Toddler harness?

[Nata]

I know I wouldn't want to have to hold a child's hand all day long in the parks. Nor would it be comfortable for them. As long as the parent is well aware of their child and keeps an eye on them, then a leash is no hazard. It is only when it is used as a substitute for keeping an eye on your child that it becomes a tripping hazard.

I completely agree with you. It is not practical to hold his hand 100% of the time. But in crowded situations after parades or fireworks leash would make me very nervous, so holding hand or stroller is mandatory. In less crowded situations you have to watch him all the time anyway. I would have to watch other guests too to make sure they would not trip. I have 3 moving targets to watch as it is, I don't have enough attention left for that.

 

[kellyjeanie]

I never have understood the level of vitriol directed at toddler harnesses. They give little kids a measure of freedom without compromising safety.

That being said, OP, try it out first - my oldest liked the harness just fine but my younger two hated it. Much like strollers, some kids like them and some kids don't.

 

[Meldev]

I have four kids - DDs 1 and 2 never needed a harness. They wouldn't leave our sides in unfamiliar places. DD3 and DS need a harness, leash, crate if I could have had them!! (TOTAL JOKE PEOPLE DON'T GO CRAZY!)

Seriously, I have packed the harness in my bag every trip we've taken (to anywhere overnight and longer) just in case. You'll quickly know if you need it or not...either way you'll have it and the peace of mind that goes along with it.

I wore one on my DD in Myrtle Beach - crowded shopping places at night she wouldn't stay in stroller, too many people, she was a runner, I wouldn't have survived without it!

 

[HollieS]

I think what is also missing in this discussion is that a harness isn't this all or nothing solution. You can have your child in a harness AND hold their hand AND teach them to behave, crazy I know. It's back up, in case your child lets go of your hand, in case someone walks between you, in case your child takes of running.

 

[mirak]

Have any of you guys tried shock collars to keep your kids in the yard? I hate it when people get all judgmental about putting a shock collar on our kids. I'm putting it on them for their safety. As a parent who's afraid of my kids running out into the street, it seems negligent to me to not put a shock collar on them. I mean, we do it for dogs, so why not do it for kids? The shock doesn't actually hurt - I've tested it on myself. It gives me peace of mind and makes it easier for me to keep track of them, and that's the important thing.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

Have any of you guys tried shock collars to keep your kids in the yard? I hate it when people get all judgmental about putting a shock collar on our kids. I'm putting it on them for their safety. As a parent who's afraid of my kids running out into the street, it seems negligent to me to not put a shock collar on them. I mean, we do it for dogs, so why not do it for kids? The shock doesn't actually hurt - I've tested it on myself. It gives me peace of mind and makes it easier for me to keep track of them, and that's the important thing.

Thank you for being absolutely ridiculous. Wish I could talk politics. Reminds me so much of many political discussions.

I don't have kids, can't have kids, will never have kids (way too old now). But I applaud anything that folks do to try to keep 'em safe, and near their parents. Husband and I, when we were younger and healthier, tried to help catch a runner at a local theme park. The kid was amazing. We joked later that we should have gotten his name so we could cheer for him when he grew up and was in the Olympics later on. We were only partially kidding.

I use a scooter and have to ignore remarks by idiots. Use what you need to, and ignore the remarks by the idiots. Probably the same idiots, either way. And have a good time!!!

 

[kellyjeanie]

Have any of you guys tried shock collars to keep your kids in the yard? I hate it when people get all judgmental about putting a shock collar on our kids. I'm putting it on them for their safety. As a parent who's afraid of my kids running out into the street, it seems negligent to me to not put a shock collar on them. I mean, we do it for dogs, so why not do it for kids? The shock doesn't actually hurt - I've tested it on myself. It gives me peace of mind and makes it easier for me to keep track of them, and that's the important thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_equivalence

 

[mirak]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_equivalence

Calling this a "false equivalence" is just a lazy tapout. I just took every argument given in favor of leashes and showed how ridiculous those arguments are by placing them in a slightly different context. Shock collars are perfectly safe to humans. They are no more dangerous or cruel than a leash. Let's go back over the arguments:

1. We put leashes on dogs, so why not kids? We do lots of things for dogs we would never dream of doing for kids, like shock collars.

2. We put leashes on dogs to protect them, so why not give our kids the same or better protection? So doesn't that also apply to shock collars?

3. I'm just doing it for my kids' safety. So wouldn't you also want to prevent them from running into the street, which is actually more dangerous than becoming separated at a well-monitored amusement park?

4. The leash gives me peace of mind and makes things less stressful. A shock collar would make it easier to keep the kids in the yard with less supervision.

But by all means, keep putting your kids in leashes. You and your poor kids look ridiculous.

 

[kellyjeanie]

Calling this a "false equivalence" is just a lazy tapout. I just took every argument given in favor of leashes and showed how ridiculous those arguments are by placing them in a slightly different context. Shock collars are perfectly safe to humans. They are no more dangerous or cruel than a leash. Let's go back over the arguments:

1. We put leashes on dogs, so why not kids? We do lots of things for dogs we would never dream of doing for kids, like shock collars.

2. We put leashes on dogs to protect them, so why not give our kids the same or better protection? So doesn't that also apply to shock collars?

3. I'm just doing it for my kids' safety. So wouldn't you also want to prevent them from running into the street, which is actually more dangerous than becoming separated at a well-monitored amusement park?

4. The leash gives me peace of mind and makes things less stressful. A shock collar would make it easier to keep the kids in the yard with less supervision.

But by all means, keep putting your kids in leashes. You and your poor kids look ridiculous.

"A common way for this fallacy to be perpetuated is one shared trait between two subjects is assumed to show equivalence, especially in order of magnitude, when equivalence is not necessarily the logical result. False equivalence is a common result when an anecdotal similarity is pointed out as equal, but the claim of equivalence doesn't bear because the similarity is based on oversimplification or ignorance of additional factors."

Also, ridiculous is in the eye of the beholder. In other words, if the only down side to putting my kids in a harness is you and your ilk will think it looks ridiculous, seems like a fine trade-off to me.

 

[maxiesmom]

Being ridiculous to try and prove a point proves nothing. Except that person is ridiculous and can't make their point any other way.

We get it, you hate harnesses. Even at the expense of losing your own children. THAT seems like a ridiculous choice, but you are free to make it.

 

[mjkacmom]

Calling this a "false equivalence" is just a lazy tapout. I just took every argument given in favor of leashes and showed how ridiculous those arguments are by placing them in a slightly different context. Shock collars are perfectly safe to humans. They are no more dangerous or cruel than a leash. Let's go back over the arguments:

1. We put leashes on dogs, so why not kids? We do lots of things for dogs we would never dream of doing for kids, like shock collars.

2. We put leashes on dogs to protect them, so why not give our kids the same or better protection? So doesn't that also apply to shock collars?

3. I'm just doing it for my kids' safety. So wouldn't you also want to prevent them from running into the street, which is actually more dangerous than becoming separated at a well-monitored amusement park?

4. The leash gives me peace of mind and makes things less stressful. A shock collar would make it easier to keep the kids in the yard with less supervision.

But by all means, keep putting your kids in leashes. You and your poor kids look ridiculous.

Wow, with a parent like you, your kids must be quite the charmers! I'm sure you set a wonderful example.

What is more restrictive - putting a lightweight tether on the kid, or strapping him into a wheeled box for the duration?? No wonder why we have so many obese children these days.

And there are a lot more injuries caused by strollers than these harnesses. And your arguments are ridiculous and don't make sense,.

 

[OZMom]

Have any of you guys tried shock collars to keep your kids in the yard? I hate it when people get all judgmental about putting a shock collar on our kids. I'm putting it on them for their safety. As a parent who's afraid of my kids running out into the street, it seems negligent to me to not put a shock collar on them. I mean, we do it for dogs, so why not do it for kids? The shock doesn't actually hurt - I've tested it on myself. It gives me peace of mind and makes it easier for me to keep track of them, and that's the important thing.

I'm sorry, but wouldn't your anger be better directed at something more productive? This person is genuinely trying to keep their child safe in the way THEY deem best for THEIR child and you are equating her efforts to emotional and physical abuse? Obviously you have your opinions but I would challenge you to produce actual peer reviewed, scientific evidence of these harnesses doing harm to anyone's child.

I'm sure there are things you do as a parent that others would deem harmful. Yelling, spanking, circumcision, time outs, you name it and someone has an opinion on what you're doing "wrong". Let's cut each other some slack and just agree that what works for some doesn't work for others and leave it at that.

 

[mjkacmom]

"A common way for this fallacy to be perpetuated is one shared trait between two subjects is assumed to show equivalence, especially in order of magnitude, when equivalence is not necessarily the logical result. False equivalence is a common result when an anecdotal similarity is pointed out as equal, but the claim of equivalence doesn't bear because the similarity is based on oversimplification or ignorance of additional factors."

Also, ridiculous is in the eye of the beholder. In other words, if the only down side to putting my kids in a harness is you and your ilk will think it looks ridiculous, seems like a fine trade-off to me.

Me thinks those words might to be too big for some...

 

[Meldev]

I think what is also missing in this discussion is that a harness isn't this all or nothing solution. You can have your child in a harness AND hold their hand AND teach them to behave, crazy I know. It's back up, in case your child lets go of your hand, in case someone walks between you, in case your child takes of running.

Exactly. You never know what will make a little one decide to bolt off in one direction or another.

As I mentioned, it's peace of mind - all children are different. Disney is huge - I find myself incessantly counting my kids when we're there.

Amazing what people will criticize. Smh.

 

[g8torphan]

We get it, you hate harnesses. Even at the expense of losing your own children. THAT seems like a ridiculous choice, but you are free to make it.

Was there a rash of kids disappearring at WDW that we're unaware of?
WDW is one of the safest places on the planet for kids.


What about teaching your kids some personal responsability?
Explain what to do if they get seperated.
Explain the consiquences of their actions to them.

 

[maxiesmom]

Was there a rash of kids disappearring at WDW that we're unaware of?
WDW is one of the safest places on the planet for kids.


What about teaching your kids some personal responsability?
Explain what to do if they get seperated.
Explain the consiquences of their actions to them.

That poster admitted to losing her children before.

 

[Magpie]

Have any of you guys tried shock collars to keep your kids in the yard? I hate it when people get all judgmental about putting a shock collar on our kids. I'm putting it on them for their safety. As a parent who's afraid of my kids running out into the street, it seems negligent to me to not put a shock collar on them. I mean, we do it for dogs, so why not do it for kids? The shock doesn't actually hurt - I've tested it on myself. It gives me peace of mind and makes it easier for me to keep track of them, and that's the important thing.

Actually, many, many people refuse to use shock collars on dogs. They're highly controversial.

On the other hand, a great deal of the lessons learned in dog training can be applied very successfully to toddlers.

Be clear.

Be consistent.

Use positive reinforcement.

Correct unwanted behaviour immediately.

Don't punish. (Because, like puppies, toddlers don't easily connect past behaviour with present punishment.)

Redirect. Distract.

Supervise. Puppies, like toddlers, need near constant supervision.

Train. A well-trained child knows how to behave in most situations, and will be calmer and happier. The same is also true of puppies. Putting the time in now will save you considerable grief in the future.

Set them up for success! The more often they're successful, the more inclined they'll be to repeat the behaviours you want.

Ensure their environment is safe. Baby or puppy proof as necessary. This is actually part of setting them up for success. It's not fair to leave a bowl of candy out, and then punish them for reaching for it. Put the candy away!

Expose them to as many new and novel situations as you can manage. Provide opportunities for socialization.

You can do a LOT worse than treat your toddler like a dog. In fact, an excellent dog owner is likely to be an excellent parent, as well.

 

[jk and ek]

for all the parents that are pro-leash; if you are secure in your decision to use them, maybe try not be so defensive about it. if you think they are the right choice for you, just own it. when you argue about it, you sound like you're self conscious and trying to convince yourself that you're doing the right thing because you certainly aren't going to convince the anti-leash crowd.

i mean, i guess this can apply to a lot of parenting decisions people argue about. i get that it's hard to not take things personally when people don't agree with the things you do with your children, but if you're doing the right thing you should feel good enough about it to not feel the need to get up in arms about it when somebody disagrees.

 

[kellyjeanie]

for all the parents that are pro-leash; if you are secure in your decision to use them, maybe try not be so defensive about it. if you think they are the right choice for you, just own it. when you argue about it, you sound like you're self conscious and trying to convince yourself that you're doing the right thing because you certainly aren't going to convince the anti-leash crowd.

i mean, i guess this can apply to a lot of parenting decisions people argue about. i get that it's hard to not take things personally when people don't agree with the things you do with your children, but if you're doing the right thing you should feel good enough about it to not feel the need to get up in arms about it when somebody disagrees.

Pro-leash: We used them, they worked for us but we understand they're not for everyone! Your miles may vary, whatever works to keep your kids safe.

Anti-leash: YOUR KIDS ARE NOT DOGS WHY ARE YOU TREATING YOUR KIDS LIKE DOGS LEARN SOME PARENTING YOU LOOK RIDICULOUS

Pro-leash: Hey, they're not that bad!

Anti-leash: Why are you so defensive?

 

[Magpie]

for all the parents that are pro-leash; if you are secure in your decision to use them, maybe try not be so defensive about it. if you think they are the right choice for you, just own it. when you argue about it, you sound like you're self conscious and trying to convince yourself that you're doing the right thing because you certainly aren't going to convince the anti-leash crowd.

i mean, i guess this can apply to a lot of parenting decisions people argue about. i get that it's hard to not take things personally when people don't agree with the things you do with your children, but if you're doing the right thing you should feel good enough about it to not feel the need to get up in arms about it when somebody disagrees.

For all the parents that are anti-leash; if you are so secure in your decision not to use them, maybe try not to be so defensive about it.

Actually, I think this is called "debate". It happens a lot om message boards.

(Full disclosure: Despite being on the pro-leash side of this argument, I never actually used one with my own kids. )