Leashes on kids

[maxiesmom]

I have no problem with them as long as the parent still pays attention to their child. At the mall I have seen a parent on one side of the aisle, and the child on the other side, with the leash stretched out in between. That is a huge safety hazzard! Just because your child is leashed doesn't mean that you can stop paying attention to what they are doing.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

While out shopping once with all 5 of my children, we saw a toddler on a leash. DD4 found it hilarious, she said, "Look, they're walking people."

My little ones go in a stroller, in the middle helps hold onto the stroller, the oldest know to stay next to me.

 

[ppan77]

I bought one for my ds when he was 18 months for his first trip. I found we didnt need it. He didnt stray from us. Just his personality. I am packing it again for our next trip with dd who will be 22 months. She has a very different personality and will run out the door and down the driveway without hesitation if I let her. But that's at home, at Disney she may be very clingy. We will have to wait and see if its needed but I am defintely bringing it!!

 

[indimom]

I guess your saying that if you raise your kids right, you will not need one. I've worked in the field of child development for the last 13 years. I've taken over 10 children ranging in age from infant to kindergartener for walks without harnesses and only infant in the stroller. That's great if you have children who will follow directions and behave.
BUT, when DD was two and DS was an infant, I had to take them weekly to the grocery store to shop for my church-run day care. (DH worked weekends and evenings so he was not an option and the job had to be done.) I had the infant seat latched onto the seat of the grocery cart. DD would not fit in the back with the groceries and fought hand holding all the way through the store (This was a store with open racks so she could climb through them to another aisle. I finally bought a harness and used it.
I'll be the first parent to say that DD HATED this thing. She cried the entire time. I got more glares than you can imagine. Only one person spoke kindly to me (a grandmotherly sort) who told me as I was leaving the store "you are doing the right thing." It really only took that one occasion to straighten out the problem with my daughter, as the threat kept her in line thereafter; but I would have used it again if necessary.

 

[~Kristina~]

I don't use them, and probably would never use them. I've been lucky enough that my kids don't run off. But to each their own. They know their kid better than I do.

 

[JUJU814]

How does everyone feel about kids who have leashes at the parks? Even if it is one of those cute monkey backpack style leashes.

I think parents need to do what they think is best and not worry about what anyone else thinks. It's no one elses business what you do.

If one doesn't like the leashes, don't use them. It really doesn't concern them if other parents use them and really isn't anyone's place to judge.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I don't use them. Will never use them. I don't like them at all.
If you want to use them then go crazy with it.

 

[disney*mom*82]

We have one, bought it for our 12 yr old when he was a little guy. I dont recall using it with him at all, now our 9 yr old I remember using it for her first DW trip when she was just barely two. Only used it a few times. We still have the same backpack leash thing now and with our 2 yr old, we used it her 2nd trip to DW, when she was 17 months. I used it twice, boith times were at DTD when she wanted out of the stroller to walk around. She liked it and didnt mind it at all, I kept her very close and it wasnt a hazard to other people. She was just very, very small, so short for her age that her arm would be over stretched to hold my hand while walking. Her last visit, we didnt use it at all, but didnt bring it. Ide use it if I need it

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

If it's good enough for the family dog, why not the kids. After all, from my observation, it seems that kids to most folks I see are nothing different from a family pet.

That is the rudest post I've seen in a LONG time on the DIS.

 

[DISNEYNV]

OMG...we have the monkey backpack for my son and I am certain that if it was not on him we would have lost him a million times...at the mall, the parks, or other crowded events. He is a little over two and a runner. He will look back and smile or laugh at you but keep on going. Dont worry about what others think. If your kid needs one I say USE IT!!!!!

 

[disney_dreaming_mom]

My son was an early walker and has LOTS of energy. No matter how attentive of a parent one is, some children (such as my son) really need a leash of sorts in very crowded areas such as theme parks or airports. We fly frequently for business and before we bought his monkey backpack he once managed to un-do the harness in his stroller and jump out of it in the middle of the airport running through the sea of people. It was a nightmare. He tripped and fell to the ground. He was lucky not to have been injured or injured someone. Since then we always have him wear his monkey backpack in crowded areas. I feel it is for the child'd safety.

 

[calypso726]

I don't have kids but I do have nephews. I'd rather see them on a leash than on a milk carton.

 

[DisneyClown]

I don't have kids but I do have nephews. I'd rather see them on a leash than on a milk carton.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

I would definately use a "saftey strap" for my child if I thought it was necessary. I never had to with my DD5 because she stuck to me like glue and still does I think a lot has to do with the temperment of the child, "better safe than sorry"

 

[DisneyGerry]

against them

but they make them much cuter with teddy bears, etc these days they dont look as bad as they did in past

 

[Caitsmama]

No, i don't like them, never used them, actually i am surprised at how many here do use them. That being said,
I wouldn't ever tell someone that they shouldn't use them however, to each his / her own.

 

[imortalcandy]

I bought a mickey one for DS 2 and a minnie one for DD 3 for our trip in 2 weeks. My kids run so its necessary for them to be harnessed, I also think making a child sit the entire day or be held is cruel so let them be free! (or so they think) We are all going on this trip to have fun, not to force our kids to sit the entire time and wonder why they keep crying. Without these harnesses we would not enjoy ourselves, We would be frustrated with the kids crying and DD 12 mad cause she cant do anything because we wanna leave.

 

[Swmr359]

against them

but they make them much cuter with teddy bears, etc these days they dont look as bad as they did in past

Modern ones are cuter but easier for the kids to get out of. My brother and I would have unhooked the teddy bears in a flash. Ours had the latch on the back.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

We just got back from WDW and my brother had the cute monkey strap for his 1 year old. It worked great because he was able to get out of his stroller and run around a bit, whereas without it, he would probably have spent more time in the stroller.

I know my uncle came with us and had an issue with it, but I think he forgets he had one for his son when he was younger too!

 

[AdamsPrincess]

Omg...I thought those things are horrible. My children are not animals. They will sit in the stroller and are very well behaved and they don't climb all over

AND THEN...

I have 2 toddlers now. I am getting the boys each one of those cute monkey ones they sell.

ha ha...