Not losing your toddlers?

[TravelinGal]

We have one of the backpack style harness'. It's cute as can be, but there really is not any storage space in it. (just so you know).

One word of caution on the wrist to wrist - even with the non stretchy ones, if the child darts at the wrong time someone passing can be triped and pull your DC down at the same time. OUCH!! (and it won't feel great on your arm/shoulder either!) I'd stick with the harness if given the choice.

 

[all4fun]

I found this on Deb's AllEars and am considering getting these for my 2 kids for this trip.

http://www.whosshoesid.com/

I bought a couple of those for my ds. My MIL saw them sitting on the kitchen counter and thought they were labels for ds's shoes so someone would know who to return them to if ds lost them.

They work good on shoes that have velcro as well as regular tie laces. One thing about velcro shoes though (which is what ds pretty much wears since they're so easy to put on a wiggly toddler) is that if the velcro is losing some if it's stickiness it's easier for the ID to fall off. I lost one of the tags this way. Good thing I bought a backup!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I bought one of the puppy backpack ones. Our son is just about to take off walking. I'm planning to take it with us to WDW. My only concern is it will be sooooo hot, and to have this stuffed puppy on his back may make matters worse. I guess we'll see how it goes.

I got the puppy harness at Walmart in the baby section. I think they had a monkey one too.

 

[RuthLS]

I bought one of the puppy backpack ones. Our son is just about to take off walking. I'm planning to take it with us to WDW. My only concern is it will be sooooo hot, and to have this stuffed puppy on his back may make matters worse. I guess we'll see how it goes.

I got the puppy harness at Walmart in the baby section. I think they had a monkey one too.

I was worried about the heat too. Plus it seems a bit bulky to sit on rides-so maybe you'd have to take it off all the time. ARgh. Also, the animal head looks to be right at the childs neck in the picts. I think that would bug my son. I don't know though.

I guess at this point we are going to go with a regular harness and tell him his choice is to ride in the stroller or walk with the harness and that's that.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone!
Ruth

 

[TravelinGal]

I was worried about the heat too. Plus it seems a bit bulky to sit on rides-so maybe you'd have to take it off all the time. ARgh. Also, the animal head looks to be right at the childs neck in the picts. I think that would bug my son. I don't know though.

I guess at this point we are going to go with a regular harness and tell him his choice is to ride in the stroller or walk with the harness and that's that.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone!
Ruth

Just a thought - If you pull the backpack pocket out, you can see where it was sewn shut. It would be VERY easy to snip the thread and reach in to remove some of the stuffing and then hand sew it shut again. I was thinking about it simply because the backpack didn't seem like it would really hold anything...but the heat is a valid concern. As far as rides etc - it seems like it would be a nice soft pad for them to lean against! The backs of most of the rides are pretty hard!

The head does sit near the neck/over the shoulder - it does not seem to bother my DS at all. He plays with the straps and the feet but pretty much ignores the rest. (we haven't used it out in public yet - just getting him used to the harness at home first - next step is to add the leash...)

If you get a plain harness, you could maybe customize it...maybe find a favorite character patch and sew it on the front etc... I don't think I'd try any iron on type things though since the straps are nylon.

Edited to add- I found ours at Target in the new Eddie Bauer section in the baby area - It was the same price as other places (not paying more for the E.B. name on it).

 

[TikiGoddess]

Our boys were 2 & 4 when we went last and I did something kind of unorthodox. Both of them were really into puppies and pretending to be puppies so I had dog tags made that said IF LOST CALL and our cell numbers and then I made them tell me over and over that they would show those to a CM if they were lost. They wore them on nylon dog collars around their waists like a belt. Sounds goofy, but they loved them-they would even remind me in the mornings to put them on them. The other thing that helped dh and I tremendously was dressing them in either shirts that matched or matching colors. That was they were easy to spot.

 

[AllyCatTapia]

I went thru the harness debate with my son going to Mexico (guadalajara, big city, palza, shopping, etc). Well, after all teh debate and whatnot, he wouldn't have ANY part of it. Had a big to do trying to claw his way out of it!

So be sure tot ry it out ahead fo time!

 

[prestonsmomma]

We have used our wrist "leash" on our DS several times at Dollywood (we could have used it at Disney in November but I can't find it). He hates wearing it on his wrist though so we used to put it around the strap on his overalls or through a belt loop on his pants. That way he can't reach it to take it off but it also doesn't irritate him so bad either.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

We have used the harness at WDW several times when my daughter was young. She would tug at sometimes but got used to it. It made the whole trip alot less stressful for us and consequently, for her. I say use whatever you want to secure your child. If you get a funny look or two, so what? Is that worth losing a child over? Even if lost a few minutes, it is terrifying. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Callalily6]

The wrist thing used to make my DD trip when she was little - we never used it. And the crowds in May are big enough that it will be really easy to get seperated if you dont hold hands. We ALWAYS used a stroller in the parks to avoid getting seperated.

The most common places for your kids to get pererated form you are bathrooms that have more than 1 entrance/ exit and while meeting characters. My brother walked off at Semase Place when he was 4 to follow a character through the park. It pretty freaky when that happens -

We write our kids name, address, and my cell number on the inside of their shoe. I told my DD when she was 18 monts to give it to a unifromed person if she got lost. And they will look at it - and no one else can see it while the chidls shoes are on.

Have fun!

 

[KristinU]

If you use a wrist to wrist one, PLEASE be careful! Those are only reccomended for ages 5 & up! The reason is, a shoulder can become dislocated very easily in the younger ones. Something as simple as a tug in the wrong way, or someone else tripping over your teether, could easily dislocate a little one's shoulder.

Yep, I totally agree - my DS had "nursemaid's elbow" happen to him a few months ago because of a twisty tantrum while holding a grown-up's hand - their little joints can be dislocated so easily since they are so pilable.

Anyone who says anything negative about "kids on leashes", obviously doesnt have kids...

Or a dog that they love...I've said this before when this topic came up - the way I see it is that I love my dog enough to put a leash on her when we walk to ensure her safety, wouldn't I want to ensure at least that same level of safety for my child???

 

[Doting Grandma]

I found this on Deb's AllEars and am considering getting these for my 2 kids for this trip.



I purchased the whosshoesid for my 4yo GD for our trip last week. They gave us a lot of peace of mind, but thankfully we never lost sight of her. I thought she might not want to wear it -- she's a finicky dresser -- but she thought it was neat. Thanks again.

 

[meglovesbelle]

Do not listen to any naysayers. You know where your child is at all times, we even used it at the Grand Canyon, Safety First Harness, very strong as my DD tests it oftens by thinking she can fly with it on. We purchased ours at Burlington. I get all kinds of looks when I have the dog and my DD, but she is just as important as my pet so why not restrain her. She has much more fun when she can walk and do things herself. Just my opinion, we are going in September and you can bet your bottom dollar she will be wearing her harness.