Toddlers in DL: to leash or not to leash?

[Oceana]

Um dont knock the carrier till you tried it. I have an ergo and its a really fantastic carrier. I carry my 35lb 3 year old in it when I need to... when its unsafe for him to walk all the time and its not hard. The weight is distributed really well and he is comfortable. Gets to see the world from my height which is much cooler looking than seeing everyones thighs

Here is my 1 year old in the ergo, notice he is in a sitting position

It is an alternative to a leash if you are uncertain you want to leash your kid this might be the best solution. ergo goes up officially to 45lbs and have a photo of an adult wearing a 100lb adult in one on the website

I understand why some parents think their only option is a leash just dont use it as a way to control your kid by the yanking like I wrote in the story above

julie

 

[MATTERHORN]

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'.

There's no luck about it. My child is excited and active and energetic, but they know I mean business when they need to stay by me or hang onto the stroller. One PP said everyone at the airport laughed when her kid ran of from her, that's the problem.

People think it's cute and funny, but it's not. I see people following after their kids just letting them keep going and walking wherever they want. If you do that and they think it's a game of chase, they are going to keep running! How about grab them, put them back by you or the stroller, tell them no, and don't let them run off again.

Kids can get snatched up everywhere, not just at Disney. Should they all wear leashes all the time? I sure would hope not! Yes, yes Disney is a busy place. But it only takes a few times to teach them from the beginning that THEY WILL NOT RUN OFF! If you get that across to them early, it will stick with them. My kids are no less excited to be there than yours, but they still manage to stick with me. And I go alone to DL with DD6, DD3 and DS 11 months.

Also just my opinion, give your child a chance to listen before you leash them up. You'll be amazed that 1 and 2 year olds can really know what NO means contrary to what people think or say. Mine do so it's proof that it can happen if you make it.

Sorry about the tone, but it just kills me every time I hear about how "spirited" someone's child is that they just can't control them for fear of squashing their spirit. Give me a break, you are the parent, make them stick by you.


Andrea

 

[MATTERHORN]

Double post- deleted!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Double post- deleted!

Forgot to add the standard tag that everyone seems to need. No I do not know you or if your children have some kind of mental/physical problem that requires wearing a leash. My post applies only to healhty children everywhere!!! Thank you!

 

[all4fun]

it just kills me every time I hear about how "spirited" someone's child is that they just can't control them for fear of squashing their spirit.

When did anyone *here* say that? ETA: The part I have in bold

 

[MATTERHORN]

When did anyone *here* say that?

Maybe not that word exactly but it's all the same. Spirited, excitable, adventurous, outgoing, explorer, etc. etc. You hear all those words as reasons why a parent can't possibly contain their child in a stroller or keep a hold of their hand because little Johnny needs to be able to roam free. Most kids that I know are all these things, but they still can manage a theme park without a leash. But for some reason the parents feel they need to roam free at WDW, like a few days of holding hands or sitting in a stroller with tons of stuff to look at is going to kill them.

Like everyone has stated, everyone's entitled to their opinion and this is mine and what I see on all these threads.

So to the OP, stick with your gut and avoid the leash. You know how to parent your own child right and if your heart tells you the leash isn't right for you, then it's not. I just happen to agree with that.

Andrea

 

[Hannathy]

Matterhorn may I say amen! You have said it very well and I agree with you.

I see it way to often anymore parents do not mean what they say and do not follow thru.

 

[melanieewr]

This topic is so very interesting to me as we have been having this discussion for the last couple of weeks.

My husband and I raised 4 very well behaved children without using leashes. And we both have commented to each other how much we dislike them.

Fast forward to now...children are grown with children of their own. We are taking them all to Disney next week...12 of us total. Our issue is our 16 month old granddaughter who started walking around furniture when she was 6 months and walking well at 8 months. She is constantly on the move. I think she will do very well in the stroller most of the time, but I am concerned for her safety when she wants to walk (actually run). Her mother decided to buy the monkey harness. My DH says "you know how we feel about leashes"...but we have to let her make her own decisions concerning her child. I am glad she is taking it...just in case...even though I doubt it will be used.

Also...I would never ever consider making a comment to anyone about their choice to use a leash. I have always kept that to myself.

 

[i3utterfli82]

I bought the puppy backpack leash at WalMart and brought it home to see how my daughter would like it.

She likes it so much now that she won't take it off!! LOL I wasn't expecting this!

I finally put it away and will not take it out again until she actually needs it, that way she will get excited again about wearing it.

 

[chobie]

Hmm, I guess we have to add leashing to the crappy parent list. I only regret that I did not leash my children so that I come here and be told what a crappy parent I am for having done so. No, I just have to wait for another thread about heelies so I can be reminded of what a crappy parent I am.


To the OP: You are a brave soul for coming here and asking a question about a parenting choice. Do what you think is best.

 

[lulu71]

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).

I am late to this thread, but I am chuckling at the idea that your 2 year old acted on his/her best behavior because he/she knew that you wouldn't go to a football game again if he/she misbehaved. Alrightee, whatever you say!

AS to the OP, whatever you feel comfortable with is what you should do. I would personally ignore anyone that gives you rude glances or makes nasty comments. Have a great trip!

 

[surfgirl]

I am late to this thread, but I am chuckling at the idea that your 2 year old acted on his/her best behavior because he/she knew that you wouldn't go to a football game again if he/she misbehaved. Alrightee, whatever you say!

Now, THAT is what is called a personal attack.

Actually, I never said he was on his best behavior. He is a typical 2 yr. old. But he also knows to hold my hand (or a sibling's hand) when we are in public, crossing the road, parking lots, etc. He knows not to run away in public - I'm not playing a game of chase. Would he lose privileges ? Absolutely. Does he understand that ? Absolutely. When he does well, he gets praise and encouragement for doing well.

And guess what? A 2 yr. old is old enough to understand. They understand a lot more than you think. And if they think (or know) they can get away with it, they will.

I'll admit this is off-topic. Please return to your regularly scheduled programming.

 

[va32h]

Hmm, I guess we have to add leashing to the crappy parent list. I only regret that I did not leash my children so that I come here and be told what a crappy parent I am for having done so. No, I just have to wait for another thread about heelies so I can be reminded of what a crappy parent I am.


To the OP: You are a brave soul for coming here and asking a question about a parenting choice. Do what you think is best.

Oh for $%#^#'s sake. Get off your high horse. Please quote me the person who said anyone who uses a leash is a crappy parent.

If anyone dares to have an opinion on a parenting issue it starts "oh I guess you're calling me a bad parent, well that's okay, because I know all about my child and I know what is right for them so you just go ahead and call me a bad parent oh boo hoo."

Come and wave the banner of the poor, victimized person who was called a crappy mother. Oh wait, no one was actually called a crappy mother, but hey don't let silly things like facts get in the way.

Speaking of crap, nobody gives one whether any of you leash or don't leash your children.

We are giving our opinions because they were asked for. If some anonymous person on the DIS doesn't use a leash and you do - so what? If you use a leash and some total stranger at WDW glances at you sideways - so what?

Grow a backbone, people. There will always be others who disagree with what you are doing with your life. Whether that makes you "feel bad" is entirely up to you.

 

[chobie]

Oh for $%#^#'s sake. Get off your high horse. Please quote me the person who said anyone who uses a leash is a crappy parent.

If anyone dares to have an opinion on a parenting issue it starts "oh I guess you're calling me a bad parent, well that's okay, because I know all about my child and I know what is right for them so you just go ahead and call me a bad parent oh boo hoo."

Come and wave the banner of the poor, victimized person who was called a crappy mother. Oh wait, no one was actually called a crappy mother, but hey don't let silly things like facts get in the way.

Speaking of crap, nobody gives one whether any of you leash or don't leash your children.

We are giving our opinions because they were asked for. If some anonymous person on the DIS doesn't use a leash and you do - so what? If you use a leash and some total stranger at WDW glances at you sideways - so what?

Grow a backbone, people. There will always be others who disagree with what you are doing with your life. Whether that makes you "feel bad" is entirely up to you.

Actaully I find it amusing when I'm considered a crappy parent on the Dis because all of things considered to be bad parenting on the Dis are so unbelievabley petty that they reaffirm that I'm doing the right thing because I have found IRL that over-opinionated, ultra-controlling, hyper-authorative, self-righteous parents do not raise well adjusted children. But thats my humble opinion.

Oh and just because someone did not use the phrase "crappy" parent when you assert that your way of doing soemthing is the only right way and/or make a comment to the effect of "be a parent --do it my way!", then the implication is clear. Not that it matters that you think your way is the only right way of course. I think the best parenst are those who do what they feel is best for their kids but leave open the possiblibility that there may be other right ways as well.

 

[chobie]

I am late to this thread, but I am chuckling at the idea that your 2 year old acted on his/her best behavior because he/she knew that you wouldn't go to a football game again if he/she misbehaved. Alrightee, whatever you say!

AS to the OP, whatever you feel comfortable with is what you should do. I would personally ignore anyone that gives you rude glances or makes nasty comments. Have a great trip!

That was my thought too. Besides, I don't consider a 2 year old wandering off to be misbehaivor, I consider that normal behavior. If having them on a leash gives you some piece of mind, then go for it.

 

[traci]

Wow! I cannot believe all of the judgemental posts.

Here's my 2 cents. I have a very active, spirited (insert any "excited" based adjective here) almost 3 year old little boy. He is one of those that wont be contained even if we try. With that said, I still wont leash him. But, I am not knocking anyone who chooses to do so. Good parents will do what is best for their child, and their family in any given circumstance. I think it's sad that people can be so nasty towards others just because they don't agree.

So from one Mom with a very hyper little guy, I wont leash, but I sure don't think that parents out there are terrible for doing so

God Bless~

 

[maxiesmom]

traci--That is quite the little cutie-pie you have there!!!

 

[Mono~rail]

We took our monkey backpack "leashes" but we didn't use them for their intended purpose! One of our DD's hugged and cuddled her's for hours making it impossible to put it on her! We didn't have any problems getting DDs to hold our hands when we let them walk around or stand in lines. I bought them and we took them with us everywhere we went (stored them in the stroller basket), but in the end, we didn't need them after all.

 

[LuvAlphvle]

We have the puppy backback but we've never used it. I bought it for my then 20-month-old to wear on a trip to visit my family, but it was too bulky for the plane. So we used a regular nylon harness instead and it worked great.

For places like airports, theme parks, etc. where there are a lot of people, I think harnesses are a great idea. If you don't agree with them, don't use them. See how easy that is?

DD will be turning 4 on our trip, and I think that's a bit old for harnesses, but I might pack one just in case if I feel it would come in handy. I'll know as we get closer.

 

[maggiesma]

Anyone else notice the ads on this page because of the word leash are all for dog collars..