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

[crisi]

There are a lot of judgements I used to make before I became a parent. Then I learned that some kids listen better than others, some kids run, some kids daydream. Some kids are just plain ole stubborn and others will bend and compromise with ease. Some throw tantrums even though they NEVER get what they want when they throw one. Some are naturally tidy, and others would need to have a personal stylist accompany them to keep their hair in order. Some are great eaters, others think the four food groups are chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, cereal and juice. Some nap, others don't. Some potty train at 2, and some don't until 4. And while you certainly get to influence how your kids turn out, anyone who takes complete credit (or complete blame) for the way they turn out is fooling themselves - and the vast majority of them turn out well enough.

I still sometimes catch myself making judgements ("look at that ill behaved child!") but TRY to remember that maybe the child was well behaved five minutes ago and will be well behaved five minutes from now and that my kids, caught at the wrong moment, can look like little terrors.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I didn't take time to read each post, but I also hated the leash untill I had children. Even more than keeping your child from running away, I feel a child abducter won't bother with a child attached to family vs. a quick getaway with a child on it's own. You can't be too careful!!!

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

i really think all people think the leash is inhumane until you have a kid of your own. People who say that stuff probably never had any kids or had the 'perfect' ones. People dont notice how quickly a chlid can escape from your hands or in front of you in a crowd or how easy it is to prevent that by using a harness leash.

 

[southjerseymom]

I spent about $12.00 on a leash from the Baby Center. I researched them and thought that this was the best option. My DD is a head strong sweetie -she is the kid you see throwing the tantrum. I felt better walking with her with the leash - and it allowed me to get a good hold on her when we were riding the busses. We went in November and it was cool enough that I don't think it bothered her. But they look like they could be hot. You will get some looks! I tried mine out at a crab festival in October and you would have thought I had her in a straight jacket. But I know my kid - and this was a good option for us. We leave for the BC in two weeks. DD is just that much older that she dosen't need it - but I am glad I had peace of mind when she did.

 

[skiwee1]

A great invention! I wish I had it for when my two oldest ones were younger.

 

[Gillian]

I just tested out one on my 23 month old, but not at Disney. She seemed to like it. It was easier than trying to hold her hand, and safer too!

In a crowd you do need to keep it pretty short, though.

I have the kid keeper from One Step Ahead. She didn't mind it. I liked that it adjusts out long - for when there is room for her to explore without getting tangled in other people.

Probably someone else has mentioned this already, but this one has a non-stretch, adjustable strap. It never is down near the ground where someone could trip over it, but I could see someone running into the strap. It's bright blue & pretty easy to see.

 

[wright1baby]

I respect everyones choice to use the leash, I just chose not to use that option. I have 3 children, th oldest is bi-polar and likes to wander quite a bit. Luckily we live in a small town and an even smaller neighborhood (about 25 houses and nothing but pasture). At one point I had 3 children under 5 and my DH works nights so anytime we had to do anything I was pretty much by myself. I usually had at least a single stroller, but I have learned that I HAVE to be consistent and if 1 child wanders or runs then we need to leave. I would usually do test runs at the mall when we didn't HAVE to be somewhere so that they would get in the habit of staying together. I have found that if you enforce rules that have an ecpected result if they are broken, they will learn. For most of you planning your trips it's probably too late, it takes several months and small trips of reinforcing a behaivor.
Again...don't flame me. I am not saying the leash in inhumane or anything of the sort, just like anything else it is a choice and we as parents we have to do whatever it takes to make sure our children our SAFE! I applaud you for taking actions to do so!
wanted to add...I am not a parenting expert and I am not saying this will work for everyone. Just what has worked for me in my experience.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

wright1baby, it's great that that system has worked so far for you.

It only takes an instant, however, for an accident to happen - whether you've practiced or not. Many, including myself, aren't willing to take that chance.

I have found that if you enforce rules that have an ecpected result if they are broken, they will learn. For most of you planning your trips it's probably too late, it takes several months and small trips of reinforcing a behaivor.

You ask not to be flamed but you're making big assumptions that others have not tried what you've done - like enforcing rules and reinforcing good behavior.

Having worked in Children's Hospital ER for several years, I've seen firsthand the results of unintentional, instantaneous accidents. I am still haunted by the image of the little boy who dashed into the street while his mother was getting the baby out of the car. His sweet little body was mangled unimaginably. I can still hear the screams of his parents when they learned he had died.

So if it takes a leash to keep our kids safe, than so be it. But please don't say that if you practice and reinforce good behavior that that's all it takes. Accidents happen all the time.

 

[skiwee1]

wright1baby, it's great that that system has worked so far for you.

It only takes an instant, however, for an accident to happen - whether you've practiced or not. Many, including myself, aren't willing to take that chance.


You ask not to be flamed but you're making big assumptions that others have not tried what you've done - like enforcing rules and reinforcing good behavior.

Having worked in Children's Hospital ER for several years, I've seen firsthand the results of unintentional, instantaneous accidents. I am still haunted by the image of the little boy who dashed into the street while his mother was getting the baby out of the car. His sweet little body was mangled unimaginably. I can still hear the screams of his parents when they learned he had died.

So if it takes a leash to keep our kids safe, than so be it. But please don't say that if you practice and reinforce good behavior that that's all it takes. Accidents happen all the time.

I agree with you. My kids were great at the malls! They held my hand or walked next to me without a problem. For some reason, lol, WDW was much more interesting then any mall! Go figure! Between the throngs of crowds, the excitement of seeing everything, and the nervousness of the newness, it was much different then our mall experiences! I'll take the leash any day then to go through that again. My kids are more important to me then what people think.

 

[greenyskp]

Hi, not a mother, but a sister of a child who's mother used the leash.

I think its a good idea if you realize that putting your child on his/her own feet means that those feet are going to get tired faster than your own.

So plan on holding them a lot, and them being 'pooped' by 12. I guess you could always rent a stroller from that point... But as crowded as WDW can get, I would use a stroller.

I know parents want to give kids their freedom or whatever, but I really dont think Disney is the place to begin that freedom. Kids are inquisitive and even on a leash will get in to trouble. I found it being a constant chore, having to keep up with the leash.

So, if you love that feeling that is when your dog suddenly decides to charge through a crowd, You have arms capable of holding 10-30 pounds for hours on end, and you want your day to end up being cut short, use the leash!

hehe, just my opinion....

 

[NCDisneyMom]

Hi, not a mother, but a sister of a child who's mother used the leash.

I think its a good idea if you realize that putting your child on his/her own feet means that those feet are going to get tired faster than your own.

So plan on holding them a lot, and them being 'pooped' by 12. I guess you could always rent a stroller from that point... But as crowded as WDW can get, I would use a stroller.

I know parents want to give kids their freedom or whatever, but I really dont think Disney is the place to begin that freedom. Kids are inquisitive and even on a leash will get in to trouble. I found it being a constant chore, having to keep up with the leash.

I can only speak for myself, but it looked like a few of the other posters were saying the same thing that I am about to say...I am not leaving my stroller home. But, not all children (like my dd) will stay in a stroller for long periods of time. Letting them walk a bit actually makes them happier. She's not going to be walking the entire day...certainly not! But, when she gets out of the stroller and wants to stretch her legs, she will.

I'm not even so concerned about her wandering away on her own, but my biggest fear is, if I am holding her hand, it only takes an instant to get caught up in a crowd of people, accidentally drop hands, and get separated. I will have her harness/leash with us, just in case she wants to get out and walk in an area that I feel is not safe for her. When she gets tired, she'll be happy to get back in her stroller.

 

[skiwee1]

Hi, not a mother, but a sister of a child who's mother used the leash.

I think its a good idea if you realize that putting your child on his/her own feet means that those feet are going to get tired faster than your own.

So plan on holding them a lot, and them being 'pooped' by 12. I guess you could always rent a stroller from that point... But as crowded as WDW can get, I would use a stroller.

I know parents want to give kids their freedom or whatever, but I really dont think Disney is the place to begin that freedom. Kids are inquisitive and even on a leash will get in to trouble. I found it being a constant chore, having to keep up with the leash.

So, if you love that feeling that is when your dog suddenly decides to charge through a crowd, You have arms capable of holding 10-30 pounds for hours on end, and you want your day to end up being cut short, use the leash!

hehe, just my opinion....

Since you are not a mother you probably wouldn't think of what a lot of us mothers do. I always had the stroller and the leash when DD was small. She rode in the stroller most of the time. When she got bored and tired in the stroller and wanted to stretch her legs then the leash was brought out and was perfect! I couldn't imagine letting a little one walk all day long and don't think that is what most people do. DD also did not drag through the park pulling on her leash! LOL! I've never seen a kid do that. Did your sister's child do this? Did your sister plan on dragging her child around all day and tiring them out by noon? I feel for your sister. I bet her next trip goes much smoother now that she knows what NOT to do!

 

[wright1baby]

Pea-n-Me,
I am not sure you read my entire post or maybe I wasn't clear.
"wanted to add...I am not a parenting expert and I am not saying this will work for everyone. Just what has worked for me in my experience. "
I really was not trying to offend anyone and I am sorry that you took such offense to what I clearly presented as my opinion.
Again, whatever it takes to keep your children safe, as I stated before.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

wright1baby, I didn't take offense to your post - it's just a discussion. I understood the point you were trying to make and was just making one of my own based on my experience. I recognize that you've got your hands full and applaud your efforts to help your kids learn to stay with you safely.

My contention is that although many of us have likely made similar efforts to yours, all bets are off at WDW since it's a lot different from our neighborhoods and even the malls, and accidents can happen very quickly, even to those with normally good habits.

There was another thread going recently on whether you've ever lost your child at WDW. It is truly terrifying experience and I'm sure none of them expected it was going to happen. But it does sometimes.

I wish I could find it but a while ago someone described their experience when their young child somehow dashed in front of an oncoming monorail. My heart was pounding just reading it. (If I can find it I'll post it - does anyone else have it somewhere?)

 

[mjmcca]

I hvae used a harness on my DS when he was about 20 months. I tested it out at the mall and used it at WDW. I only used it becase i was traveling alone with him and his baby sister and couldnt hold him and her at the same time.


My kids now listen reasonably well and i no longer use the harness but it is a great tool and i wouldnt heistate to use it again if i needed to.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

duplicate post

 

[lclark0621]

First they are called a harness, not a leash. A leash is for a dog. A harness is a device to help keep a child safe.

I used to hate them before I had a child. I admit it, before I had DS, I would pass judgement on parents who used a harness.

Then I had my DS & my attitude completely changed.

My DS HATES his stroller, he would much prefer to walk on his own.

We bought one of the "Kid Keeper Safety Harness by Mommy's Helper" before our trip to Disney World last week.

DS is 21 months old, and like I said he hates to be in his stroller. He likes to walk & explore.

It is completely natural & normal for a child to want to explore.

In a stroller a child is completely confined. In a safety harness a child is able to explore, but also "confined" in that he/she is limited in how far they can get from their parent.

We used a safety harness for DS last week in Disney World. It worked great! DS walked the entire way around World Showcase & he was as happy as could be. At the furthest point he was only 3 feet from me.

If a safety harness is used correctly, it is a safe alternative to a stroller. If a harness is used as a "leash" it is not a good idea.

While my DS was in his harness, I had my eye on him the entire time, I followed him & he had my complete attention. I never pulled on the harness to remove him from a situation or keep him moving. I would be standing right by him & if he got into something he should not, I would take his hand & move him. If he stopped to look at something, I would stop & look at it with him. I would never just tug on the harness to get him going.

It is people who use a harness as a leash that I have issues with. People who just put their kid on a "leash" & walk like they would with a dog, tugging on it when the kid stops to "smell" (look at) something, people who assume because their kid is on a "leash" they can walk without having 150% concentration on their child.

If a harness is used correctly, the child will feel they have a bit of freedom, can explore their surroundings & can be safe.

Oh & BTW, the wrist ones are only good for children who are ages 3 & up, and actually should not be used until 4. They shoulder joint can easily become dislocated if pulled in the wrong way. I am not saying people will just pull their kids' arms out of the sockets, but it is a danger.

And for holding hands... I want my DS to hold my hand. But I also realize I am MUCH taller then he is. While holding hands is obviously safe, before you make your child do it for long periods of time, try walking for an hour or two with your arm reached completely straight in the air. After a very short time, most will become fatigued, and their arm will hurt. While I want to/love holding my DS's hand, I also know he could never keep his arm extended for as long as he wants to walk, especially in Disney World.

 

[LauraAnn630]

We will use a harness for our 2 yr old son. I didnt see anyone using one last year. I felt like people were judging me. I felt like people were looking and talking about us.

This year our DS is faster than last year! We continue to practice staying together and walking holding hands. Its just not working! He runs like the wind!!

I hope to see someone else using a harness this year too!

We dont always have to use it but Im not going to make our DS stay in a stroller for 2 weeks! That isnt right.

Have you ever ran after a 2yr old for 2 weeks straight? LOL

I am losing weight thats a plus!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I felt like people were looking and talking about us.

LOL, that's because they were!

But as many here have said, those were either the ones without kids or the others saying how brilliant you are and how next time they'll remember to bring one for their kid!!

Just keep walking with your head held high and don't let it bother you!!

 

[disneymama]

We used one when our daughter was 2 and she loved it. She knew she could explore, yet have us keeping her safe. She liked/felt secure with her Safety First harness so much, she kept asking for it whenever we went into large crowds.