Walking harness question--8 yr old

[berries]

We have a walking harness and love that dd has more freedom now instead of holding hands that she hates to do but I am afraid she will notice other kids at WDW without one. And decide nope don't want to wear it. She is a runner and has little safety awareness so this is a have to use.

If you have one for your child, how did you get them to be cooperative once they got older/more aware of other kids? Right now I am always fighting with dd about what other kids are doing (playing outside alone when she can't without me, having mom at scouts when other kids are dropped off, etc).

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

 

[bookwormde]

As with all things logic is the best policy, just let her know how it keeps her safe in an unfamiliar environments and how it makes you feel more comfortable so you can have fun also, since social reference is rarely a problem once the informational reasons are explained the chances are it will not be a problem. Just be sure it is one with a removable leash since for safety reasons you do not want it attached during any rides you might want to try.

bookwormde

 

[Schmeck]

As with all things logic is the best policy, just let her know how it keeps her safe in an unfamiliar environments and how it makes you feel more comfortable so you can have fun also, since social reference is rarely a problem once the informational reasons are explained the chances are it will not be a problem. Just be sure it is one with a removable leash since for safety reasons you do not want it attached during any rides you might want to try.

bookwormde

That would work only if the child has Asperger's syndrome, which the OP did not state? If the child is not able to apply the logic behind the decision, and has no social issues, then it can be very difficult to get an eight year old to wear something most often associated with a toddler.

To the OP - could you give your child a choice? She has to hold your hand or use the harness, or maybe use one of those wrist-to-wrist straps instead of a body harness? How about using a stroller?

 

[bookwormde]

schmeck

I had allready read another thread by the OP so I had "inside" information

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2084096

bookwormde

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

I don't know if this helps any, but this past January I did notice alot of kids with harnesses on. There were the wrist to wrist type and the cute backpack animal with the tail as the leash type and then just the plain harness type. I was suprised at how many I saw. Many more than I have seen in the past (although I have only visited a few times in the past five or six years). It was not just toddlers that had them either. It seems like such a good idea when there are so many people everywhere and kids, of all ages, just start running sometimes for a variety of reasons and they can be out of your sight in an instant.

 

[berries]

I actually thought of this when I was looking through another thread of pictures and saw younger kids without harnesses.

Yes she has high functioning autism but presents similar to aspergers at times. Her speech has improved a great deal but is challenged socially. She either really really over the top loves someone or really really over the top can't stand them when she meets new people. All according to their age, hair color, sound of their voice, sound of their laugh, etc.

Thank you all! I am so glad she won't be the only kid wearing a harness there! I am making social stories and taking them along with us. I did order this harness in her fave color-red!

 

[karliebug]

I don't know if this approach would work or not, but when my children were younger and didn't want to hold my hand,or wear a wrist type connection I told them I was afraid that I would get lost and not be able to find them. Just switching it around them way made them feel like they were keeping me safe, rather than the other way around.

 

[berries]

I have had that thought! I told her about when I was grown and my sister was grown and we went witih my mother to an amusement park and got separated! I told her it was a scary feeling as I didn't drive there! How would I get home? Would I ever find them? I told her it is something that can happen to anyone, even grownups!

 

[teachallday]

This reminds of stories about my first visit to Disney World when I was five years old (developmentally much younger). As my Mom states it, I got seperated from the group and a Cast Member took me to the location they bring lost children. Apparently when my Mom finally got re-united with me, I didn't want to leave. I was having too much fun with the toys they had their.

Now that was back in the 70's. I don't know what Disney's lost child location is like now, but I am sure it is just as much fun for the kids to take their mind off of being away from their parents.

We tell our little ones about how scarry it is to get lost so be real careful to stay with Mommy and Daddy. If they get lost at Disney, they may never believe us again.