are not animals, but that is just me. Im going to WDW in September and my DD's will be strapped in to thier stroller if not holding hands with an adult. I don't bash people for using them for I wouldn't want others to bash me for one of my parenting skills, so if your all for the leash, go for it.

 

[sameyeyam]

my opinoin is that kids are not animals

I understand what you are saying, but all humans are animals. We are certainly not vegetables or minerals. As animals, we have the ability to move about freely, and as is the case with some human toddlers, we have the ability to move fast and get into dangerous situations in a couple of seconds.

I think what really sets us apart from most other animals, is that we have the brain capacity to invent and use tools (such as harnesses). Many species of animals have a high mortality rate with their young because they wander off and get into danger quick. I am very thankful that we have the intelligence to use these tools. I look at the harness much the same as a seatbelt. Yes I should pay extremely close attention to the road, never have an accident or slam on the brakes, but I am thankful to have the seatbelts on my kids in case of an accident. Using a harness on children at Disney is just a little extra insurance on their protection, much the same as the car seatbelt.

I do appreciate the fact that you don't care to use harnesses and don't bash others that do. It is really important to recognize that all children are different. I used one with my daughter, she would take off running and get into trouble faster than you could blink an eye. On the other hand I never even considered using one on my son, he was cautious and my biggest problem with him was "unpeeling" him from clinging to my leg in crowds.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

sameyeyam, I commend you on such a dignified response to that statement.

 

[tiff211]

As I always say, you do you!! I never needed one but if I did I wouldn't hesitate. I'd take on all the naysayers in a heartbeat instead of that dreaded feeling when DS or DD has taken off the split secnd you took your eyes off them. Nothing more frightening. Why do they love that game so much?!

 

[sammielynn]

I used them for my boys. My problem was that I am tall and holding a toddlers hand made my back hurt. Now that they are teens and have cell phones, mom does the parks alone while they go their own way.

 

[fakereadhed]

I understand what you are saying, but all humans are animals. We are certainly not vegetables or minerals. As animals, we have the ability to move about freely, and as is the case with some human toddlers, we have the ability to move fast and get into dangerous situations in a couple of seconds.

Well said.

 

[allonte]

Use it if you feel you need to. I personally have the little stuffed animal leash thingy from walmart but I think the doggy gets on DD's nerves. I will however, be getting another (probably tomorrow come to think of it) for our Disney trip next week. My DD is super friendly (gets it from me) and a wanderer (gets it from her father). Not a good combonation. She'll go to anyone and is a quick little joker. If she is not in her stroller, she will be straped in. I could care less what anyone else has to say about it because I feel its what's best for us. Oh, she's not a big hand holder either so that wont work.

 

[KJMAX1]

Tiff211 You girls are SOOO cute!

 

[BooScout]

I have no problem with people using leashes. My mom used one for my younger sister in the late 1970s when we ran errands. We only had one car, which dad took to work, so she had to herd three small kids across busy intersections on a regular basis. When a kid refuses to hold hands and darts off at a moment's notice (like my sister used to), I'd rather see them on a leash and safe with their family than lost or worse.

It sounds like alot of people at Disney use leashes so I wouldn't worry about glares. And not everyone who takes a long look is glaring. Some are just curious.

The only time leashes bug me is when the kid is walking one way and the parent is walking another. But on the upside of that, at least the leash prevents me from accidentally cutting a child off from their family by walking between them.

 

[sap1227]

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

This is my complaint with them as well. They are just too long and that makes them unsafe. When there are so many people there the long "reins" are hard to see and very easy to trip over.

Christy

 

[juligrl]

Before I had a very independantly minded three year old I might have said "leashes are for dogs". Now I might say something like "where do I get one of those things?"

Whatever you have to do to keep your kid safe, I say do it.

 

[mill4023]

DW and I both used to wonder what was wrong with parents that they had to put a leash on their child.
Then we had kids and experienced that stage where they are old enough to run and young enough to not understand that they need to stay close to mom and dad.
So when we went to WDW this past March, we bought one of the monkey backpack leashes for our very energetic 2 yr old. It was very helpful for those times when she was really tired of being in the stroller and just wanted a little freedom. With so many people in the parks, it's really hard to keep your eyes on a toddler 100% of the time and it only takes a second for them to run off. So it made us feel much better and not stressed when she was attached. That doesn't mean we didn't pay attention to her, just that we could safely take 10 seconds to keep our eyes on our other 3 children without worrying about losing our 2 yr old.

The animal backpack leashes are so much nicer. Our daughter actually wanted to wear it and we didn't really notice any glares from other people. Although it did still take awhile before she got over the irritation of us not letting go of her "backpack".

 

[freckles and boo]

DW and I both used to wonder what was wrong with parents that they had to put a leash on their child.

I felt the same way. I am a much better parent now that I actually have children!

 

[noodleknitter]

I felt the same way. I am a much better parent now that I actually have children!

Now, you see, I am the opposite! My "future children" never had attitudes, snot on their sleeves, hormones or behaviors! Much easier to parent those children...

 

[Luv'sTink]

No, it is not wrong. My childs saftey ALWAYS came first. We had the kind that went around his wrist and mine, which I usually hooked to his overalls or belt loop.

 

[tiff211]

I can't believe that anyone would even give it a second thought about what someone else is doing at WDW. I am wracking my brain to remember if I saw anyone with the child restraint HARNESS!! I was too busy keeping an eye on my little ones who thank god are old enough for me to put Holy fear in them if they even thinking about running off!!

Now next year when we go and the baby is 19 months, we'll see how she is......

I know if I saw someone rolling their eyes, I would tell them to get some business and stay out of mine!! OOOOH, I can't stand that! Even if I don't agree with what you are doing with your child, I understand the battle and hope you win the war! And I will give you that encouraging smile that says I have been there, my sister, I have been there!!

 

[Disneyrsh]

I know if I saw someone rolling their eyes, I would tell them to get some business and stay out of mine!! OOOOH, I can't stand that!

And it's WWE (I think that's it) Smackdown at EPCOT! News at 11!