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

[Stitch Inside]

DW didn't like it when I suggested a shock collar. I just don't see our 20 month old putting up with the wrist leash, but we got it. Hopefully, he'll mostly stay in the stroller. We didn't have any trouble at the zoo a couple of weeks ago. But when he gets free, look out, he's like the previous poster's child who just giggles and runs away. Thinks it's a game. At least there will be 5 of us (my parents, DW, DS (6) and me) to help corral him.

 

[va32h]

At my son's baseball game today, there was a mom with her young son (maybe 2 years old) on a leash. She was chatting away with some other parents, with her back to her little boy, who was cheerfully picking stuff out of the trash and eating it.

My only problem with leashes are with parents who think that since their child can't run away, they don't need to be supervised. (definitely not accusing anyone here - just thinking about other situations I've seen!)

 

[kasia]

With a 1 & a 2 year old (who hates the buggy & likes to take off) I find my harness a necessity! That said there doesn't seem to be the stigma towards harnesses here in the UK - will people really make critical comments towards me for using one?

I have a little rucksack for ds with a short 'lead' attached to it's back, & he loves it (daddy has a rucksack too) so trying to make him take it off can be difficult.....

 

[ksoehrlein]

I didn't like them either -- until I started planning a Mommy-and-us trip while DH was in Boston on a business trip. Yikes! Safety was of course my main concern, but just the thought of being in a long line with a semi-patient 4-yo DD and a runaway 16-mo DS scared me into the purchase. I pictured us waiting 25 minutes only to have DS dash out of line as we approached the boarding area for a ride. DD was too young to hold the fort in line while I dashed after DS, and I was the only adult present, so our options were get a leash, don't go on any rides, or wait in line and risk losing all that wait time whenever DS chose to break away. Guess which I chose?

I bought a harness made by TommyGuard. They were selling some close-outs on eBay, so I ended up getting a twin model for less than the price of a single child model. That was fortunate, because DD was feeling left out until I harnessed her, too! The harness goes over the child's chest and is covered with a small, short "vest" to prevent the webbed strap from irritating. The parent has the option to either hold the leash with a wrist strap or to wear the belt provided in the kit (my preference) with an adjustable lead connecting the two. Trust me, it was more like DS had ME on a leash, so any "dog" concerns I'd had in the past flew out the window!

Funniest comment we received at WDW wasn't actually verbal. A sweet woman in her mid- to late-60s who appeared to be from India (couldn't tell what language she spoke, but that's my best guess) smiled and asked us with gestures if she could take DS's picture while we waited in line -- using the harness -- for AstroOrbiter. I was flattered because (of course) my children are gorgeous, but then again, I have no idea WHAT she's telling the folks back home about that crazy American family in her photo album!

 

[crazywig]

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.

we have the elmo one as well. it has a swivel hook on the back that you can detach the leash from, which is great when you want them to run around, like at the playground in toontown.

my ds just turned 3 and we've been using it for a year at the parks ( 2 trips in that time). we leave next month and i'm definately taking it, like a previous poster said, it is great in the airport while trying to shlep 2 kids (ds and my 7m old dd) the bags, the carseats, the stroller he's not keen on sitting it, etc.

 

[crisi]

We used a harness when the kids were 2 1/2 and 3 1/2. The "leash" part was maybe three feet long - someone would have to be cutting close between me and my kid to trip over it. I have one "darter" and one "dwaddler" and I really couldn't take them in public at a young age without restraints, since my "darter" would be halfway through Fantasyland while my "dwaddler" would be standing by the Haunted Mansion asking me if that's where the ghosts lived and if it was scary and are they real and she was scared and.....

The are now five and six....haven't changed in temperment, but have been able to internalize "keep close to Mom in crowds."

 

[pjshaff]

We used the leash on our then 22mo while we were at WDW. It worked out great. We kept it on him at all times, even while in our stroller, and when we got to an attraction, he just hopped out and we had our hand on the leash. At times though, when he pulled on it, I did worry that it would break, but nary a stitch came undone.

 

[Daxx]

Daxx's wife here. I always get entwined in those leashes! It never happens to Daxx or DS ... but to me. Inevitably, some little one is venturing around and entangles me. It's always those stretchy, bungy type leashes, too. It has become a running joke on how many times I get trapped in a leash at WDW. I swear, any kid w/a leash manages to seek me out.

I am sure the leashes are invaluable to many parents ... but please be consciencious about your kids when they're on a leash. Many parents let their kids go where they can b/c they're magically attached to the leash. Little do the parents know their kids are entangling people up. This usually happens in the shops and the crowds ... junior wanders to the side of the parents and there's this big band of leash ready to ensnare people.

All I'm asking is for people using leashes to be careful.

 

[all4fun]

Daxx's wife here. I always get entwined in those leashes! It never happens to Daxx or DS ... but to me. Inevitably, some little one is venturing around and entangles me. It's always those stretchy, bungy type leashes, too......
All I'm asking is for people using leashes to be careful.

Maybe you're the one that needs to be more careful? (just kidding)

Actually I think everyone that has posted so far agrees with you. Those stretchy kind are dangerous. I have only seen one child in all my trips to WDW on one and yes, they were walking about 15 feet behind the parent. I thought it was appalling and dangerous, so I totally agree with you.

 

[GEM]

We have a harness for our little guy and we all love it! It's the kind that has a little vest like thing that goes around his waist and shoulders. We tried one of the wrist ones, but neither of us liked that at all. Also, ours is made of nylon (more like a regular leash) instead of the stretchy phone cord type stuff.

For us, it has been so great because Paul was a micropreemie (1lb and 7oz, 11 inches long) and he is still very, very tiny. He's turning 2 next week and he is still only about 29 inches tall. He loves to walk and doesn't want to spend all day in his stroller, even though he does ride quite a bit. Because he is so small, it is very physically uncomfortable for him (and for us) to walk around holding his hand because we end up all stopped over and his poor little arm ends up stretched straight up over his head. And, of course, at not even quite two years old he can't be trusted to just walk along with us. So, the harness has really been wonderful! It gives him the freedom he wants and needs while keeping him safe and comfortable. I will also say that we always roll the excess of the lead part up around our hand and only give him very litle slack, so he can't wander off too far and risk tripping anybody, etc. Also, we never use it in crowded areas. If there are tons of people we either carry him or put him in the stroller.

We used on our WDW trip in December and have used on countless trips to the zoo, fair, mall, etc. So far we haven't had any rude comments. We will be using it again on our next trip to Orlando in June. Let me just say that if anybody is obnoxious enough to make any comments to me or my family, they are going to end up mighty embarassed by the time I'm through with them.

 

[pamlet]

I think it's wonderful that they're making a variety of harnesses now.

Our youngest son is now 16 - back then all I could find was the stretchy bungee cord. That's why my mom found my old harness and sent it to me - the bungee ones just did NOT work for us.. and it was scary that he could get too far away (not to mention that he quickly figured out how to get out of it.. )

 

[mrsgus06]

I also have the "Elmo" leash. It does not stretch at all and the leash is somewhat short. To trip over it, the other person is definately in my space. I don't think they are wrong or cruel. I am usually in the parks by myself with 5 kids. I keep youngest in the harness for my comfort and her safety. The other 4 are great at orbiting around me, but the youngest is still learning how to orbit. Don't worry about what every one else thinks, at the end of the day your child is not traumatized because you allowed him/her a little independence or freedom.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My twins were masters at wriggling out of their stroller and running in different directions. I used harnesses with leashes when necessary with no apologies to anyone. Occasionally I'd get some dirty looks but also some thumbs ups. You do what you have to do to keep your kids safe.

 

[RF536]

We started off with harness for our older son, but after awhile he started fighting us putting the harness on him. So we bought a small fanny pack at Walmart for about $1,and hooked the leash from the harness on the belt part of the fanny pack. Even though, we no longer need the leash, he still wants to wear the fanny pack so he can carry his own stuff.

 

[misandrog]

I bought the safety first harness at babies r us for my dd (2) because she doesn't like the stroller and hates holding our hands and she tends to run really fast...I bought it for WDW. We tried it out this weekend with her and she wanted nothing to do with it at first until we told her she didn't have to hold our hand now. She loved it and it gave her a sense of freedom, but saved our sanity by not chasing her or losing her. I loved it and got one for ds (4 1/2). He thought it was fun to wear. So I would strongly recommend it. I did get some stares, but of course it was from people who didn't have children...I was one of those people too until I had children of my own. It certainly is better than losing them.

 

[misandrog]

anyone know how to get your ticker from ticker factory on the end of a reply?

 

[MrsPete]

I had one for my daughters, and it was a Godsend. They were both the type who thought it was funny to run away and make mommy chase them.

For those who think it's cruel, think again. The child will have no memory of using a safety harnass; on the other hand, he might have quite vivid memories if he were to be lost or abducted!

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

originaly i thought that it was like being in jail (i had an orange one....i HATED wearing orange) but when i look back on how many times i probably would have been picked up by some pysco i relize that its more of a safty issue rather than opinion. The people who tell you that the leash is wrong are the first to tell you that you should take better care of your kid. They reallly need to make up their minds. some have long strands so for the tall people, daydreamers and the people who just dont pay attention buy a shorter one. GO FOR IT

 

[pumba]

saw more and more people using them and I told one poor lady with twins that she was an a okey mom for doing it too. She said she had a few objections from some total strangers .. but that for the most part people were in exceptance of them. I told her that one kid was lost in Typhoon lagoon that day and I am sure that some one was quite upset about NOT using the harness on him. That had a happy ending and to do what your heart and your brain tells you to do.......The heck with what TOTAL strangers say

 

[Meezers]

Do they make these in adult sizes? I need one for my Mom! Now I am the one constantly making sure she is still with us and we haven't been split up by crowds!

Don't want to lose my Mommy in the crowd again (she is 64 and I am 42)!