To use a Leash or not use one?

[Tiana]

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[princessmom29]

Ok, maybe you have lost focus of the topic of the whole thread. SO, let me help you out. We are NOT saying that boys CANNOT be taught how to behave. What we are SAYING is that it is, OFTEN, harder work and requires WAY more effort than one can give in a place like Disney World; and still have a good time. As such, SOME of us find it (boys' impulsive behavior) easier to deal with WHILE ON VACATION to just prevent the child from acting on impulse by keeping them on a leash PART OF THE TIME. I don't think anyone keeps a leash on their child 24/7, even at the World. We are not talking about what goes on in a classroom or saying that the way we treat/discipline our children in every day life is how we go about things WHILE ON VACATION. The OP was asking about using a leash ON VACATION, at DISNEY WORLD. She was not asking about using one at home in her every day life, only during special circumstances. Applying this special circumstance to every day behavior, your ONE child, "some kid you know" and your classroom doesn't help her, or anyone else, IMO.



Well, it seems that almost all public schools feel the same way b/c they refuse to seperate kids according to how they learn or by gender... and considering that our public schools don't even rank in the top 20 list of test scores/best education systems in the World. I would say that this theory is wrong.

I am leaving this topic alone after this. Most of those in the "top 20" list use only one model of instruction: direct instruction only. This is how it is done in Japan, China, and Vietnam to name a few. Students do not ask questions, or ask for clarification. If they need help they hire a tutor. They sit in a desk all day and soak up the knowledge presented to them without moving or uttering a peep, and if they cannot cut it, they are sent to the fields or some other type of manual labor. Boys who cannot sit still and focus are at a severe disadvantage, but they continue to perform at the highest levels. Could that possibly be at least in part because there are no behavior problems in the clasroom to prevent children form learning because they simply put out those who cannot behave? Let me be clear, I am not advocating this system at all, but saying that they don't get to be the best by catering to differences, but by eliminating those who do not conform. If you are booted out, you no longer count toward their stats. I do not agree with this approach and feel we have a duty to educate EVERYONE, not just those who conform to a particular learning style. Typically, the students I have seen in upper grades who come from direct instruction countries have real trouble adapting to cooperative learning, and being asked to form an opinion based on facts. They are great parrots, and their standardized test scores are off the charts, but they do not synthesize inforamtion well.

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

I had a Mickey one that I used for my 15 month old one trip, but I then heard about a product that Joan Lunden came up with called the Kiddie Kord. It's awesome...It has a bracelet for Mom and one for the child. It can stretch out and then comes back you can attach up to 5 children to each of the Mom's bracelets. You can order it online or you can get it at Babies R Us. I don't use mine alot, but when I do use it, I love it! It was under $20

 

[2meetthemouse]

I intend to use a leash with my lo when we go in August. No amount of dirty looks from strangers will stop me. Every mother of a toddler will have experienced that awful moment of terror when she discovers that her toddler has run out of sight and that's just in the local shops or mall. Imagine how that terror would be magnified in somewhere like WDW??
Let other people look after their own children and you do what you think is right for you and yours!

 

[kirstenb1]

You used a leash for a 4 year old? If so, how did you keep them from taking it off?

I'd just attach it to the belt loop in the back of their shorts.

 

[kscwgirl]

my 4 year old DS is a runner, a very very fast one, and he will most likely be leashed depending on how busy the park is. He doesn't care for being confined in a stroller, but he loves his monkey backpack and he loves picking which adult he wants to hold his tail.

 

[susandklein]

I have one that I am planning on using when we go to Disney World in May. It's mainly going to be used in the airport while I'm getting our things checked in and while waiting to board our plane. I have used these in the past but feel with my child who is almost 6 would be best. She has a habit of wondering off and sometimes when she's super excited this has happened several times in big malls too. I'm not ashamed to use it either, it's for the safety of my daughter and puts my mind to ease.

Good for at you. I used a harness/leash for my girls at Disneyland when they were 7 and 5. We had a great time.No stress. Same thing. They liked to wander or get excited and run. In the Disney crowds the leashes allowed them to have fun but kept them within safe limits.

 

[susandklein]

I have one that I am planning on using when we go to Disney World in May. It's mainly going to be used in the airport while I'm getting our things checked in and while waiting to board our plane. I have used these in the past but feel with my child who is almost 6 would be best. She has a habit of wondering off and sometimes when she's super excited this has happened several times in big malls too. I'm not ashamed to use it either, it's for the safety of my daughter and puts my mind to ease.

Good for at you. I used a harness/leash for my girls at Disneyland when they were 7 and 5. We had a great time.No stress. Same thing. They liked to wander or get excited and run. In the Disney crowds the leashes allowed them to have fun but kept them within safe limits.

 

[mupt02]

My almost 4 year old has just started running off. She used to be great at staying with us, but recently something has clicked telling her it is ok to run off. The other day she took off into the men's locker room. With only me (mommy) with her, I couldn't find her. And oddly enough, no male in there thought it was weird to have a 3 year old girl in the locker room. I am going to be getting one for her and start using it now. Our trip is not until August. One of 2 things will happen - either she will have learned to stay with us or she will be use to the harness. We also run into the problem that once she runs off, the 2 year old runs off as well - usually in the opposite direction. With an infant as well, this can be problematic. Oh, and sitting in the stroller is not always the answer. She is able to get out of one of the strollers and in the other one, if she doesn't want to be in it, she can wiggle low enough to stick her feet in the wheels - making it dangerous as well.

I say you do what you have to do to keep your kids safe. I would much rather get dirty looks for having a harness on my kid than lose my child.

 

[PearlySwan]

...that this one here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220597673150&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT is rather cute.

If mods remove the above link (as they sometimes do), search Ebay for: "Disney Baby 2 in 1 Harness Buddy Mickey Mouse." It should come up.

 

[badblackpug]

I am not a leash fan. I have instilled in my kids since they were small to hold hands or we are leaving. Because, in general, I follow through with threats/promises they believe I will leave.

Of course this year I will have and 11m old and a 2 year old who really doesn't like to be in the stroller, (as well as 3 others) so it ought to be interesting. Especially if the 11m old decides to start walking by then!

That being said, if other choose to use the leash I have no problem with it, especially knowing that some of these kids have neurological or developmental delays. It just isn't the right choice for us.

 

[ilovepooh]

I prefer the stuffed animal leash that looks like the puppy/monkey is riding on the child's back. I don't care what people think of me using it, because at the end of the day I have my young child with me. I'm not frantically running through the park looking for him. Younger children don't always listen to the rules you've taught them....better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Nancy F]

I would use a leash. I saw a few people who would have lost their little ones if they weren't tied to them LOL. Who cares what other people think. Safety first I always say.

Nancy

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I was one of those people who was appalled when I saw children with harnesses on- then I had kids.

My youngest DD(1) has been walking since she was 9.5 months old and is always on the go- hates the stoller.

I will be using her monkey harness in June. If others want to judge me, let them. Meanwhile, my DD will be safe and happy. I am a very attentive and watchful parent, but it only takes 1 second for a LO to disappear. Just one glance at what DD(4) is doing and DD(1) could be off and running.

 

[leebee]

Ignore the folks who feel the need to be harsh or judgemental. They don't know your kids- YOU do, and you know what will be best for your family. How will the kids react to the leash? How will you feel if you think you should leash but don't, and something happens to your kid? I never was a leash fan until we went to Disney with my DNiece, who simply wouldn't stay in a stroller, wouldn't hold a hand, etc. Even at the age of 5 she was free/high spirited, regardless of what my sister tried. Yes, she left the leash around her wrist- she liked her "bracelet"- and my sister had peace of mind in knowing her DD wouldn't just run off.

What other people think kids of a certain age should or shouldn't be able to do it irrelevant, and it's sad that, when you ask a question, strangers are perfectly comfortable criticizing you and offering scathing opinions instead of just answering the question.

 

[Srackangast]

We used stroller to get around and then put the soft monkey leash with pocket full of goodies for standing in line or any place we could not take the stroller. My DD loved her monkey and asked us several times to wear it. It helped keep her entertained while waiting.

 

[imthatgirl]

I honestly see no difference in a harness then a stroller....well except that the child gets excersize with the harness.
It really blows my mind that people are so judgemental about a harness and then shove their kid in a stroller.

 

[Sara*s_Mommie]

If you are going to use a leash, my recommendation is that you practice before you use it at the park. Make sure the child knows what to expect and what the tugs mean. I used one on my 2 yo at the flea market - we hadn't practiced....after knocking her down a few times and once skinning her knees, I gave up and just held her hand. I just have the one child though. I might suggest that you use a buddy system. Pair up an older child with a 4 year old with the rule that you don't move unless holding your buddy's hand.

 

[imthatgirl]

If you are going to use a leash, my recommendation is that you practice before you use it at the park. Make sure the child knows what to expect and what the tugs mean. I used one on my 2 yo at the flea market - we hadn't practiced....after knocking her down a few times and once skinning her knees, I gave up and just held her hand. I just have the one child though. I might suggest that you use a buddy system. Pair up an older child with a 4 year old with the rule that you don't move unless holding your buddy's hand.

I don't think you're actually supposed to tug on it in order to keep your kid "in line". It's just a safety measure. Still hold your kids hand, or if you want let them lead great...but the intention is not to be walking off and hoping your kid follows suit.

 

[Sara*s_Mommie]

I don't think you're actually supposed to tug on it in order to keep your kid "in line". It's just a safety measure. Still hold your kids hand, or if you want let them lead great...but the intention is not to be walking off and hoping your kid follows suit.

I guess I wasn't too clear. I didn't tug on my dd leash to make her "come"...I gave her some freedom and found it didn't work. If I'm holding her hand, there's no point in a leash.