Using the "leash" on children at WDW????

[disneygirl1977k]

Hello everyone,
Just wondering about using those strap things on children at WDW.....Do they work?? Are they good to use?? I always thought it looked bad to put those on children, however, now that I have my 2 yo DS and he is everywhere all the time and taking him to WDW for the first time, I am wondering if I should get one of these or not??? Thanks everyone.
Kristy

 

[buffett010]

I always hate seeing those kids on a leash! Anyhow, I know the feeling of wanting to keep them with you. Why don't you try one of those remote alarms. I don't remember what they're called, but you keep one part and the other goes onto your child like a pin. When they are more than 50 ft. away, and alarm sounds so you can find them. I've seen them sold at Babie R Us, One Step Ahead, Wal-Mart, etc.

 

[Zoesmama03]

Humm I was wondering that too. My dd runs off and isn't scared at all. I will worry sooo much about her. She rides in strollers well though so I don't know how much she will be out of the stroller anyway.

I think $30 is a lot to spend though. Or $40 if not from Walmart. I think most people chose the harness leashes because they are cheaper and more affordable. One thing I worry about is my dd pushing the button repeatedly.

I'm thinking about a leash myself. But she will be kept mostly in stroller. I may look into the angel alert but I really think she'd be pushing the button all the time.

 

[cbrfan]

I'm definately considering a leash for my 15 month old DGS. He positively HATES to hold hands and runs like a rabbit. I don't run as fast as I used to. His safety means more to me than disapproving looks from people I don't even know.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I'm definately considering a leash for my 15 month old DGS. He positively HATES to hold hands and runs like a rabbit. I don't run as fast as I used to. His safety means more to me than disapproving looks from people I don't even know.

I would have to agree with you. I used to think that the leash thing was inhumane, until I had a child! My son is 18 months old and too "runs like a rabbit", and loves to take off from us. He turns back at us and laughs as he runs yet further and further away. I got the safety first harness at Babies R Us for about $15. I really don't care what others think of me, like you said his safety is top priority.

 

[Costumesaremylife]

Just want to put my 2 cents in here. I have been tripped by a few leashed children at WDW. I'm pretty tall and I don't spend my day looking down at my feet. Of the four or so times it's happened once it was bad. I went flying down and the child got jerked back and fell down. Luckily no one got really hurt. I am sure leashes are wonderful for parents, but please don't let your child stretch them to the limit, because they turn into obstacle courses.

Not intended to deter or be mean, just wanted people to know.

 

[pamlet]

As a former wearer of a leash... and a user of a leash..

I say do it!!

My one suggestion is to get one of the "harnesses" - the "leash" is a little shorter I think. Also it's not stretchy - and will help prevent accidents as above. The other thing is my son was ALWAYS able to escape the ones that went on the wrist. It took MUCH more effort to get out of the harness.. We started with the stretchy wrist - but were having problems with the escape artist... my mom found the harness she used on ME.. so that's what we did... It zipped up the back..

I know the frustration of a "runner" ... my oldest DS (now 21..) NEVER ran off - he was an easy child. Not so with DS2 - he would disappear in a New York Minute!

I only heard a couple negative comments - but heard LOTS more positive comments - I also go out of my way to give parents positives laugh.. I guess because it always validated that I was doing the right thing when I heard them.

 

[tessqt]

I used a harness on my 3 1/2 year old, he was/is little and I could only find a pink one, but I didn't care!!! Harnesses are shorter if I remember correctly so if anyone trips then they are too far into YOUR space! LOL

The negative commentors would be the first to jump on you if you lost your child or your child got injured. So just ignore and enjoy yourselves!

 

[all4fun]

Hi,
We just got back for our latest trip to WDW a week ago with my 2-year old ds (just turned 2 on the 21st). I have been working with him on hand-holding for quite a while now and he just doesn't want to do it. Most of the time he will pull his hand away and then run from us (he loves being chased - just giggles and laughs). I had bought a harness at Target quite a while ago, but he didn't want to have anything to do with it and it turned out we didn't need it much really since he was quite content to stay in the stroller or be held by us. A month or so ago he started getting really independant and not wanting to sit in his stroller as much so I decided to try the harness out again. He loved it! It was great for us because he could have the feeling of walking/running freely yet know that we were right there with him. It really kept him in check and he was so much happier with it on. I was really amazed at how well it worked. We used it in the parks and at the airport while waiting for our plane (unless it was too crowded of course). I thought it was lovely that he could exercise his little legs and had the comfort of knowing he couldn't get more than a few feet from me. Also, since, he's a toddler he still tends to fall a bit & we were able to prevent him from hurting himself a few times. We also received quite a few positive remarks from people and even saw a few other children with harnesses on. So I say go for it. Ultimately you are responsible for your child and what happens to them and you know what is right or wrong for you children as well. So don't worry about what other people think.

Oh and as far as the leash length issue - ours is about five feet long so I shortened it by a couple of feet by looping it and tying it in a knot so ds couldn't get more than 2 feet or so from me. This also prevented him from tripping on it if we let go of it (which we did at the character greets because we knew he would go straight to the characters).

hth, and have a wonderful trip.

Cheryl

 

[disnutt]

I thought they were awful until my 3rd kid a boy came along. We've bought one for our trip next month. However, to prevent tripping anyone we bought one someone showed on these boards it is from England and made by Clippasafe.

Instead of a regular leash it looks like a leash for a service dog. There is a short loop that latches to the harness on the back of your child. It means they can't get much farther from you than if you were holding their hand.

We found it on e-bay. It's great! I HIGHLY recommend it.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I am absolutely from the school of thought that safety comes first, not what anyone thinks. I am so glad that some remarks were made concerning the length of the cord and tripping over it. I saw a little girl ,not much more than a year old ,take a really bad fall when someone tripped over her cord. The child was not really walking good yet and should not have been walking in the crowded area. I am all for using what is needed to keep you little one safe but remember to be safe with the harness; keep the lease short, stay alert and if the area is very crowed, pick your child up or put them in the stroller. Also rembember to pratice with your child before putting in on them for the first time at WDW.

Happy-Safe trips!!!

Jordan's mom

 

[Mom to Will and Finn]

We bought one at Walmart ($5.xx) and use it when we go hiking. We'll also use it when we go to Disney World. Ds loves to wear it (it has Elmo on it) and the leash part is not very long at all. I don't see how anyone could trip over it. We wouldn't let him get that far away, anyway.

I can understand people not liking to see them, I guess. That doesn't sway me in my decision, though.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I used to think it was horrible too, but I bought one for my active son when he was 1.5 - 2.5. I got it from One Step Ahead for $12.99 - they still have it too. Actually, I just sold it on ebay for almost $16! It worked great, the "leash" part is not long at all. Kept him as close as hand holding would have. It didn't stretch either and was very comfortable. He is now 5 but when he saw me package it up for my ebay buyer he had to wear it for a while (he loved it).

I found that one much better than those wrist ones with the long stretchy coil which could probably cause an injury if pulled to the max.

Just my $.02 - good luck!

 

[chop456]

We have the harness and wrist straps. They are both great. I agree, it does not matter what others think, as long as my kids are safe. We taught our kids they need to wear this so WE do not get lost from them.

 

[MandM-Mom]

We went on a cruise when my dd 4 was 2 years old. We were going to port in Mexico and I knew she would want to walk a bit, but I knew how dangerous that would be there so we picked up the Elmo one at walmart, turns from harness to wrist, its not the bungy kind those can be dangerous! We know from experience!!! They run they stretch then they stop and it pulls them right back! Anyways we loved using the wrist band and DD actually enjoyed being able to walk without holding hands, she thought she had freedom. It was great for the airport because we loaded the stroller with our odds and ends and she walked on her "bracelet". We would just ask her if she wanted to wear her red bracelet and she was ready!

Anyone that says they would never put one of those on their kids, must not have a wanderer like the rest of us!!

 

[rt2dz]

I HATE those leash things. I think they are absolutely awful; treating a child like an animal. Yuck! That being said, heck yeah I use one from time to time!

It is simply a matter of keeping my child safe. At 14 months he has little tolerance for the stroller, will only be held for oh-so-long, throws himself down on the ground in full temper tantrum mode rather than holding hands (except for big brothers), and he needs to be kept safe. In a crowd he could be long gone before an alarm sounds or I could reach him; those are best for older children. I *can't* care what others think--I don't even disagree with them--I have to care about the safety and well being of my child, my high maintenance, high spirited child. And if that is the only way I can do it, then so be it. Although I do use it as a last resort for the shortest time possible.

Ours is a harness type with a VERY short leash. I got it at Walmart for just over $5.

 

[Meezers]

While I don't have children.....

I would like all adults to walk around for hours with your arm above your head and take steps 6 feet long! This is what it must feel like for a child trying to hold hands with an adult!

A leash is safe and probably more comfortable than hand holding....and goodness knows trying to keep an active child in a stroller all day would be a little frustrating!

 

[Aidensmom]

We have a harness for DS3, but have never yet used it. He is still usually content to stay in a stroller, and really only gets out if there is something he wants to look at for a minute. Then he asks if he can get out, tells me what he wants to look at, goes and looks at it, and gets back in the stroller. I have a feeling that one day in the near future though we will probably start using the harness as he is getting to the stage where he thinks certain things are only for babies, and I am sure the stroller will become one of those things. He is pretty impulsive and easily distracted, so I definately would not want him walking around "unattached" to me.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I used a harness when my daughter was young and she actually was happier than without it because she hated (and still does) being held by the hand. I wouldn't care less what anyone else thinks about it.

 

[lbgraves]

I wasn't a fan of them either until I had two kids 21 months apart in the airport with a double stroller & two car seats to deal with. That leash saved my sanity & let DS enjoy his "freedom" at 2 1/2 years while I was able to keep an eye on my 11 mo old DD. I worried about negative comments but all that I heard was positive ones. Many mothers both young & old said that they were a wonder tool to help with the kids. DS learned his limits & loved to go for walks around the hotel when we first got his harness. LOL! I felt a little silly walking up & down the halls & around the lobby with it but at least he liked it.