Please hold little one's hands!

[Madhatter266]

We just returned home from a 1 weeks stay at WDW, and I couldn't help but notice how many times that small children just wondered away from their parents. We were walking in MGM and a "hurried" mother was walking while reading her map. Her son was "bringing up the rear." Every two seconds she would call out - Scottie, hurry up! She kept on walking and "Scottie" decided to stop and look into a window, then he actually went into the store. She never noticed! I couldn't take it - and when I was just about to call to her another man yelled - Hey lady - you just lost Scottie! She stopped - angrily - then decided to come back to retrieve him. Unfortunately, I don't think she realized that he was doing just what a child does! This scared me to death and I began noticing how many times kids were walking on their own!

 

[cdrn1]

Flame away. We used a leash with DGD 16 months. She is just too fast to take a chance with and it only takes a moment of distraction. She didn't seem to mind, and a couple times we saved her from a fall by the sheer fact that we were hanging on above her. I doubt that we messed her up for life.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Flame away. We used a leash with DGD 16 months. She is just too fast to take a chance with and it only takes a moment of distraction. She didn't seem to mind, and a couple times we saved her from a fall by the sheer fact that we were hanging on above her. I doubt that we messed her up for life.

Personally, I think that no one should flame you. I am I daycare owner and teacher and I personally know what it's like having little kids around and all it takes is 1 moment of eyes off the child and they could be doing something that could harm them; or all it takes is that one crazy wacked out person to take your son or daughter and they would be long gone. Then you would have everyone flaming you due to you not protecting your child. Using a leash for an active child is fine in my eyes. They are still able to move around and still think that they have their own personal space of freedom. So if someone wants to flame and tell me why it's so wrong to use them then let it be. Just to let you know that I have not needed to use one but if I need to I'm sure that there will be nothing to stop me.

Have a wonderful day!!!!

 

[mom23boys]

Flame away. We used a leash with DGD 16 months. She is just too fast to take a chance with and it only takes a moment of distraction. She didn't seem to mind, and a couple times we saved her from a fall by the sheer fact that we were hanging on above her. I doubt that we messed her up for life.

No flames here, we are going in August I am thinking of a leash for my youngest son (3). He likes to walk on his own, we will bring a stroller, and sometimes he does take off.

My sister uses them all the time with her twins also 3.

 

[JoannaOhio]

Flame away. We used a leash with DGD 16 months. She is just too fast to take a chance with and it only takes a moment of distraction. She didn't seem to mind, and a couple times we saved her from a fall by the sheer fact that we were hanging on above her. I doubt that we messed her up for life.

My three children are in their 30s and 40s now, and I can attest to the fact that none of them suffered any ill effects from wearing a harness and leash when they were young. In fact, they seemed to enjoy the freedom of walking along without having one arm constantly reaching up to hold on to one of our hands. The only problems we ever had were the disapproving looks and remarks of other people.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Need to put a sign on the back of the child's back that reads..."Get a grip" and "Can you say FREEDOM?"

 

[AngelEyes]

Flame away. We used a leash with DGD 16 months. She is just too fast to take a chance with and it only takes a moment of distraction. She didn't seem to mind, and a couple times we saved her from a fall by the sheer fact that we were hanging on above her. I doubt that we messed her up for life.

No flames from me. The only reason we didn't have one when our two were younger is that they stayed in the stroller the whole time except for when we went on a ride. Plus, it was never crowded when we went either. Better safe than sorry!

 

[emer95]

I would be horrified if anyone flamed you! Parents who use "leashes" or harnesses are obviously concerned, loving parents who want to keep their children safe. It's the ones that let their children wander unattended (like the one the OP described) who should be flamed.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

If my DD's didn't stay in the stroller, which I prefer, then I would have leashed them no problem.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

All you leach afficianados who don't like the confused/disappointed looks from other parents might want to take a look at the "O'pair" system (http://www.babiesinthehood.com/accessories.html#). It's basically 2 fanny packs, suitable for storing sunsreen, wallets, etc. that are connecting by a retractable cord. It provides both child and parent hands free use and really, after the recent pics of everyone's favorite Abu Ghrab pinup girl Lyndie England and the leash incident, this one looks like it might be the more socially acceptable alternative.

 

[dkrause716]

All you leach afficianados who don't like the confused/disappointed looks from other parents might want to take a look at the "O'pair" system (http://www.babiesinthehood.com/accessories.html#). It's basically 2 fanny packs, suitable for storing sunsreen, wallets, etc. that are connecting by a retractable cord. It provides both child and parent hands free use and really, after the recent pics of everyone's favorite Abu Ghrab pinup girl Lyndie England and the leash incident, this one looks like it might be the more socially acceptable alternative.

Looks like a great idea to me! Mine are teens now but we did use a handholder when they were younger. It had two velcro wrist straps attached by a cord, like a phone cord. Worked great, especially for my son who just loved to take off.

I can't tell you how many times I have been witness to inattentive parents. It drives me nuts! I literally "caught" someone's two year old in mid air as she was falling from a cart in the grocery store a few weeks ago. Mom was reading a label for a really long time and never even looked over at her daughter. After I saved her child she gave me a blank, confused look and said ,"Oh, thanks."

We were extremely vigilant parents but once my DH lost DD3 at a water park. The most horrible 15 minutes of my life! Wake up folks it can happen to anyone!

Leash, handholder, stroller whatever works for you but watch out for those little ones.

 

[seashoreCM]

I would not use leashes. THey could become entangled.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I would not use leashes. THey could become entangled.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

They're only 4'-5' feet long so there isn't much chance of that. It's not like the 25' foot retractable leash that you use for your dogs, you know.

 

[AJKMOM]

Having lost my autistic son at WDW a few times, I say "hooray for handholders". They made our trips with young ones much easier. I think people who object to them are the ones who think nothing bad will ever happen, especially in WDW.

My sister-in-law said her brother and family were in the Magic Kingdom when someone got their baby snatched right out of the stroller. So, it can happen anywhere, even at Mickey's place. The story had a happy ending, the place went into lockdown and no one could leave without the parents looking at every baby who people tried to get out. The kidnapper even changed the baby clothes to look like a girl, but got caught.

 

[ntburns22]

OMG, that is so scary. I just bought my DS2 a harness and wrist combo at Walmart for under $5. I am planning on using the wrist bands. He is a very active boy. They only thing worry me about this trip is him.

 

[Key51697]

Leashes to me show that the parent actually cares about thier child!!! I wished more parents used them!!!

 

[PatsGirl]

I was also a Leash Mother with my two kids but I must say how surprised I am about all the positive remarks on this thread considering the dirty looks and comments I received. BTW, it never bothered me, let em stare

 

[dkrause716]

Having lost my autistic son at WDW a few times, I say "hooray for handholders". They made our trips with young ones much easier. I think people who object to them are the ones who think nothing bad will ever happen, especially in WDW.

My sister-in-law said her brother and family were in the Magic Kingdom when someone got their baby snatched right out of the stroller. So, it can happen anywhere, even at Mickey's place. The story had a happy ending, the place went into lockdown and no one could leave without the parents looking at every baby who people tried to get out. The kidnapper even changed the baby clothes to look like a girl, but got caught.

This is so scary!! Just think about it--if you want to steal a baby what better place to try than a theme park filled with little ones! I know we all like to think that things like this never happen at WDW but now we know that isn't true. I'm a nervous wreck and I don't even have little ones anymore....

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Kristen-

Where did you get the numbers in your signature to make the statement "98% of the teenage population does or has tried smoking pot"? You might want to take another at those numbers. Latest 2004 research shows that only approximately 19.6% of teens 12-17 have tried smoking pot, and a majority of those who try it, try it once and stop.

 

[Key51697]

I copied and pasted it from somone elses siggy