Okay...Who has used a leash on their child at the Parks??

[Gymbomom]

We are fast aproaching our Disney trip......and I have been worried about something.....

I have to tell you I am a paranoid mom who worries about "losing" a child.
I have a very energetic 4 year old. Who like most other preschoolers doesn't always listen or obey mom. He is very shy, but not scared of walking away from mom when he sees something of interest. He is small for his age and looks 3.

When we went to Disney when he was 2 years old, I used the full harness leash on him. I got many raised eyebrows and even some negative comments. But, for me to let him out of that stroller, I had to have the harness on him for my peace of mind.

I had thought about getting the wrist children's leash and attaching it to his belt loop not his wrist during this trip.
Mainly when I let him out of the stroller to walk or from ride to ride in Fantasyland.


If I do this, I am sure to get negative remarks, but are they unfounded??
Is it wrong to use a "leash" on him.

I would do it out of LOVE for my child and his safety, NOT out of convience because I don't want to watch him.

Any input or "flames" will be taken into consideration. TIA!!

 

[jorodopo]

There will always be someone who disagrees with every aspect of how anyone raises their children. Remember that for everyone that raises eyebrows negatively there is someone else out there who approves.

You might want to consider using the harness this time also. My kids tend to get a little clutzy when they are excited and I saved them from hitting too hard when they tripped more than once with the harness. There have been previous posts in other threads about the kids being able to undo the wrist band (and I think attaching it to a clothing rack if I remember right).

Have a great trip!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I am considering the same thing for our April trip with my DS2 & DS5. The 2yr old thinks he's 5, has no fear, and does NOT like his stroller.
One suggestion..............at our Walmart (East Tennessee), they have these "backpack buddies" in the baby department. It's a stuffed animial in the shape of a monkey or a dog, and the stuffed animals arms wrap around the childs arms like a backpack. The stuffed animal has a long tail (like 5 ft long) that mom can hold onto.
So it's a "leash", but your little guy thinks it's his backpack shaped like a cute stuffed animal.

 

[disney1fan]

If I do this, I am sure to get negative remarks, but are they unfounded??
Is it wrong to use a "leash" on him.

I don't think it's wrong to use a "leash" at all. What would be wrong, IMO is to go, worry nonstop about the kid and fail to have as good a time as you could. If you know your son tends to walk away, just use the leash and make sure everybody has a good time! That said, I prefer the one that looks like a bracelet with velcro. Actually, last time we went one of my girls asked me to put on the "safety bracelet". I guess it made HER fell safer...
Have a great trip!

 

[moniot]

Yes I used a leash. I bought actual dog leashes with the clips and I clipped it to their belt bags. I have two children and some times one would be one way and one the other. I took it off when not needed. It was not so long that it wrapped around or got in the way of other people. I watch my kids but using this gave them their hands free to eat that Mickey bar or look at stuff. My kids liked the little extra freedom it gave them and I knew that if a crowd came through they would not get pushed away. It made my vacation so much more relaxing. It was the fear of loosing them that stressed me out the most not the fact I had watch them.

 

[robinb]

I think that 4 is probably too old for a kid leash. I have no problems with using them on toddlers, but not older kids. He's not 2 anymore and he should be better about staying with you than on your last trip. Why don't you try it without the leash and if you're too stressed, make a Wal*Wart run?

 

[labdogs42]

My kid is only 10 months old and I already know that someday I'm going to have to use a leash on him! He's into everything! I think if it makes you feel more comfortable and it keeps your child safe, I'm all for it! Who cares if you get a few dirty looks from strangers? Do what you need to do for your peace of mind and your child's safety.

BTW, I wonder who gets more dirty looks -- a mom with a 4 year old on a leash or a mom breastfeeding in public? (just a joke, folks, I'm a BF mom so that's why that came to mind!)

 

[Gymbomom]

BTW, I wonder who gets more dirty looks -- a mom with a 4 year old on a leash or a mom breastfeeding in public? (just a joke, folks, I'm a BF mom so that's why that came to mind!)

Well I have done both....LOL....

I think I might bring it and only use it when needed. I think about the World of Disney Store, and I get SO nervous!!!
And maybe Fantasyland..........

Thanks for the advice all!!!!!!!

 

[salmoneous]

<flame suit> I think Disney would be a better experience for everybody if more parents put their kids on leashes. </suit>

If your kid can't be trusted at Disney without one, of course use it. Forget what other people way do or say. Your kids, your responsibility.

Now if your kid is 4 and can't be trusted anywhere without one, then you've got bigger problems : )

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

I understand, I was always so worried I would lose DD in a crowd. She becomes so focused in her surroundings she doesn't even hear me speak to her and she just walks towards whatever has caught her attention. When she was 2 we took her to the county fair. I put a harness on her so that she could walk and enjoy the lights etc, but not run off and get lost in the crowds. We actually had a father of 3 little ones stop us and ask where we bought the harness. I told him Wal-Mart, and he turned to his wife and said, "lets get to Wal-Mart and buy those things, then we'll come back". I do have to say, that it is harder to envision a 4 year old with the harness, although had one fit DD at that age I probably would have used it a time or two. I found it easier to rent the larger kid strollers and push it that to try to keep up with her on foot Oh well, parenting is a joy and a pain, it just varies from moment to moment. And who cares what others think...you gotta do what's best for you and your children!

 

[alikat99]

Ok, I'll be the other side of the coin. I do not use a "leash" on my children, and kind of have a hard time with the full-harness leashes that some people use. Personally, I also had a 2 yo that was very active and would wander if given the chance. However, for me (and I said for ME), the full-harness leashes seem too much like things for your pet.

We decided that we did need something to keep her with us, but we used the wrist to wrist option. This way, we were both connected, but it was just that each of us had something around our wrist. For us, it was more an extension of us holding her hand than a "leash" that we had attached to her back and were holding on to. And, unlike many children that I see that do not like their harnesses (or the backpack buddies), my DD enjoyed that she had a little bit of freedom, but that we were equals with our wrist straps. And actually, she used to want to use it, as opposed to dreading it's use. And, she recognized that mommy or daddy had to put it on their wrist too.

No flames here, just the option that we chose for ourselves.

 

[MEM]

I used the full harness leash on both children and no one made a negative comment -- in fact, many people asked me where they could get one! I am much more concerned with keeping my children out of harm's way than worrying that I am treating them like a pet. It beats yanking their arm out of the socket and it seemed to me that the kids felt like they had some degree of freedom.

 

[jendon1997]

I got the same response. Everyone wanted to know where I got it. Disney should sell some there.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

Ok, I'll be the other side of the coin. I do not use a "leash" on my children, and kind of have a hard time with the full-harness leashes that some people use. Personally, I also had a 2 yo that was very active and would wander if given the chance. However, for me (and I said for ME), the full-harness leashes seem too much like things for your pet.

We decided that we did need something to keep her with us, but we used the wrist to wrist option. This way, we were both connected, but it was just that each of us had something around our wrist. For us, it was more an extension of us holding her hand than a "leash" that we had attached to her back and were holding on to. And, unlike many children that I see that do not like their harnesses (or the backpack buddies), my DD enjoyed that she had a little bit of freedom, but that we were equals with our wrist straps. And actually, she used to want to use it, as opposed to dreading it's use. And, she recognized that mommy or daddy had to put it on their wrist too.

No flames here, just the option that we chose for ourselves.

I'm glad that worked for you, but please do not judge others for using the harness vest as treating their children like pets. We tried the wrist ones but DD hated it. Because they were velcro she would pull it apart and take it off. She never minded the vest. Each child is different and what works for one may not work for another.

 

[Goofyta]

If it works for you, then do it. i would rather have my child and get nasty looks then have him lost or taken from me. My friend uses the harness on her 2 year old at the zoo all the time. It works great for them. I think putting the wrist one on his beltloop is a great idea!! How many times have I held on the shirt of my 7 year old when we are in a crowd.

 

[lclark0621]

We used one when we went last year (DS was 21 months). And we will use one again when we go in March.

I do not use it as a "leash". I am not mindlessly walking my "pet". I have a constant eye on my DS. I am walking WITH my DS. It is just added safety.

I look at it this way. A child's natural instinct is to explore their world. In a stroller they are completely confind & can't do that. With a SAFTEY harness, they can walk along, exploring their world & being safe.

Seriously, WHAT is the difference between having a child strapped into a stroller, and walking along with a safety harness?

BTW, I use a stroller to when DS is to tired to walk & to heavy to carry...LOL!

But if people want to pick, I would think a stroller the "worse" option. A kid is just stuck there, no way to stretch is legs, etc.

Oh & one more thing, MOST of those wrist to wrist connectors are reccomended for age 5 & up. There is a "chance" of wrists or shoulders becoming dislocated when using those. Now the chance is not very large. And it is probably more for people who use those things as actual leashes (the "I have my child connected so I dont need to watch as I yank them along" people). But since the toddler & preschooler bodies are so young & still forming, their joints can pop out more easily.

Just something my doctor told me about them. She said she has seen it happen a couple of times.

 

[all4fun]

I have used the full harness w/leash on my toddler at WDW and at DL and we never really got any nasty looks or remarks. I did get some of the "where did you get that?" or "I wish we had one of those when my dc was little!" though.

One thing I always suggest is keeping it rather short so it doesn't become a tripping hazard for someone, putting your child and the other person in harms way. I have seen a child at WDW with the wrist type on attached to a stretchy cord (kind of like a telephone cord) and lagging behind the adults she was w/by several feet. It would have been easy for someone to walk inbetween them w/out noticing the leash and both of them getting hurt.

 

[tracilicious]

Well I have done both....LOL....

I think I might bring it and only use it when needed. I think about the World of Disney Store, and I get SO nervous!!!
And maybe Fantasyland...

I've breastfed a toddler in public while he was wearing a leash. Do I get extra points?

I second the dog/monkey leash. Ds loved his at DL this past spring. He still loves it and wears it around the house sometimes.

 

[labdogs42]

I've breastfed a toddler in public while he was wearing a leash. Do I get extra points?

EXCELLENT!! 50 points for you!!

 

[KeepSwimming]

LOL...you guys are cracking me up!!!

I've never used a leash on one of my kids, however I was considering placing one on my husband while we were visiting Ariel in her grotto. I explained to him gently but firmly that he was not allowed under ANY circumstances to try to listen to the sound of the ocean by placing his ear near her seashells.