Toddler Harness

[MastroK75]

Hi all! I am looking for the thread about the toddler harness. We are planning a trip to disney when my DS will be 2. He is very active, hates his stroller and prefers to walk. My DH is dead set against a "leash" as he calls it. I would like to show him the thread of all great feedback for the harness. can anybody help? Or at least talk up the harness in this thread so I can show him how helpful it will be. Thanks!

 

[drewchyi]

When I took my 20month old to Disney, it was impossible to keep track of him, especially in large crowds. It was impossible to hold his hands....he kept trying to pull away. A few times he ran off into the crowds and luckily I was able to catch up to him. So, I broke out the leash. It makes him feel like he has his freedom to walk around, yet I feel secure in knowing where he is. Last thing you'd want his a 2yo running off. You can't keep your eye on him all the time. Good luck.

D~

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

You'll probably get all kinds of feedback regarding this.

I was TOTALLY against these leashes, I still call them that, before I had my son. Your DH probably feels the same way we did--I thought they looked so stupid! But, last year before we went to WDW, I bought one. DS1.5 did not like riding in his stroller, but I didn't want him running loose all over the place. This came in very handy. I didn't use it the entire time we were there, but it worked great when he got tired of sitting in his stroller and needed to release some energy.

We were cleaning DS's room the other day and came across it, DH said "well we gotta keep that for our next trip to Disney!" So he has had a change of mind too!

My tips for using one:
1) I would suggest some practice walking before your trip--at first DS would lay down and not want to walk with it on.

2) Others will probably say to make sure you don't let the strap to long on it, so nobody trips over it at the parks. We didn't have a problem with this.

3) We got the Elmo one at WalMart since DS LOVES Elmo. I think it was only 5 bucks!

4) Don't worry about what other people say/or any looks (although I didn't have any rude comments...only positive ones)...you are trying to keep your son safe!

Hopefully you will get some more positive feedback on this.

 

[golden1]

I always used to be against them but I am rethinking my stance. My ds is a stroller hater too and always just runs away from us. It is not a problem for me to deal with around town but I am petrified of losing him at WDW so I will most likely get one and get him used to it a few months beforehand.

 

[joby]

Hi all! I am looking for the thread about the toddler harness. We are planning a trip to disney when my DS will be 2. He is very active, hates his stroller and prefers to walk. My DH is dead set against a "leash" as he calls it. I would like to show him the thread of all great feedback for the harness. can anybody help? Or at least talk up the harness in this thread so I can show him how helpful it will be. Thanks!

The harness was a life saver for me. It let my little girl which was 2 at the time feel more like a big girl on her own but not really. It also let me enjoy the park because i didn't have to worry about loosing her in the crowds. Also you wouldn't believe the people who asked me where i got my harness(all of which had about two or more kids trying to run away and them trying to hold on to them)and of course some looked at me like i was walking a dog instead of a child but of course most of them had no kids with them. I didn't care how they looked at me because to me it was better than possible loosing her in the crowd which would be worse

 

[Hannathy]

I agree with your husband. I HATE those leashes. And I have children and have taken them to a lot of crowded places including Disney when they were toddlers.
You will never convince me to like them so tell your husband I'm on his side!(oops you will probably delete this post before showing him) Use them if you want but don't tell me I can't look at you like you are walking your dog.

I am wondering though instead of spending time getting them used to the leashes why not spend time getting them used to staying next to you?

 

[kaysmommie]

I agree with your husband. I HATE those leashes. And I have children and have taken them to a lot of crowded places including Disney when they were toddlers.
You will never convince me to like them so tell your husband I'm on his side!(oops you will probably delete this post before showing him) Use them if you want but don't tell me I can't look at you like you are walking your dog.

I am wondering though instead of spending time getting them used to the leashes why not spend time getting them used to staying next to you?

I watch my DC really well. But a toddler that age can easily bolt wawy from you and there are alot of what if's in that situation. I never liked these harnesses until I had kids especially DS. Why take a chance in this world with kids being snatched I would use a harness for sure. Who cares what a few people think, keep your toddlers safe.

 

[diannaneglia]

ok my son IS NOT a toddler...he is a 11 year old with Aspergers Syndrome (mild autism). I was debating on using...not the harness but the wrist thingy...you know it is a braclet on either end and a coil plastic rope connecting them. I don't want to unpset my son but he sometimes goes off into his own world and I would be terrified if he got lost in the crowd...especially because he would have a terrible time communicating to anyone especially if he is upset...he would not know what to do. What do you think?? My mom and daughter think I am crazy and he doesn't need it...but do you think I should bring it along just in case?

Thanks!

 

[Samar]

I used to be against the "leashes" as well but DS sometimes doesn't feel like holding my hand, so the harness gives him some freedom. I actually bought one off of E-bay that is a monkey with a small backpack-like pocket and the leash part is a "tail". Instead of getting disapproving remarks, ppl commented on how cute and adorable it was

IMO as long as it's used responsibly and you are not going to "yank or pull" on the child, I don't see a problem with it.

 

[diannaneglia]

ok my son IS NOT a toddler...he is a 11 year old with Aspergers Syndrome (mild autism). I was debating on using...not the harness but the wrist thingy...you know it is a braclet on either end and a coil plastic rope connecting them. I don't want to unpset my son but he sometimes goes off into his own world and I would be terrified if he got lost in the crowd...especially because he would have a terrible time communicating to anyone especially if he is upset...he would not know what to do. What do you think?? My mom and daughter think I am crazy and he doesn't need it...but do you think I should bring it along just in case?

Le me just add...sometimes in the grocery store or the mall...it is a chore getting him to stay with us...he is a good boy...but just sometimes goes off in his little mind and doesn't pay attention to where we are in conjunction to himself...we have to keep saying...'gabe come on...you are gonna get lost...gabe keep up...gabe watch where you are going' and so on.

Thanks!

 

[kaysmommie]

ok my son IS NOT a toddler...he is a 11 year old with Aspergers Syndrome (mild autism). I was debating on using...not the harness but the wrist thingy...you know it is a braclet on either end and a coil plastic rope connecting them. I don't want to unpset my son but he sometimes goes off into his own world and I would be terrified if he got lost in the crowd...especially because he would have a terrible time communicating to anyone especially if he is upset...he would not know what to do. What do you think?? My mom and daughter think I am crazy and he doesn't need it...but do you think I should bring it along just in case?

Thanks!

I don't know your son, but if it makes you feel better just in case I don't think there is anything wrong with it. Use it only if you need to. Have a great trip!

 

[rparmfamily]

Using a harness (they are widely used in Europe and not frowned upon) is much better than a lost child. Forget those who judge, they aren't the one's who will have a broken heart searching for you child.

Do what it takes to keep YOUR child safe. End of story.


BTW, I don't use one but can totally see the need for one.

 

[latexscooter]

Last year when I took my wiggly DD2 to Disney the harness was so helpful. One thing that was so strange about using the harness or the wrist line is that she learned the boundaries and didn't push them. As an example, if I hold her hand she will tug pull and squirm to get away. With the harness she knows she can't get away so she doesn't try. She walks along all nicey, nicey.

For parades and times when we were waiting for parent swap or whatever, we would bust out the harness and she'd toddle around and have a good time.

We bought ours from eBay for $10 and it came with both the chest harness and wrist line. It was brand new, in the package, and was customized with Elmo. I highly recommend getting one. Who cares what other people think? A safe and happy child is worth the difference of opinion.

 

[loriandmatt]

he have used one (very briefly - not excessively) when my now 11 year old was 2 or 3. he hated the stroller and would walk off with anyone in a split second.

take it with you just incase you decide to use it. it is light and won't take up any room at all. nice to have on hand if you decide you want to use it.

i have not used it yet with DD (now 20 months) but will have no reservations about using it if it becomes and issue.

i have given random positive comments to those i see using them. often, if i see they are slightly ashamed or looking like they are afraid others will think they are being cruel of over protective, i will give them a word of encouragement.

- lori

 

[weeluvdisney]

There is a reason that they were invented. Most people don't need them in everyday life but Disney World is not everyday life for a toddler or special needs child that doesnt know danger. I just bought one for our trip. My DS3 will be in the stroller most of the time I'm sure but when he's not I will break out the "leash" and I don't care what anyone thinks. My son will return home with us safe and sound. I'd have a heart attack if he got away from me and with a crowd of people it would take 2 seconds for you to not be able to see him.....then what

 

[TravelinGal]

I remember my sister using one for her DD when we were on a ferry (back in the 70's). It really did look like a dog harness/leash. I wouldn't use one like that, but there are some really CUTE ones out there now!

Target has them (Eddie Bauer line) for $9.99 ***DO NOT GET STUCK PAYING MORE FROM EBAY! *** I've seen people trying to sell them for $19.99 plus shipping there!!! Greedy jerks! And the sad part is people will pay it because they don't research the true market price.
There's a puppy one on ebay right now that's 99 cents ($5 shipping) - used - looks decent still - number 7755037417

I liked this one best, but didn't get it because it was such a light color: (puppy)
(found out AFTER I bought the darker one that it is machine washable)

This is the one we got: (Bear)

My ONE YEAR OLD does NOT understand the concept of staying right next to me yet. I can see that argument for a 3 year old maybe, but not a 1 year old. Just ignore the naysayers.

DS will be in one of three situations when we are at WDW.
1)in the stroller
2)in the harness
3)in the hip hammock style carrier I made

NEVER EVER will he be left to run loose.

I ditto the comment about getting it early and using it. I've discovered that if DS doesn't want to come with me while on the harness, I'll have to take his hand until he's walking our direction again. But we've only used it a couple of times. Need to get him in it more in the next month!

Just don't yank/pull etc on your DC and ignore anyone looking at you nasty. Your love for your child and concern for their safty is tops.

BTW- There was an instance where DS stumbled (uneven parking lot surface) while wearing the harness and I was able to lift my arm up quickly and keep him from landing on his face. I'm sure it didn't feel great for him, but it was better than a faceplant on rough blacktop!

Eddie Bauer model is made by Gold Bug - which is the other common market name on them. EB costs the same - guess it's just what's available where you live.

Edited to add - the Eddie Bauer model has a place to clip the "leash" on the back OR on one side. Nice to have the option. (I'm not saying other ones don't have this feature - this is the only one I have experience with)

 

[JennyW]

Where does one get one of the things that attaches to both your wrist and the child's wrist? I wouldn't put the full-up harness on my almost 2-year-old son, but I think a wrist one would work pretty well. A coil between the wrist straps sounds very nice, so no one trips.

Thanks!! We're going in August and I really don't want to lose my son!

jenny

 

[all4fun]

Where does one get one of the things that attaches to both your wrist and the child's wrist? I wouldn't put the full-up harness on my almost 2-year-old son, but I think a wrist one would work pretty well. A coil between the wrist straps sounds very nice, so no one trips.

I would be careful about the coil kind - they stretch a long way and it can become tripping hazzard in the park, causing injury to anyone crossing it's path and the child it's attached to. I have not only seen little ones walking about 10 feet behind the adult but I've read stories here on the Dis of this happening to people. Just an FYI. If you want to do the wrist to wrist kind, then get the one that is a nylon strap that is 5' or less and doesn't stretch.

Last year when I took my wiggly DD2 to Disney the harness was so helpful. One thing that was so strange about using the harness or the wrist line is that she learned the boundaries and didn't push them. As an example, if I hold her hand she will tug pull and squirm to get away. With the harness she knows she can't get away so she doesn't try. She walks along all nicey, nicey.

I found this to be true with my ds as well! He actually seemed much happier and content when wearing the harness. Not the reaction I expected but I think it also gave him a sense of security because he knew we were never more than a few feet away. I also loved it because he had some mild motor skill delays and was a bit "clumbsy" so we have saved him from a few scraped hands and knees with harness. If you're holding onto a childs hand and you "grab" them when they fall, you're much more likely to dislocate something than if you catch them with the harness. It really came in handy on the Swiss Family treehouse too. He could climb the stairs to his hearts content without me having to hold his hand the whole time (really wonderful for his development too) and I didn't have to worry about him taking a nasty tumble and seriously injuring himself. At DL it allowed us to do the treehouse alone while dh rode the Indiana Jones ride. When you're standing in the queue sometimes the line is seperated by a rope or chain at a perfect height for a toddler to dash under. Kind of hard to follow them through the queue that way when you're a full-sized adult.

You'll periodically see people using the harness at WDW. I did anyway. And I never heard any negative comments, mainly people asking me where I got mine. I really don't care what people think anyway. They should just mind their own business. They're not the ones responsible for my son and what happens to him, I am.

 

[tweedlewtwinsmama]

I too am considering getting the wrist style for my 6 year old son. He has impulse control problems and is always darting off in stores, and such. As a small child he was strapped into a stroller so he was ok then. Now that he is 6 he is too big for a stroller. I want him to be safe and not get lost. I also know first-ahnd that it is not a parenting issue on behavior management because his twin brother always stays by my side and is able to sit still when asked to. So please do not judge parents that use these devices because I am sure that those that do use them do because of special needs and or circumstances.

 

[snickerboo]

Using a harness (they are widely used in Europe and not frowned upon) is much better than a lost child. Forget those who judge, they aren't the one's who will have a broken heart searching for you child.

My thoughts exactly. I have used them before in big crowds. Some people have kids who stay with them when they tell them to, others don't. I am one who does not. Ironically, the times I've used the leash, and feared the scornful glances of others, I've actually been told by a lot of people, "what a good idea in a crowd like this!"