Toddler harness

[Mickey'sMainMami]

Ok, I know this is probably going to cause a HUGE argument, and so I will apologize in advance. My family went to WDW for my nephew's 2nd birthday this past September. He is such a joy, but is really in that independent stage now, where he doesn't want to be in the stroller the whole time, and also wants to be a big boy and not hold onto your hand. Well that's not gonna happen, so my sis-in-law bought him the harness that looks like a monkey and is a backpack and has a short strap connected to the bottom of the backpack that looks like the monkey's tail. It probably is only about 18 inches long, and he absolutely loves it! My brother and I used to make fun of people when we were younger who would use the wrist straps, because to us, they really did look like a leash, but these are really adorable, and everyone we passed would giggle and say how cute it was and where did we get it and my nephew loved it because he felt like a big boy. We do what we have to do to keep our kids safe and happy, and him walking around and not being cooped up in the stroller made him a much better boy, and also tired him out some. He didn't really use it all that much, maybe 3 times throughout the trip, but at least we had the option, plus we went when it wasn't really crowded, so that wasn't an issue of him walking into people or anything. Parents might want to look into it. Here is the link so you can get a picture. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4532497

 

[WDW Traveler]

I'm with you on this one. When my daughter was younger and we went to DL, we used one of those wrist straps and connected it to the belt loop of her shorts/jeans. It worked out well as she didn't have her hand "tied" but she could still walk and not get away from us.

My sister lost her DD (3yo at the time) in Magic Kingdom. It was only for about 3 minutes or so as she had walked off (good eyes Auntie saw her down the way and ran after her). But it was terrifying for my sister. So, like you said, anything to keep them safe.

 

[kanga24roos]

I just bought the monkey pack last week for our trip in 16 days. My 2 y/o is waaaaay to independent for his own good and with three others to look after we decided that we love him enough to leash him. I just hope it works as he can get out of the straps himself.

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

I just bought the teddy bear one for DS (he's 15 months and already very independent!). We'll definitely bring it with us for our May trip to WDW (when he'll be 17 months old).

I don't see ANY reason for a debate. It's a safe way to let your child (or nephew) explore on "their own."

 

[maxiesmom]

All I ask is that you still pay attention to your child, even though they are in a harness. We see them here at the mall quite often. The child will be on one side of an aisle, the parent on the other, and people have to either skip over the leash or detour around. Or they will stand their chatting and little Timmy will be knocking things off of shelves and making a mess, and the parent is totally oblivious. As long as the harness are not used so that you do not have to deal with your child, I have no problem. In a place as big as Disney it is better safely hooked up to mom or dad than lost.

 

[Shannon1129]

I normally HATE the kid leashes, but this one looks absolutely adorable. I like that they have a backpack on too. Very cute. Thanks for sharing.

 

[krystalleigh1]

We went to WDW in Nov. with my 2 yo. ds. I bought the monkey leash/backpack thing "just in case". Was I glad I had that thing. The whole 7 days we were at WDW my ds walked-except for about 1 hour each day when we MADE him sit in the stroller. Not only that, but he liked to run. When we weren't in a crowd I'd simply wrap the monkey's tail around it's head-then when we got to a crowd I'd just hang on to the tail. It was a great compromise for a fiercely independent little boy who wanted to enjoy WDW walking (or running) around like a big boy. I did get one nasty comment-from an elderly man who probablly never even had kids-but everyone else commented on how cute it was. Even the characters pointed it out and my ds just thought that was the coolest thing.

Also, the backpack has a zipper. So in the morning we'd let ds put a treat of his choice in there (usually raisins or fruit snacks) to eat later at snack time.

We'll be going back to WDW in Sept. and the monkey will be the first thing I pack.

 

[bumbershoot]

My mom used harnesses on me and my brother, when we went to the beach. She also used leashes on the malamutes, because she loved us ALL, and didn't want any of us to run into the street or get lost in the ocean. I think harnesses on ANY creature, used appropriately of course, show great love.

I have the plain and ugly safety 1st harness, as well as the teddy bear Eddie Bauer one, and...it doesn't work for DS. I guess my being raised by malamutes came through genetically, and he thinks he is a sled dog SLAMMING at the end of the lead to break a sled free from ice. That does NOT work for us. He also goes to the end and just sort of leans until he falls, and that's not fun, either!

So even when you think they are terrific, sometimes they just don't work for a particular kid. Then again, that's been true for almost every aspect of DS so far.

 

[Jaime]

I never seen these before they are so cute...I don't like harnesses but I rather have my dd's save then lost!

 

[hebbynan]

We're headed to WDW in October and I just bought a simple little harness yesterday at Toys R Us. DS3 likes to try to get away from me everywhere we go. So I know that WDW won't be any exception. One time DH and I even hid (we could still see him, he just couldn't see us) so he'd think he'd actually lost us. Know what he did.....that little bugger.....he went and sat down on a bench and just sat there. He didn't panic, or nothing! So, if he'd get away from us, I don't know if he'd really care. Hence the leash!! I used to look at mom's who had them on their kids and think it was horrible........until I had some of my own. I totally understand where they're coming from now!!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I ordered one from www.smallplanetkids.com...its a padded harness w/colorful designs. It came in the mail yesterday and I showed it to my DD1 (almost 2) w/o the leash just the harness and she swatted it away. I've left it on the living room floor hoping she'd be curious and pick it up. She did today but then she threw it across the room. Its like she knows what its for..so I'm not sure what to do now.

I guess I'll try the backpack one from WalMart. I was just worried it would be too hot to bring it to WDW in May. The weather today in Orlando is 88 degrees...I can't imagine wearing a stuffed animal on my back. I'll buy one tonight and check it out. We may have to just run after her in the parks...I can't force her to wear it. Any tips?

 

[pbharris4]

I bought the cute monkey one last year and brought it with us, but we didn't need it and took it back. It was nice to know that if we needed it I had one. My DD3 actually sat in the stroller a lot and when she didn't she held our hand.

 

[twinboyz]

I just purchased two (Bear backpack) harnesses from Target for our upcoming trip. The twins love to wear them around the house, they are (their special backpack) just like Dora!

 

[tjlovespooh]

I've seen the cute little animal harness in our local walmart, target had them too. DH really wants to get one for DS when we go to disney in May(DS will be 17mo and he's extremely active). I, on the other hand, don't care for the idea of leashing my child. The notion has never sat well with me. However, I've agreed to buy something to bring along "just in case" DS goes into total melt-down mode and refuses to sit in his stroller or hold our hands. I'm just not sure whether to get a regular wrist "leash" or the harness style The animal harness is cute but I'm afraid that it would make DS too hot (he runs hot) and it might get in the way when trying to sit on some of the rides. I actually haven't seen any harness that does not have some sort of animal/backpack attached.

 

[poohbearrocks]

We will be taking one, we were at the mall last weekend doing bunny pics and my son walked off while getting out my cc...and he was GONE!!! he had made it UP the escalator and on his way back down...thankfully!! scared me TO DEATH...no way are we taking a chance in a place like Disney!!!!