Using kiddie leashes at WDW

[DizzDoll]

I too say do what makes you comfortable. When I see a little cutie zooming around attached to a lead, then I know mamma's close at hand. For safety's sake as well as peace of mind, go for it.

 

[Tikicampers]

You make excellent points, and I agree with you 100%. A leash shouldn't be needed, and I never had one growing up. Generations went by without needing these relatively recent inventions. People simply need to keep their kids in line, period - and they don't need a leash to do it.

Generations also went by without seatbelts, car seats, bike helmets, etc. Times change, and we must adapt to them. Malls are a relatively new thing too(actually, I know they had the "leashes" in the 70s so I'd guess they were invented around the same time malls were going up). It's not too hard to keep up with your kid in a general store or a butcher's shop, but when you get into a mall or large grocery store, they can disappear.

Personally, I don't like these things, but I will not judge a parent for using them. If I had a child that bolted or was prone to wandering, I would probably change my mind about using them.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Oh, how I wish they had been invented when our first was little! It would have made traveling with him so much easier. He was born a human dynamo, with a little bit of Spiderman thrown in! Up, down, and all around; we never knew where to look! Totally exhausting. A leash would have been perfect!

I am happy to report that WE survived!

 

[AJKMOM]

You make excellent points, and I agree with you 100%. A leash shouldn't be needed, and I never had one growing up. Generations went by without needing these relatively recent inventions. People simply need to keep their kids in line, period - and they don't need a leash to do it.

But I do not think they are "inhumane" as a poster commented about earlier in the thread. Some people make it like it's child abuse to have a harness, which is completely ridiculous. If some parents want to use this type of thing to keep their kid(s) from running away, that's fine with me, although I wouldn't do the same.

In a perfect world, each kid would hold a hand or sit in a stroller. However, more and more children are being diagnosed with autism, Aspbergers (sp) syndrome, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, etc. It's not so easy for parents to "to keep their kids in line, period". The device might be the only way a family could enjoy a vacation. No one can say "Just don't go then", because we parents of "special needs" kids need vacations as much as anyone. Sometimes, more.

 

[loribell]

Well, I used a one of the wrist harnesses on my then 7 yo on our first trip to Disney.

Was he way to old for it? Absolutely.

Why did I do it? Because it was our third or fourth day in a park and every day previously he kept wandering away from us. Believe me people that is a very scary feeling. He wasn't meaing to do anyting wrong but it is the nature of the place, kids see something they like and automatically head in that direction, without thinking. As we were walking in to Epcot that morning I told him if he wandered away from us once I was going to get a leash (they sold them in the gift shops at that time). I no more got it out of my mouth, turned and said something to my sister and turned back around and there he was wandering off already. I immediately walked in to the gift shop, bought one & put it on him. I took all of 15 minutes to break him from wandering off. Once I took it off him he stayed right with us.

As for anyone saying anything to me about it, they would not like the response they got back. It is absolutely no ones business and they darn sure not stick their nose in to mine.

Oh, and I never had one when I was little either and I turned out fine too. But I was not a child that naturally wandered. I have 4 children total, only 1 of them was a wanderer. So I guess I was a bad parent on 1 but not on the other 3? I don't think so.

I wonder how many people that make those comments do so only becasue they think you & your children are getting in their way. It wouldn't matter if you had the leash or not, you would still be in their way.

 

[DebIreland]

Why on earth is this a hot topic? Makes no sense to me. We call them safety straps here or safety harnasses and I love them! I used them for my boys when they were toddlers (I recall carrying my second DS in a baby sling while I had the wrist strap for my then 2.5 year old). Last October in WDW I used one for my 2 year old. It was wonderful. Just don't allow too much slack on it or as a previous poster said someone could walk into the strap between you and your child. Only once did I get a strange look from someone and I just said "oh I have no sense of direction so I'm attaching myself to my clever child who knows the way".

I think it's a wonderful idea and I have no idea where the objectors are coming from. Perhaps harnasses aren't popular on their home planets cause of a lack of gravity.

 

[KPeveler]

In a perfect world, each kid would hold a hand or sit in a stroller. However, more and more children are being diagnosed with autism, Aspbergers (sp) syndrome, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, etc. It's not so easy for parents to "to keep their kids in line, period". The device might be the only way a family could enjoy a vacation. No one can say "Just don't go then", because we parents of "special needs" kids need vacations as much as anyone. Sometimes, more.

sometimes kids just have pain-in-butt-itis, or way too much energy. but i completely see your point. i do not think that are hurting children, and i chalk it up to parenting differences. the same debate can be made about grounding kids, spanking, allowing your kids to eat sugar/fried foods, etc. i think if this saves a child from wandering off and being hurt (or causing mom a heart attack), then go for it!

 

[Jrabbit910]

op: I dont think its a bad idea to bring it w/ you. If you feel that during your trip you need to put it on them; then by all means do... Your the parent and know whats best for your child.
I received the chest type harness one from Saftey First as a gift. My husband told me to throw it away and I thought why!?!? I might need it one day when we are in WDW... so I too will bring it and if I feel like I need to use it I will.. My first option will be the stroller and for moments that I know we can hold him (ie: during shows and such) but if my little squirt feels like moving around and I cant keep up w/ him or feel like its too crowded, hes going on it! Remember your not being mean, its your child- your business.

 

[civileng68]

When it comes to protecting your child, opinions of others are really irrelevant.

It's your child and your life. Your child matters more to you and than anyone else out there who thinks it's NOT humane (for some odd reason "humane" isn't exactly a word that factors in here in my opinion).

If you feel that using one of those is a way to keep your child safe in a world where predators are known (yes it's true) to go to places like WDW to prey, then by ALL means, YOU SHOULD go for it.

Just remember, it wasn't but a month or two ago that a young child was attacked on WDW property by a sexual predator.

 

[snortymom]

You make excellent points, and I agree with you 100%. A leash shouldn't be needed, and I never had one growing up. Generations went by without needing these relatively recent inventions. People simply need to keep their kids in line, period - and they don't need a leash to do it.

My mother used a harness for my brother (now 50) - any time we went to a big place (park or beach). She didn't use it with her other three children. My brother was a dart 'n' dash kind of kid, so it gave her peace of mind.

I have used a wrist attachment for my son in the past. Holding his hand all the time, both our hands got sweaty - this eliminated the sweat factor. He didn't go far, but he wasn't a wanderer.

NOW, my son is 12 - - and after parades/shows/fireworks at Disney, I still insist he hold my hand (in fact, I hold his hand, and my DH's hand, too) . . . that way we all stay together. It's too easy to get lost in the crowd!

 

[The Mick]

In a perfect world, each kid would hold a hand or sit in a stroller. However, more and more children are being diagnosed with autism, Aspbergers (sp) syndrome, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, etc. It's not so easy for parents to "to keep their kids in line, period". The device might be the only way a family could enjoy a vacation. No one can say "Just don't go then", because we parents of "special needs" kids need vacations as much as anyone. Sometimes, more.

I don't disagree. Again, just because I personally wouldn't use one, doesn't mean I look down on anyone who does. It's not "inhumane" and it's a perfectly reasonable tool to use if a parent needs it.

 

[Nwfdrool]

I used to be one of those people who would give a snarky look whenever I saw a child "on a leash." I, of course, didn't have children at the time. It wasn't until I started teaching preschool special education and we would take field trips to the zoo or the farm, that I changed my mind about using them. I hated going on field trips because one of my greatest fears was losing one of my students in a crowded place. Those things gave me such peace of mind, especially with students that were considered "runners." Nothing makes your heart beat faster or your body go in panic mode when you turn around for a split second and the child that you thought was standing right next to you is nowhere in sight I now have two small children of my own and just recently bought a teddy backpack harness for my 17 month old. He is a bit of a momma's boy and likes to be close to mommy anyway--aren't most little boys? Haven't tried it on him yet, but we are going to an amusement park this weekend so I will use it then. I used it with my 3.5 yr old at the Baltimore Aquarium just recently. She kept wanting to wear it. I was a little bit embarrassed because I thought she was too old for it and got a few "looks." But, she is one of those kids that will just go off quickly when she sees something exciting. The only thing I didn't like was that when she would try to run off, she would pull the leash and end up jerking me Or, the leash would get in front of people trying to walk by.

 

[Bill From PA]

I never understood the objections to a kid's harness leash. The mom or dad doesn't have to carry the child or wheel a stroller around and the tyke gets a sense of freedom. These things have been around a long time, I was 'harnessed' in the early 1950's, with virtually no lasting mental scars.

Bill From PA

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

In my experiences with kiddie leashes, the wrist ones are a joke because it took all of 2 seconds for them to figure out how to get it off and take off running. We occasionally used a leash that attached to a little fanny pack. The girls thought the pack was great for stashing their "stuff" and we could quickly and easily hook up the leash when we needed to. The rule was that they still had to hold an adult's hand while on the leash. The leash was only as a backup in case they let go and tried to run off. The major thing I didn't like about the leashes is that when they did try to run off in another direction, the leash usually caused them to fall. Just an aside and funny story: my nephew who is 4 still uses his leash - only now he usually barks and pants like a dog whenever his is hooked up.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

Like I've said before...parents can't seem to win. Either we are letting our children run wild or we are abusing them...

You do what YOU think is best for you and your children and don't worry about anyone else!

 

[steelfish535]

I personally never wanted to use a "leash", until my 2 year old figured out how to get himself out of his stroller. The first time he jumped out of the stroller and into the street, we put a harness on him. This way he can't jump out and take off. I'll bring it to Disney with me.
The ONLY problem I have with these is when people use them as an actual care giver. They figure if they have them attached, then they don't have to watch what they're doing. Then you end up getting in people's way and cutting off people walking, or the child is misbehaving and no one is paying attention. I also hate when the child doesn't want to go in your direction, or walk at all anymore, and people pull on the harness to move them again. That's the inhumane part.
Ignore people's looks. You're doing what is best to keep your child with you at all times. In this day and age, you HAVE to take precautions.

 

[DisneyBee]

Another reason I used one was related to something an earlier poster mentioned. It's reasonable to expect a small toddler to hold your hand crossing the street, during a quick run to the store, etc., but can you imagine if you, yourself, had to walk around for hours of end with your arm up in the air? Just think of the little one who has to actually raise his/her arm up to reach your hand. Yes, a parent is holding the hand of that arm up in the air, but it would still get mighty tired after several hours. It's also a matter of comfort, as well as safety, for the child.

 

[northie]

We used the wrist leashes on kids #2, #3, and #4. Don't know if they existed for kid #1 (who is now 32 so you can figure out I am now a grandma!) Kid 2 was fearless and a wanderer, and even my tender age at the time I couldn't catch him when he took off...the kid ran like lightning! We started using one at the State Fair, and I didn't care if we got dirty looks or not: I knew where he was! We used them on every trip anywhere crowded after that. The peace of mind was worth the dirty looks.

Sara

 

[danj]

Personally I don't care if people give me a nasty look or not, my 2 1/2 DD is a little independent and doesn't like to be strapped in a stroller she perfers to walk and we bought here a backpack leash for our upcoming wdw trip and when I gave it to her she loved it and I prefer it to losing her .

 

[CyndiL]

I've used the "leash" with my oldest when he was a toddler and my youngest who is almost 3. My middle child never needed it, he is a stick to you like glue kind of kid. When we go to Disney in Nov. I plan on packing our harness for my daughter. Hopefully the crowd level will be low enough I won't need it, but I want it along just in case. A child can disappear in a heartbeat, and it is an awful experience for both the child and the parent. Just think of all the things there are to look at in Disney, a moments distraction by either the parent or child is all it would take for them to be lost. Look at how many adults get seperated at Disney why would it be any less so for a small child.

As far as types, I used a wrist one for my oldest son. The rule was if your not in the stroller and you want to walk then you must have the braclet on. My dd prefers the harness that looks like a backpack. I find that the backpack harness is my favorite of the two.

If I was going to Disney with two three year olds you can bet your booty I would be taking along some kind of harness. Just think how much it will spare your nerves.