Toddlers in DL: to leash or not to leash?

[ByTheHook]

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.

Thanks, everyone.
I should have known this topic would open up some strong feelings on each side, and I certainly didn't mean to set anybody up against anyone else.

I really appreciate the feedback-- my DW already likes the "monkey backpack" idea (sigh), but I'm still uncertain if this would be my first option while there. I still like the idea of holding the DT (Disney Terror? ;-) )'s hand or having him hold onto the stroller first as we walk, then a warning if he doesn't stick w/ us this way, then automatic stroller-time if he ventures off again. It's good to know what other alternatives are out there, but I'm just so weirded out by the idea of harnessing him from even our first entry into the park.

How common a sight are the "harnessed"/ leashed toddlers at DL, from what you've seen lately (no one has answered this yet)?

Thanks again!

 

[maxiesmom]

I saw the bracelet ones at a local dollar store. If you are not sure you are going to use it, this is one way to have one and not worry about the $$ spent.

Let me say, I used to hate the leashes. I thought they looked terrible, like you didn't care enough about you child to spend time watching them. Now that I have gotten a little older, I can totally understand why people use them. Expecially in a place like Disney, where there are tons of people and tons of thing to grab a child's attention. As long as you are careful when using them and still keep an eye on your little one, who cares what other people think?

 

[Aliisa]

Hi,
When we went last month I saw more than ever and was kicking myself for not bringing one. I think because of the monkey- they were everywhere- they are cute! We took our DD 5, and DS who just turned 2. They are both very good, but my son is a normal 2 year old and did want to walk at times. Of course putting a 2 year old down and in the Magic Kingdom he is going to want to run to things. I don't think harnesses are meant to be used as leashes, but a way to have your active toddler be able to have some independence, but still within your reach. Would I use one at the mall- no . But a very crowed amusement park is different story. You will be able to relax a little more. But if you are really that uncomfortable with it don't use one. You will be fine- maybe just running a little more Have a great time!!

 

[tanyaandallie]

We are going in Nov. and I'm much more concerned about my 18 mos old than my 3 year old. My 3 year old dd is pretty shy and overwhelmed by crowds so there is just no way she would run away. If I tell her to hold the side of the stroller, she will. Not to mention she will want to be in the stroller if there is a huge crowd. My little guy will be 20 mos then and has no shyness and no caution. I have a harness and will use it if we need to. I'd prefer to have him safetly tucked into the stroller or in my sling or carrier!

For me it's a safety issue. If you feel your child is safer with the harness, go for it. The last thing you want is to lose him in the park! These kids are quick and dart out of sight in no time, even if you are paying attention.

 

[Laurajean1014]

No leash.

 

[acornell2]

I used to HATEHATEHATE those leashes years ago. I thought it looked like you were out walking your dog, and thought it was demeaning.

Now that I am a parent and have an EXTREMELY active and rambunctious 2 year old, I have resigned myself to using one. Do I think they are the be all, end all? No. Do I feel comfortable using it? No. Do I think my kid will be permanently scarred from being at the end of one? No. Do I realize just how fast even the best watched kids can wander off or be snatched? Yep. That's why I don't want to be one of those parents bawling on the 6 o'clock news that I just don't know HOW my kid could have disappeared, because I was watching him 'so well'. In the instant it takes to pull exact change out of your pocket, admire an item in a gift shop window, or look skyward at a starting fireworks show, your child can be GONE. I am more than willing to sacrifice a little dignity, and swallow my pride a bit (my mother LOVES to remind me how much I hated the leashes) to ensure my kid is safe. My son will NOT sit in a stroller day in & day out. He has boundless energy, and wants to be out & about. The leash allows him to have the freedom he craves as well as the peace of mind I require. I realize these are not completely foolproof, but I want to make it as difficult as possible for my kid to get away, even for a second.

So I guess what it boils down to is this. What is more important to you...dirty looks from a few people you don't know and will never see again, or a secure, happy kid that is enjoying their vacation (along with everyone with them!)?

And as for the poster who was all bent out of shape about getting wrapped up in an extra long leash, accidents happen. Disney is FULL of kids, so you should expect a few mishaps such as getting a little tangled in a leash. I doubt any of it is intentional or intended to cause you injury. Alert the parents if they are unaware you are tangled, accept their apology and move along.

 

[Maleficent13]

I am curious about the animal harnesses...did your kids find it made them overly warm to wear?

 

[pbharris4]

I have seem them at WDW. I'd see maybe 5-10 children (during the summer) with a harness on.

 

[Ash aka sky]

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.

Are you serious?

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.

Sounds more like the parents were the problem not the harness to me it doesn't matter what my kids are doing I do not stop supervising them to have a conversation even when they are fastened in a stroller.

Where exactly do you draw the line? my mother had her foot ran over by a heavy guy riding one of those electric rental scooters things and had problems with her foot weeks after getting home. I have had quite a few near misses with those myself not to mention the numerous times I have been hit by strollers (those hard plastic WDW rental stroller HURT when they hit). Kids using harnesses are low on my list of worries.

As a mother of a 3 year old and a 6 month old I do own a harness I think it has been used 3 times twice at the mall and once at a local butterfly garden. It will be on my packing list for our up coming trip, whether it is used or not who knows I want to have it there as a just incase.

I liked what someone else said on the boards with regard to harnesses (think about it everytime the subject comes up). Better on a leash than on a milk carton... good point.

 

[NemoMOm]

Yeah, I have to agree that it depends on the child. I used to think they were terrible before I had a child. Now, the mother of DS (19 mos) I worry about not having one. He doesn't like wearing them. Of course, he doesn't like the stroller either. If he would wear one it would be on him in a heartbeat. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to bruise his wrist because he is always trying to pull away from having his hand held. If you let go he'll run like the wind. He thinks it's funny to have you chase him. I had th is happen at the security gate last month while visiting my mom. I had to put him down to put the stroller (it holds the diaper bag ) thru security. I had my eyes on him and thank god, because he flew! Nothing like that had every happenned before and I was only a few steps behind him , but wow my heart stopped. You do not want that happenning in a crowd. Thankfully we were in a tiny airport in WY and the security guards thought it was funny.

If you have an active toddler like I do I would leash.

 

[Mono~rail]

I am curious about the animal harnesses...did your kids find it made them overly warm to wear?

We haven't used our's outdoors yet, but my 18 month DD's find the monkeys and bring them to me to put on them! Today, they walked around for a few hours wearing them and "leading" each other around. They got angry when I made them take them off.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Yes to "leashes". We used a harness leash on DD when she was 2 1/2 on a trip to Oregon. There's no way I would have gone through Atlanta airport without one! I have already gotten a bracelet leash for her for WDW next month--she's now 5, and requested it herself. DD never felt constrained and we used it so we all felt safe and secure and I wouldn't have to worry about her becoming lost in a split second. Never noticed what other people thought or looks we got.

 

[SGB13]

We ordered the Ion Kids wrist monitors for our kids for our trip. They may not make you feel as secure as being attached to your child. But if you don't like the idea of the leash, it would give you some security. It's an electronic locator that your kids wear like a watch, if they get too far from the main unit that you carry, both parts alarm. The best part is the main unit will tell you which direction the child is from the main unit, so you know which way to go if you don't see them.

 

[Hannathy]

Nope would never use them! I absolutely hate those things,Hated them before children and hate them after children and I do think you look like you are walking a dog. I do have children and have taken them many places like airports, and Disney and never had to use them. I totally believe a 3 yr old is more than old enough to stay with her parents at Disney.

 

[acornell2]

Nope would never use them! I absolutely hate those things,Hated them before children and hate them after children and I do think you look like you are walking a dog. I do have children and have taken them many places like airports, and Disney and never had to use them. I totally believe a 3 yr old is more than old enough to stay with her parents at Disney.

Then I guess you should just consider yourself lucky that your child or children are not so overly active or excitable that you don't need one....some of us are not that 'lucky'.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

I have never seen the leashes "up close" ... But if there is A LOT of slack, and a long distance for the kids to run ahead (esp in parks) My concern would be a stranger quickly taking it off of the child and running off. I have a vivid imagination, I know. I would just worry...

The monkey one looks adorable, and seems "less" like you are walking the dog. No offense to anyone.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We just got back today and saw lots of families with kids on leashes and really wish we had one for DS2.5. He was quite the handful to keep up with and really wanted to be on the go. DH got tired of chasing him and DS absolutely hated being strapped in the stroller when we needed a break from chasing him. If we had bought a leash like you see in the photos our trip probably would've been a little less stressful. We'll see if he needs one the next time we go, but probably not since we probably won't go again for about a year and DS will be almost 4.

 

[Oceana]

I am not one to use a leash on my own kids. I can see how it would help with some children though.

My problem is people who use the leash not as a deterent from little suzie running away because every other effort has been exhausted but as a rein to pull their kid in the direction mom or dad want them to go in.

on our last trip I saw a dad with his daughter on a leash and he was standing behind her tugging the leash. she was looking in a window. He wasnt holding her hand he wasnt talking to her he wasnt listening to what she had to say he wasnt taking a moment to look around he was just tugging and tugging in his own world clearly having lost sight of "taking the kids to disney" he wasnt moving her out of harms way. he never used his words to ask her to come he just tugged and tugged. we were waiting on the parade so I watched them from arrival to leaving and never a word between them never eye contact he treated her with less respect than an animal on a leash... this I do have issue with

I wanted to add. I have a high spirited 3 year old and a 1 year old who started walking days before we went to disney this september. I think the trick was how we behave at home. We never use a stroller at home ever so sitting in the stroller was something special for our trip so both kids enjoyed it. If they didnt want to be in the stroller they could hold our hands or sit in the stroller anyway. I also had my baby carrier sling with me for when I knew they needed a sitting break but didnt want to let them walk

I do have a rather long emotional leash on my 3 year old and will let him even at disney run ahead and come back. I turned it into a game so I have control over how far he is from me yet he gets to bounce and run and move.

We also daily have hand holding, if he doesnt want to hold my hand he holds my bottom. Yeah it sounds crass but he holds the back of my shirt or the loop on my blue jeans. I feel his tug so I know he is there and he doesnt have to hold MY hand yep my clothes get stretched out and I look silly with him dancing behind me choking me with my shirt collar but its all about compromise

giving kids a little control goes a long way

the walking game: my son walks infront of me I give commands. example stop, jump, turn around, touch your knees, spin, come back, turn left, turn right, touch your nose, stand on 1 foot, freeze and count to 10.

the game gives him the ability to move but gives me the control of how far he can get. He wants to stay close so he can hear the game commands. I get to teach him how to count practice body parts and even the difference of left and right. He is in the lead giving him a feeling of being in control even though he is NOT

Best part is my 1 year old loves to watch this game and typically howls with laughter which encourages my 3 year old to keep playing

we play this at home so when we got to the park it was old hat and we could play successfully

sure buy and take the leash but keep it as a last resort. practice at home. tell your kids about the importance of holding your hand, hold hands because you love it not because it will keep your kid safe and see how much more enjoyable it is. Find a creative way to get your kids to do what you want them to do, Yes disney is just 1 trip why not set your kid up with better tools than last resorts

after all the worry and concern, my sweet boy would reach out and hold my hand on rides... it works

 

[Nanu57v]

DD ran away from me at JC Penney last night (she's 18 months). She thought she was playing hide and seek. I wouldn't use the leash at Penney's (back carrier or stroller next time), but definately will at Disney (tomorrow!!!). Its just not practical to never let her down the whole trip.

I love the monkey one. We didn't see that though and ordered the bear from Eddie Bauer at Target.

 

[disneybridetobe]

I think the monkey leashes are a great idea, both for very energetic kids, and for their own safety and my peace of mind. I saw quite a few children with the little monkeys on, and I think they are adorable, and didn't see a child that seemed to mind. OTOH, I did see a ton of little ones who wouldn't stay in their strollers!! to leashes.