Toddler on a leash?

[3SillyKids]

I think they are GREAT!!! Better safe then sorry, im overprotective but you have to be these days. I have twins, they like to explore & this gives me a little peace knowing that if I had to drop there hand for a few secs that they would still be right there.

 

[3_disprincesses]

I never felt like I needed to restrain my oldest child. My sister has 5 children and none of them were ever made to wear one of these. BUT...my other child is an entirely different story. She is fast and determined...I love that about her! She had a "leash" if that's what you want to call it. But hers was a Fanny Pack with a detachable strap. I didn't want her riding in the stroller while we were shopping (walking at the mall is great exercise for everyone) is the main reason we bought it - she would be free to walk through the mall and I would be able to carry packages. Also kept a close reign on her while I was looking on the clothes racks or whatever. I'm sorry it's been a few years since we bought it and I have no idea where it came from but she found it the other day, took the strap off and was wearing the fanny pack just like Mom did at WDW last year. If you have time you may be able to find one on the internet. Or if you're creative enough you can probably just put together one using a Disney Fanny Pack, a "D" Clip and a strap of some kind.

 

[3_disprincesses]

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[tasha99]

My kids have outgrown things like leashes and strollers, but when DD was 2 at Disneyland, we used a leash when she wasn't in her backpack (I always preferred my kids up on my back rather than in a stroller.) I held DD's hand all the time anyway; the leash was the backup in case we lost contact. I can't imagine getting judgmental about the use of leashes in a place like WDW because I think it's naive to think getting separated is impossible.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I don't like them and don't use them. Yes my kids are all young. If you want to use one I don't really care but they are not for me. I did want to add that if you are going to use them at least pay attention to your kids. Don't have them walking all the way ahead of you or across the sidewalk from you. It is dangerous for them and others.

 

[2littleprincesses28]

I too like the ones that done't look like a leash! I used to hate them before I had kids...but they are just to fast for us not to use one!! We'll be using one whrn we go!! At Target and Walmart they have animal shaped ones.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I never used them on my oldest two. My DH and I thought it was horrible. Now, with our little one it is a different story. Three times now he has run off on us (and he is a fast one) once on the sidewalk of a very fast street. Needless to say I have found a cute monkey backpack style type that we use and he thinks it is great. We will put his cup or a small toy in it so he thinks he has his bag with him. It sure is a great way for him to walk along with us (he does not like the stroller or store buggies) gives him his sense of freedom and me peace of mind. (We joke he has a monkey on his back when people comment--and we get comments going both ways).
And We always hold his hand and he helps to hold the monkey's tail when he does where it. We don't want him to get tangled or tangle us both and end up flat on our ____. LOL! Good luck in your decision.

 

[Binnie]

I LOVE HARNESSES. But not for the reason that most moms do... My mother was a wanderer. She considered it my responsibility to keep up with her--even though she's better than Houdini at disappearing! I would have loved to have a harness so that I would have known where she was all the time. Having your mom disappear when you're little is a really horrible feeling. So I had no hesitation whatsoever about introducing DD to the harness when she started walking.

DH had very different feelings when I introduced the harness. He hated the idea... until he was repsonsible for her at the zoo one day. Then he realized how much better it is to know where your child is at all times.

I'm fortunate in that DD loves her harness (her puppy). She'll ask for it, and gets mad if she doesn't have it when we're out and about.

 

[~Kristina~]

IF I have to use one on our upcoming trip, dd WILL be holding our hand. I WILL be using the harness if the parks are crowded and if she throws a fit about sitting in the stroller. Using the harness SHOULD BE A BACKUP in case the toddler/child gets lose. But that's just my opinion.

 

[PEANUT1]

I have used the harness that looks like a little pink purse. It is really cute and my daughter puts her sunglasses and such in it.

I don't use it all the time, but on occasion I have no problem using it. My daughter is 2 years old.

 

[Leajess99]

IF I have to use one on our upcoming trip, dd WILL be holding our hand. I WILL be using the harness if the parks are crowded and if she throws a fit about sitting in the stroller. Using the harness SHOULD BE A BACKUP in case the toddler/child gets lose. But that's just my opinion.

I kept the tail rolled up some on our harness last October when we went. My DD was fine with it and still had room to move but was also safe and close to me because her sister had already been stepped on by a guy that was over 6 feet tall. My 10 year old is 4 feet tall and she had been walking next to me but the guy was not paying attention where he was walking. We were talking about it today at Wally when another guy almost stepped on her. She asked if she was really invisible. Poor girl. lol

 

[Wendybird55]

As you can see this is a popular subject with MANY different and good opinions.
I was in you same situation last year. We went a few weeks before DS 2nd birthday and he too is a VERY active and independent child. I wasnb't sure about a harness and decided to get one. The one I got you can put around your waist to keep both hands free or hold on by hand. I tried it out a few times before we went and he was leading me around! But I brought it just the same.

AND - I didn't need it at all in Disney. First of all he was good staying in his striller as there are so many things to see and catch his interest while walking through the parks. And waiting on lines wasn't that bad as again we were able to keep him interested in the sights and such in the waiting queues and it wasn't too crowded when we went.

One major suggestion I have is take your daughter to the playgournd areas they have in the parks. In MK there's Pooh's Corner (by Pooh ride) and Donalds boat and another playground in Toon town. In AK there's one in Dinoland and in DHS there's the Honey I Shrunk the Kids (not sure about EPCOT as we didn't spend much time there).

My son LOVED the play areas. There was only one entrance / exit area and the rest was enclosed and they weren't too big so it was easy to keep my eye on my son while letting hom run around and play. He had a great time in all the play areas plus it was a great way to let him get out his energy and run around and play with other toddlers. Depending upon how active your child is, you will be running around chasing her in the play areas. But, as I said, it's a confined and easier to keep her safe from running too far off.

Also, a great suggestion from another DISER I got was to make up stiker labels for your child. I got a sheet of avery labels and on it put my childs name and the cell phone numbers of "Mommy" , "Daddy" and "Aunt Linda".

Every morning I stuck one of these stickers on the back of my son's shirt (so he won't see it and try to take it off) and I had estras with me just in case it fell off or got wet or something. This way if for any reason he got away from me a CM or someone will see our phone numbers an call. But that never happened (thank goodness).

So I say it's worth the $20 or so you will spend to get a harness. It may work great for your daugher or may not, but you won't know until you get there and I think it's worth having for piece of mind. As many parents have already said on this thread, whatever it takes to keep your child safe is worth it and don't mind what other people may say or think - she's your daughter and her safety comes first.

Have fun!

 

[thf913]

I am getting one for DS (2) for our trip in March. When we went last Jan., he was 13 months old and wasn't walking well, yet. He was content to stay in the stroller. Now, he is a wild man! He does not like to stay in the stroller especially if DS (5) is out and about. He also will not hold hands and thinks it's funny to run from me.

I was also one of those people who would never use a harness. That was until DS #2 came along. If he can get out of my sight in Target, I can't imagine what WDW will be like!

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I personally haven't used a harness at WDW...The kids were always happy to be in their stroller because there is so much to see. And we make sure we stop in safe places for leg stretching and running around.

I have nothing against the harness but I just worry (like others have said) about the crowds...It can get very very pushy at times in the parks.. I could so see the story about the man tripping over the child. You don't know how many times I've had to say please watch out for the baby in the stroller because people (men mostly) aren't watching and trying to get by fast. Its crazy... they push past you just to get in the next line.. Slow the heck down people...

 

[Belle72]

I don't get the responses that suggest the harnesses/backpacks/leashes are demeaning to a toddler. Helloooo...I wipe his bottom, he wears diapers, I cut his food up and sometimes hand feed him, he has to follow all my rules about bedtime, meal time, play time etc.. including what to wear, play with and eat. I strap him into a car seat, he has to sit in the grocery carts strapped in, in the stroller strapped in. I have to teach him how to behave- at a park or anywhere else....these are things that may be demeaning for an adult but are for a child's safety. I agree that years ago it was not common, the world may be different now, and maybe the harnesses take some getting used to.

I would never use mine in a very crowded place, and never without paying attention (that could lead to entanglement), but kids can and do wrench their hand away from a parent even if it is for two seconds. Two seconds is too much for a busy park like Disney. It is not feasible that a child will stay in a backpack or a stroller for a full day- they need to walk. Little ones at 18 mos - 2 years are still learning the rules so you can and should teach them good behavior, but some are high spirited and this is the way to keep them safe until they learn. I think it is way more demeaning for a child to be reprimanded constantly while on family vacation than to walk along on a leash (which- I think some may not understand that this is not a dog leash- it is only two feet long or so- not much more than a child's arm and ours looks like a stuffed animal backpack and we hold the tail- seems like most have this type these days!)

The negative comments must be coming from people like me with a child like my DD , I changed my mind when DS came along!!

 

[mommyrants]

I picked up the Eddie Bauer Monkey Backpack harness at Target Saturday for $8. My 18 mo is not used to a stroller, if he won't ride, he's going to have to wear it as he can cut through a crowd.

 

[ilovmy3kidz]

There was another thread like this not to long ago and I remember somebody with something that went sort of like this:
You hold your hand up in the air for an hour and tell me you're not cranky!

that is the funniest thing ever!

I used one for ds when he was little (used to bolt in parking lots), but the girls never needed one. Most of them are so cute at WDW, and if people have a problem, they can get over it.

The only one I ever saw that I was a bit appaled at was this Christmas at WDW. Mom had 2 kids with her - not toddler age more like 7 or 9 and typically developing by the look of it - they had clips attatched from them to her - not the kiddie leashes. They were that plastic twisty springy stuff like you can use for your keys? (I have one on my key chain that is a loop and you can put it on your wrist, some I've seen are a longer plastic part with a clip). Anyway, they were like 5 feet long! and the kids were running around, crossing behind her, in front of her, running in front of other people (which in the Christmas crowds is pretty amazing). It seemed like they were just clipped to Mom so Mom didn't have to bother with them. I felt like the currator in Night at the Museum.."CONTROL YOUR YOUNG!". That was more of an instance of odd parenting I think.

I think it's totally appropriate for your basic under 5 set and maybe a little older - depending on your child.

 

[DISNEYNV]

I used the cute monkey shaped harness for our DS in December and plan on using it again on our next trip in May. I too hated them before I had kids but now understand why parents use them. DE didn't need one but DS is all over the place when he wants out of the stroller. I do not use it all the time, just at crowded places. He can easily dart in front of or around people in no time flat! Better safe than sorry

 

[Vijoge]

Always makes me wonder - if they do good on the potty training part - do they get a biscuit?

We started using vanilla wafers here-the kids didn't like the milkbones all that much.

 

[smidgy]

BOY!!! do I wish they had those when my boys (ages 27 and 30) were little. you BET I woulda used it!!

I always swore I'd never use one, and I never did. However, I was fortunate enough that I didn't ever really need to. As a mom, I knew my kids, and I knew what they needed. In that exact respect, as a mom, you know what your kiddo needs. If there's *any* chance at all that your DD might get separated from you, then of course having a harness is a better idea than not!

The same people who throw the superior glares your way are the ones who would be lookin at you with scornful pity should you actually lose a child in a park. And like another poster pointed out, the only time entanglement becomes an issue is when an adult is cutting between parent and child. If that's the case, then the adult deserves to wind up tushie-down. Disney is primarily for kids, so people who are so commando that they are barreling around heedless of little ones make me SO angry. They deserve what they get.

I agree with this whole post except what I bold faced. disney is not primarily for kids!! hubby and I go alone all the time!

I have a question so please don't laugh at me.

Would one of these backpack harnesses be appropriate for a 5 year old? I don't know where we're going on vacation this summer but I'm betting it's either WDW or US/IOA and I don't think that DS would sit still in his stroller. He did last summer and that was probably one of the few last times we'll get to use that stroller. He's also very adventuresome and I just don't want to lose him in a big crowd.

if you want to use it for your 5 year old, you go right ahead!!!

Nope - stringing my kids along on a leash like a pet is not an added benefit. It's demoralizing and degrading in my opinion. Your opinion differs - so do a lot of others. So what. The OP asked for opinions.

I just feel that teaching children respect and discipline along with being children is far more valuable. So, yeah - I get it.

I taught my kids respect AND discipline. I also put away knickknacks, etc. out of reach. I did have unbreakable , undangerous things out, to TEACH him not to grab and touch. a friend said I should put things out and "teach him" so I did. one day later, wouldn't you know my 3 year old, managed to open a wooden treasure bos and pop an Buffalo Head nickel in his mouth and swallow it? and I only turned away for a moment!!! thankfully he was ok!!!

yes, teach your children, but also keep them safe in case they test their limits.