To use a Leash or not use one?

[jellybeans0607]

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.

I always thought the point of the lease was so if your child decided to let go and run off they couldn't, so wouldn't you still want to hold your child's hand? I don't think it's meant to be "tugged on".

 

[Sara*s_Mommie]

I always thought the point of the lease was so if your child decided to let go and run off they couldn't, so wouldn't you still want to hold your child's hand? I don't think it's meant to be "tugged on".

Since I'm getting opinions on my post, I'll go ahead and post my opinion - if someone has a child that is so out of control that they need to have a leash and hold that child's hand, maybe that child shouldn't be out in public. I never said I used the lease to keep my chid in line or that I was tugging her to control her. When I used the leash (1 time), I used it to give my child some freedom while staying close by to me. There were too many times when the leash got tugged - either by her moving beyond it's scope, us moving in opposite directions, etc. If my daughter had let go of my hand and "run off" the tugging would still have occurred and she would have fallen down. I can keep my child in control by holding her hand and a leash isn't necessary. I was making a post for the OP - not trying to get opinions about my use.

 

[luvmy2babies]

I have one of those children who stuck close when younger, but bolts now. And it really throws you for a loop because the time when you'd expect the bolting they don't do it and then suddenly they're running…it's like they forgot.

She's 7 now and knows better than to run off but does get easily distracted. When we go somewhere I say "what are the rules?" She replies "stay with you." But let her see something..anything. Just yesterday, we were at the mall. It wasn't the one we frequent because she had a Disney Store gift card we were there to spend. I stopped at the directory and said, "stand right here" and pointed to the space next to me. I bent down for 10 seconds to do something for her brother (3mo old in the stroller) and POOF! Off she went. I called her and as she (slowly full of fear) made her way back, she was apologizing. She knew better, but something caught her eye.

Not 2 hours later we're crossing the parking lot to go back to the van. I had her hand this time. A small bird landed on the pavement. Reminded me of the ones that surrounded Snow White in the movie. She snatched her hand away and POOF! 3 feet away, but in the parking lot. Pop on the hand.

90% of the time, she's great, but that 10% is enough for me to come to the conclusion I'll use something. I'm not even going to stress us both out. Our routine at home does enough of that. She'll be connected to the stroller or me at the wrist…something short that won't allow her to get more than 2 or 3 feet away-not enough so that anyone can walk between us as to not endanger anyone else.

I know my child. She was in preschool too and walked in the lines. They even walked with their hands clasped together behind their little backs to remind them not to touch anything they shouldn't. But Mickey Mouse never walked into the Daycare. She's never been to WDW and won't find out she's going until the day we leave or at the earliest, the night before, because we're going for her fall break and she'll drive me, her teacher, and even her infant brother up a wall if she knows even one day ahead of time. I can't imagine the excitement that will be running through her, especially that first day. If she spots any character and I don't, it's over. And Lord help us if it's a princess.