use a harness for extremely active toddler? What do you think

[fakereadhed]

How often have you seen that at WDW? The "plastered all over the news" part?

OK, so there have been no known Amber alerts in WDW. What about having to search all over for my bolting toddler? Do you have any idea how that will cut into my TGM touring plan???

Seriously, I don't think any mother feels comfortable when her toddler is not in her line of vision when she's supervising them. That is enough for me to use a leash if I choose to.

And I find it humorous that the people that don't use harnesses always say that they can control their children using other methods. Yeah, no kidding. Why would anyone use one if they didn't find a need for it.

 

[katerkat]

OK, so there have been no known Amber alerts in WDW. What about having to search all over for my bolting toddler? Do you have any idea how that will cut into my TGM touring plan???

Seriously, I don't think any mother feels comfortable when her toddler is not in her line of vision when she's supervising them. That is enough for me to use a leash if I choose to.

I know, it would totally cramp our touring style, too. I'm just saying, don't exaggerate for your (the for-leash side) point. Go with the emotion of just losing your child because the over-the-top on-the-news stuff makes people . I know how it feels when the munchkin gets out of sight - Russ likes to run after swim class, usually when I'm naked except for my underwear. (Solution to that one - wrap him in towel securely and change him AFTER I'm dressed!)

And I find it humorous that the people that don't use harnesses always say that they can control their children using other methods. Yeah, no kidding. Why would anyone use one if they didn't find a need for it.

To be fair, the OP asked if anyone had an extremely active toddler and used a leash. My answer is yes, I have an extremely active toddler, but no, I've never used a leash because I've found other ways to control him. (And also, in my first post, I said he tends to wander not bolt.) I'm not against leashes if that's what other people choose to use (unless said leash is too long and gets in *my* way), but I do know what it's like to have an active toddler and come up with alternative methods.

 

[Momof4girls]

I just want to restate that it's rather naive of someone who has a child who DOESN'T run or wander to pass ANY judgement on a parent of a child who DOES and wants to keep them safe.

You can "control" your child until you're blue in the face, but excellent parents still have high needs children - period - and it is NEVER a testament to what type of parent a person is if they have a challenging child - special needs or not!!!!!

One day you may have a child who throws you for a loop. Even the most experienced parent can end up with some suprises along the way! I've been parenting for over a decade and *am raising* six children of various ages. Every month temperments and abilities morph and evolve and change. It would be ignorant of me to think that just because my first two or three kids were "easy" and could be "controlled" (which I would never say) that my younger kids can be trusted to maintain total personal control at freaking DISNEYWORLD. Hello! *I* can hardly control my impulses at Disneyworld - wth! How can you immerse a child who is 2 or 3 or 4 in that type of situation and even begin to think that every child is going to quietly walk by mom's side because that's what expected of them???

 

[MarkBarbieri]

It seems to me that people aren't really being critical of people that use tethers or of people that don't. It does seem that people on each side are reading hostility into statements from people who have made a different decision.

Personally, I couldn't care less whether you use a tether or not. It's your kid. It's your judgment call. There is a negligible chance that any significant harm will come to you or your child either way.

Read what others have posted in the spirit of learning from them, not assessing their parenting skills. Perhaps someone has pointed out good reasons that you hadn't considered for using a tether or for not using a tether.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Oh, and just to be judgmental, anyone that considers me a bad parent for either using or not using a tether is a twit.

 

[katerkat]

How can you immerse a child who is 2 or 3 or 4 in that type of situation and even begin to think that every child is going to quietly walk by mom's side because that's what expected of them???

Because he did? We took him to DL at 18 months old and he was excited and fascinated and everything, but he still held my hand, was carried or stayed in the stroller.

Look, I'm really not saying leashes/harnesses are bad. If I have a second child, maybe I'll need one. But the OP was asking about her ONE high-energy toddler, and I'm responding about my ONE high-energy toddler.

 

[mecllap]

I'm a strong supporter of using harnesses -- why take the chance of some distraction getting you separated from your child for even a tiny amount of time. Things can happen in the blink of an eye. The security is worth much more than any funny looks you might get from people who don't understand fearless, adventurous kids.

 

[ilovepooh]

I said this in a different thread and I'll say it again, if you need the harness to keep your child from running away from you, then use it! I swore I would never use one, but now that I'm a mom I'm thinking about bringing one just in case DS decides to take off.

Better safe than sorry! I have no idea what Disney's going to do to him! It'll be his first trip!

 

[jamimb]

I personally think they are wonderful!! So they look a little weird. Other tahn that they do no harm!! The first time we took our youngest to disney she was 3 we used it everyday and it was a lifesaver!!! She hates a stroller and with the harness I dont have to be freaking out every minute and she loved it because it gave her much more freedom to explore that holding my hand but still kept her safe. Good for the parent and the child if you ask me. Also I can remember actually wearing one when I was little to our state fair and I loved it. It gave more free range of motion I didnt have to saty right beside my mom clutching her hand all the time.

 

[piggy]

I will be going with family and they have a 2yr and will be bring one. You never know when you are going to need one or just use a stroller. it doesn't hurt the child.

 

[Elmo888]

That's really the fault of Disney. I can't tell you how many times I've been at an attraction and they've said to "take small children by the hand." They never ask you to take your small children by the hand.