Wrist Tether or Monkey Backpack for Toddler?

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Hi All,
I've read some threads about whether or not to "leash" your kid, but for my almost 3yo DS, it's not a question of whether but with what. He's a runner and he's fast. We're bringing an umbrella stroller for any long stretches of walking, but otherwise he'll want to walk. We already have a monkey backpack that we only use in airports, and he doesn't mind it for that purpose, but it doesn't work for shopping or anything else, he just strains against it. I'm also thinking it might be too hot even in October to wear a fuzzy backpack.

I don't want to risk injuring his elbow or shoulder by keeping a Vulcan death grip on his hand either, so I was thinking about getting one of those wrist tethers. One idea I had was to attach it to my mom, so that he can "help keep Mimi from getting lost at Disney World." (They don't get to see each other very often, and she has vertigo so she'll be staying with him when we ride coasters).

Thoughts/experiences? Any brand recs? TIA!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

We did the monkey backpack thing. No regrets at all. In fact, we had people stopping us all the time asking where we got it. It allowed our little ones to get out of the stroller without me worrying that they'd run away (my kids were runners too).

 

[olwyngdh]

The only problem I have with the wrist tether with my older daughter (younger one didn't need one) was that it gave her way too much distance from me--it stretched out to almost 20 ft. I would be concerned about the distance in the parks because of the chance of someone running into it/tripping over it and both your child and the person getting hurt. If they make them shorter now, I think it would be wonderful.

 

[aylarosie]

I do not know when you are leaving ,but I would train him to use the strap but hold onto the stroller.I walk every day with 4 toddlerd each one has a strap I attach it to stroller but they need to hold on.It most definately is a safety concern (tripping ect)I would explain the safety isseues and of course have plenty of run around time.

 

[rachael95]

My DS has a monkey backpack but we decided to go with the wrist tether for Disney.

We used this one: Baby Buddy Toddler Tether

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GF6NSQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I LOVED this thing.

First - why we didn't use the monkey backpack
1. He thinks it's fun to run and drag me along behind
2. It's HOT and he complained about that during the summer when we were testing it, so I didn't want to try it in September in FL.
3. It was cumbersome and hard to get on and off quickly
4. He eventually feels tied into it and wants it off RIGHT NOW!
5. My DH looked at me and said, "You realize he has a monkey on his back, right?" Took me a minute to realize what he was talking about.

Why we went with the Baby Buddy Toddler Tether
1. The length is only about 2 feet. It's VERY short.
2. He felt like he could lead me, but since it was also easy to hold hands, it was more of a safety net if we wanted to just take a break from holding hands or if he slipped out.
3. It goes on using a slip knot on his wrist. Can be adjusted to size easily, can be removed and put back on easily. (Much easier than the backpack).
4. Even though we used it constantly, we weren't relying on the leash to guide him. It was obviously used for safety to keep him from running. Or to slow him down when he's running and I'm trying to keep up. (so got mostly compliments and snickers from onlookers and I could tell the snickers were from people watching me trying to keep up calling to him to slow down and not the "I can't believe you put your child in that" snicker.) I think he really thought it was to keep me safe more than anything.
5. You can leave this on while he's in the stroller and not have to take it off like you would a backpack.
6. When he got tired of it, he was actually capable of taking it off himself - though it took him long enough he usually asked for (and received) help doing it.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

My DS has a monkey backpack but we decided to go with the wrist tether for Disney. We used this one: Baby Buddy Toddler Tether http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GF6NSQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I LOVED this thing. First - why we didn't use the monkey backpack 1. He thinks it's fun to run and drag me along behind 2. It's HOT and he complained about that during the summer when we were testing it, so I didn't want to try it in September in FL. 3. It was cumbersome and hard to get on and off quickly 4. He eventually feels tied into it and wants it off RIGHT NOW! 5. My DH looked at me and said, "You realize he has a monkey on his back, right?" Took me a minute to realize what he was talking about. Why we went with the Baby Buddy Toddler Tether 1. The length is only about 2 feet. It's VERY short. 2. He felt like he could lead me, but since it was also easy to hold hands, it was more of a safety net if we wanted to just take a break from holding hands or if he slipped out. 3. It goes on using a slip knot on his wrist. Can be adjusted to size easily, can be removed and put back on easily. (Much easier than the backpack). 4. Even though we used it constantly, we weren't relying on the leash to guide him. It was obviously used for safety to keep him from running. Or to slow him down when he's running and I'm trying to keep up. (so got mostly compliments and snickers from onlookers and I could tell the snickers were from people watching me trying to keep up calling to him to slow down and not the "I can't believe you put your child in that" snicker.) I think he really thought it was to keep me safe more than anything. 5. You can leave this on while he's in the stroller and not have to take it off like you would a backpack. 6. When he got tired of it, he was actually capable of taking it off himself - though it took him long enough he usually asked for (and received) help doing it.

Great to hear as this was the brand I was considering. I think I'll order it and try it here at a museum or something to see how he responds. Thanks for your input!

 

[rachael95]

Just an update, I checked and it says it's 39" which would be slightly more than 3 feet. It sure didn't feel that long. But maybe it is when you count the amount of the loop for the wrists. I also tended to hold any slack in my hands as I was holding hands with him, so I'd just let the slack out a bit if he wanted to walk by himself.

 

[abh413]

I've never used a harness at Disney but I am an experienced user. I personally did not like any of the elastic/stretchy "leashes" (wrist or harness). My child would just turn it into a tug of war game.

My favorite was a simple one from Safety 1st. It had a short but reasonable length leash strap and it was firm. The strap attached at the back with a clip for fast removing if necessary (like for a ride). http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0VNF666G1Z3CGQ4Q7AT8

I would definitely practice with it. We developed our own "rules" while using it and my child was happy for their "freedom". Good luck!

 

[MSSANDRA]

You have gotten lots of good advice but just a couple more thoughts.

Be very sure that he can not get the wrist lease off his wrist. Some kids are masters at that and if you assume he is tethered to you, your guard might not be quite as high.

Think about whether your mom might be at risk of falling if he bolts or twist the lease around her legs.

Perhaps consider a non back pack harness that would be cooler but still give you a bit more control. If he bolts in it....in the stroller he goes.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

You have gotten lots of good advice but just a couple more thoughts.

Be very sure that he can not get the wrist lease off his wrist. Some kids are masters at that and if you assume he is tethered to you, your guard might not be quite as high.

Think about whether your mom might be at risk of falling if he bolts or twist the lease around her legs.

Perhaps consider a non back pack harness that would be cooler but still give you a bit more control. If he bolts in it....in the stroller he goes.

Good points.

We would get the short one so there would be little risk of wrapping the leash but yes, I would be worried about her losing her balance if he gives a sudden yank, she's relatively young and in good health but she's not as used to being around him as we are. It may be best to tether him to his dad. I do worry about dispersal of responsibility that could be caused by the adults to kid ratio (once at a pool we both thought the other had him, luckily they hadn't let the kids into the pool yet and he was still in line to go in). I'm hoping he won't mind the wrist leash as he will already have a MB and ID bracelet on so it would just be one more thing. But I will check out the non-backpack harnesses too. Thanks!

 

[rachael95]

Just a tip, I made a cute little dog tag that was Mike Wazowski's eye (literally, go to Walmart in the pet section and make a dog tag) for our son with our names, phone numbers, etc. It was only $6 and attached to his shoe. What I didn't think about was that he had two pairs of shoes and it was a pain in the neck switching that tag when he decided to wear a different pair of shoes. So if you go that route, get a tag for each pair of shoes.

But we did get a lot of compliments from parents on how cute and what a good idea it was.

 

[North of Mouse]

Hi All,
I've read some threads about whether or not to "leash" your kid, but for my almost 3yo DS, it's not a question of whether but with what. He's a runner and he's fast. We're bringing an umbrella stroller for any long stretches of walking, but otherwise he'll want to walk. We already have a monkey backpack that we only use in airports, and he doesn't mind it for that purpose, but it doesn't work for shopping or anything else, he just strains against it. I'm also thinking it might be too hot even in October to wear a fuzzy backpack.

I don't want to risk injuring his elbow or shoulder by keeping a Vulcan death grip on his hand either, so I was thinking about getting one of those wrist tethers. One idea I had was to attach it to my mom, so that he can "help keep Mimi from getting lost at Disney World." (They don't get to see each other very often, and she has vertigo so she'll be staying with him when we ride coasters).

Thoughts/experiences? Any brand recs? TIA!

I would say the backpack over the wrist band if you really have to use something. Hot, or not, I would not be pulling on his arms all day. One thing, would be so uncomfortable, two, could easily injure his arm.

 

[Nztara]

We used a non-backpack harness at Seaworld with reasonable success. We should have practiced more before we left.

When I was a nanny as a teenager, I went with a family who had a 3 year old who was out of a wrist tether and bolting down a path way to fast for my safety comfort level.

 

[slzer0]

I think my DS would tear at a wrist harness all day . I'm bringing a monkey backpack and hoping we don't have to use it. He likes his from regular backpack so hopefully if we do need it he won't freak.

 

[hsmamato2]

I used to have one of those runners tenacious little bugger grew up to quite a nice kid I used to have to tether him in the back of him,so he couldn't tear it off and keep running....I used to keep him in overalls a lot and attached a wrist type kidleash to the back so he couldn't get it off. It was absolutely impossible to hold his hand and walk,since he was so tiny, I would heav had to crouch and walk at the same time! And strollers....well, he tolerated those when he was VERY tired.... I don't care what people think about them, they are lifesavers with kids like these! (He wasn't my only kid either,just the only 'runner') I say tied in back!

 

[slzer0]

I used to have one of those runners tenacious little bugger grew up to quite a nice kid I used to have to tether him in the back of him,so he couldn't tear it off and keep running....I used to keep him in overalls a lot and attached a wrist type kidleash to the back so he couldn't get it off. It was absolutely impossible to hold his hand and walk,since he was so tiny, I would heav had to crouch and walk at the same time! And strollers....well, he tolerated those when he was VERY tired.... I don't care what people think about them, they are lifesavers with kids like these! (He wasn't my only kid either,just the only 'runner') I say tied in back!

Very interesting.

 

[queenminnie]

We took a 20 month old in May. I was concerned about the Monkey Backpack in the heat. Toys R Us has a harness that has a miniature canvas backpack. He loved it because he had a backpack that looked like the adults. It was handy for his sippy cup and snacks

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We just got back from our trip so I thought I'd post a quick update if it's helpful for anyone. We ended up taking both the monkey and the tether and used neither! The combination of overstimulation and the heat left DS more than happy to hop in the stroller between locations, the only time he was on his feet was when we were waiting in line. He bolted in line at BOG once but there was nowhere to go! Oh well, guess you can't be too prepared.

 

[Toddupton]

We have a http://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Im-Here-cl-305-Locator/dp/B001M9NDWA bear alarm. When he gets 20 to 30 feet away the alarm goes off to let us know or we can push a button on the remote and the alarm goes off. We leave in 7 days so we will see how it works

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Dlanod]

My son is nearly 30 now, but at the time, I found this small, lightweight backpack that had a leash attached. It was just the right length and it held his jacket, (didn't need a heavy jacket for Disneyland in March). He never seemed to mind it and the curly telephone cord time wrist leashes were just out at the time. I saw many people using them and they just never seemed to work out. They had way too much leeway in them and could be wrapped and tangled around things easily. I still have that backpack, and I saved it because it was just perfect.

He also wore Osh Kosh Overalls a lot and the idea of tagging a leash to the back of those seems brilliant. Wish I had thought of that. I also think the shoe tag thing is also very clever and I will pass that one on. Thanks. Just realize that you are not the only one that has been through this.