Toddlers in DL: to leash or not to leash?

[ByTheHook]

My DW is seriously considering a "kid-leash" for our trailblazing DS3 upon our arrival at DL (holiday weekend), but I'm wondering how necessary that really will be. From your own experiences/ observations at DL:

1.) How common a practice is this for families w/ "energetic" kids?

2.) What are the typical reactions/ looks we'd get while there?

3.) What will likely happen to his personality after being/ looking like this for a full day (or more) at DL?

4.) Anything else to consider/ prepare for if she gets her way w/ this crazy idea?

Thanks, everyone. I'm really dreading the prospect-- and would much rather use the good ol' "fair warning then back to the stroller (as nec.)" practice.

 

[powellrj]

If the search feature is working, you will find lots of posts on this topic.

My own personal take is do whatever you feel comfortable with. We used a harness with my oldest DS because he loved to be free and hated a stroller. My other 2 were happy in a stroller so thats what we used for them.

I would suggest a harness over a leash because I worry about pulling their hands or wrist out of their socket.

 

[Mono~rail]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1225248

This is a link to the thread I started last week on the subject.

I bought the monkey backpack ones from Wal-Mart for my twin DD's. These are such cleverly disguised "leashes" that no one will have time to make rude comments. You will be gone before they figure it out. They make a puppy one, too. My local WM only had the monkey, and my girls love them!

My best friend visited us yesterday, and when her little boy (same age as my twins) saw their monkeys, he wanted one put on him. He wore it around my house and kept putting the tail in our hands having us lead him around. It was C*U*T*E!
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4532497

 

[Kevenswife2]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4532497

How cute! Funny, add a little fur and a cute monkey head and tail and I have a whole different opinion of the "leash". I wouldn't think twice if I saw you with this.

Where I live people take actual dog leashes and hook them to their kids pants...please don't do that! I have a whole different opinion of that.

 

[iluvpiglet]

When DNiece was little, we used the "bracelet" leash and she loved it. She said we had matching "bracelets" which made it "fun". You really do need it in a crowd with an energetic child. It worked great for us. I would highly recommend one.

 

[sgmom]

We have always been non believers of using the kid leash. Our DS loved the stroller when he was younger (and still does). However, DD2 is a different story. She hates holding hands when walking so we were given a harness / leash and will be packing it into our bags "just in case" when we make our trip. I tried it on her and had the same reaction, she thought it was fun to walk around the house with mom "chasing" her! DH has agreed to pack it just in case because we don't want DD getting lost!

I saw this monkey one at WalMart and thought it was cute. Just don't get something that has a really long "leash" or you may end up wrapping around people or the kind that wrap around the wrist... I would hate to see marks if the strap rubbed the little one's wrist. And as far as what your kid will think... they probably won't remember it in a couple of months if it isn't something they use on a daily basis at home!

 

[Aliisa]

We went last month with our DS who just turned 2 and I WISH I had brought mine! He wanted to walk a lot, but its just so busy and chasing after him was not fun- I really regretted not bringing it. I saw the animal ones EVERYWHERE, and I did notice people commenting on them- but only because they were so cute

 

[Memaw2Wm]

When my now 33 y.o. was an active toddler I had a kid-harness for him. It was wonderful ... he had the *freedom* he loved and yet he couldn't wander off.

 

[jeepgirl30]

I have used the harness leash with DD in the past just a few times. She would request it actually. The first time I used it I told her it was so mommy didn't get lost. We hooked it to my purse to give her plenty of slack. It was never tight.

I did get some nasty looks but you know what? I'd rather them look at me like that than look at me with pity for a lost child never found.

I also had a couple people give me nods of approval.

As with all parenting, you have to do what works for you and your child.

 

[surfgirl]

My personal opinion: no. never.

And yes, I've taken small kids to parks. My parenting style - if they can't listen, they aren't old enough to have the privilege of going to the parks.

Based on most of the responses, I'm clearly in the minority here, but I also hate when parents use them in a crowd and get the 'leash' tangled around people, things etc. I'm sure there are many who would like to prove me wrong, "my child is different than yours because.... "

I also believe if you have 2 adults and one child, you should be able to manage keeping track of one child.

For a point of reference, I took 3 kids (6,4,2) to a 100,000+ person football game this weekend. (dh had to fly for work, so we went anyway) They did awesome and we had a blast! But they also knew if they didn't listen, we wouldn't go again (we have season tickets).

You asked for an opinion, I shared mine. Let's not start a war over whose parenting style is right and whose is wrong. Clearly, I believe mine is right for my family and others may disagree.

just my 2c.

 

[Mono~rail]

You asked for an opinion, I shared mine. Let's not start a war over whose parenting style is right and whose is wrong. Clearly, I believe mine is right for my family and others may disagree.

just my 2c.

No one is telling anyone to harness their kids. If you don't want to then don't, but it isn't any of your business if someone else does it. They are doing what they feel is right for their family, and you may disagree.

 

[surfgirl]

No one is telling anyone to harness their kids. If you don't want to then don't, but it isn't any of your business if someone else does it. They are doing what they feel is right for their family, and you may disagree.

Yes, I disagree. The title of this thread was asking 'to leash or not to leash?'
I answered that question. Was I defensive ? Yes, a bit. Probably not necessary, but I feel strongly about this.

If someone else does it, it HAS been my business because it HAS affected me. At WDW I've had the situation where a parent put their child on a long leash and let them run in-between people and gotten tangled. Could it be a major safety hazard if used inproperly and wound around a neck? Absolutely.

I'm not saying that anyone here used it improperly or was the problem. But I've have seen it used improperly. And yes, it affected me.

THAT is why I feel strongly about it. Does that make more sense ?

 

[Mono~rail]

Yes, I disagree. The title of this thread was asking 'to leash or not to leash?'
I answered that question. Was I defensive ? Yes, a bit. Probably not necessary, but I feel strongly about this.

If someone else does it, it HAS been my business because it HAS affected me. At WDW I've had the situation where a parent put their child on a long leash and let them run in-between people and gotten tangled. Could it be a major safety hazard if used inproperly and wound around a neck? Absolutely.

I'm not saying that anyone here used it improperly or was the problem. But I've have seen it used improperly. And yes, it affected me.

THAT is why I feel strongly about it. Does that make more sense ?

Do you recognize the difference in your tone from the other posts in this thread?

 

[Nanu57v]

I do. It took away my . Now I'm

 

[surfgirl]

yep. I admitted I'm defensive about this. I try not to get a 'tone', but I can't help it.

We had a situation where someone behind us in line had a leash on their child and were busy 'chatting' ... consequently, he (leash child) was whacking (sp?) my kids, running around the line pole things and getting tangled, etc. not a good situation.

nanu57v, it definitely made me very

---
edited to add: maybe if I had explained the 'backstory' a little better in my original post rather than rely on generalizations, that would have been better. However, I still stand by my 'no'.

 

[Aliisa]

I've been hit by strollers a million times, but I certainly don't think if you need a stroller you should go to the parks!!!!

 

[monorailsilver]

I think it all depends on your child & how well she/he listen to you.

We took my dd when she was 15 months old to WDW.

She started to take her first steps when she was about 9 months old & pretty much fully walking at 10 months old.

As soon as she realized she could walk (and we bought her shoes) she didn't want to sit in the stroller which was not fun for me (because I thought 1 child was so difficult & now I have 3 & realize how easy 1 was).

Fast forward to Disney. We put her in the stroller that first day at the MK. We took her out to go on a ride & then we put her back in & she freaked out because she wanted to walk but we wouldn't let her. Then she realized we were walking to another ride & after that she was OK with sitting in the stroller.

We went to Epcot one night (OK we were there many nights but this one night sticks out), she got out of her stroller & pushed it & walked the country.

It was me & DH & her. She never ran off & personally I couldn't leash my child. I know some people do & have to do so & that is fine because it isn't my child.

She listens now when we tell her to stay by us & our trip last summer when she was 4 she sat in a stroller & walked a bit too but she still stayed by us.

My ds who is 3 (he was 22 mo when he went to Disney), also sat in a stroller but when he'd go running we knew he was going to stop as soon as he realized he was running into a stranger. Then he came back to us. When he refuses to hold my hand say in a parking lot, I wrap my hand around his forearm this way I know he is safe yet I am not holding his hand.

All I have to say to him is "there is a car coming it is going to run you over" & he comes back.

My 3rd is not at the walking stage yet & still thinking about crawling.

So no I would not use a leash.

But that monkey one is cute but I still wouldn't use it.

 

[horseshowmom]

We used the one connected by wristbands with our DD when she was little, and we were at Disney. I always thought it was much easier for both of us than holding hands. She was well-behaved, but it's easy for a child to slip out of site in a split second. We continued to monitor her (didn't just let her run around just because she was attached to us).

BTW, the ones with the backpacks were adorable!

 

[bedgraynexl]

I realy don't have an opinion either way, but do have an amusing anecdote. While we were at DL this summer Alice and the Mad Hatter were walking through while we were waiting in line for a ride. They kept commenting on all the kids on leashes and asking the parents what pet shop they bought their child at, if it was tame, could they pet the child, does it bite? Fortunately the parents saw it was all in good fun and played along. Down the path they saw another child on a leash and off they went. We were all pretty amused, but the parents left the leashes on.

 

[pbharris4]

My suggestion:

Buy a one of those dog, puppy or monkey harness (they are cute) at Target or Walmart and keep the receipt. If you get there and decide not to use it then take it back. I'm not a harness lover and for me it would be a last resort. But I'd never judge anyone else if they used one. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

I was debating this harness thing this past summer. My 3 yo loves to take off-darts into stores, under racks, etc. I was dreading what it would be like in WDW. I bought the puppy harness and then took it back because we didn't need it. I decided to keep her in the stroller and let her out when she wanted.

If anything..she didn't run off anywhere. Because we let her walk when she wanted (most of the time). It was also June so it was hot and she didn't feel like walking. I think she was kind of overwhelmed and it being crowded and a new place she didn't feel comfortable "venturing" out.

There were a few times she didn't like being put in the stroller, but we just strapped her in and said she couldn't do whatever she wanted. 5 minutes later she was fine.