Yet Another Harness Thread

[DRS_Are_Best]

Well, in several other threads I posted my thoughts on harnesses. Now I have to take back some of what I said. I mentioned that, while I understood the utility of these things, I would never use them.

To that end, in order to avoid using them myself, dh and I would take our 3 kids to the mall every weekend and take (specifically) the twins out of the stroller and have them walk holding our hands. We started doing this at the start of the year figuring that in 3 months, they'd get the hang of it.

Well, we leave for the world in 2 days -- the weather this past weekend was GORGEOUS so we took the kids to the National Zoo (only about 25 minutes from our home) -- this would be our final test. DD(2) FAILED MISERABLY!!!!! In fact, she did so poorly during this zoo trip that when we got home and naptime began, dh had to run out to Target and buy 2 harness backpacks (can't buy one for her and not her twin).

In order to see how they worked, I put the harnesses on the twins and took them for a walk in our neighborhood that afternoon (still quite warm and really need to take advantage of the nice weather when we get it). And it cemented my attitude that these are just leashes but cuter. I felt like I was out walking the dogs. However, I'd rather take the twin dogs for a walk through the world then spend my trip frantically looking for one of them when they (well, likely SHE) disappears into the crowd.

So, I'm sorry for my previous "holier than thou" attitude -- I too must use these harnesses/leashes.

But it's more important that my kids are safe, regardless of my personal feelings about these things, right?

 

[tanyaandallie]

One thing that I have learned since becoming a parent..........NEVER say never. Every single time I have said "I will never" I end up eating my words!!!

Hope the harnesses work for you!

 

[jlester]

You will find the harness very helpful if you have a "wanderer". There are too many people at Disney to chance losing your child in a crowd. We used a harness for our 20 month old in February and it was wonderful. Not sure we could have made it through the week without it.

Have fun on your trip. Hope you get great weather!

 

[Leajess99]

Well, in several other threads I posted my thoughts on harnesses. Now I have to take back some of what I said. I mentioned that, while I understood the utility of these things, I would never use them.

To that end, in order to avoid using them myself, dh and I would take our 3 kids to the mall every weekend and take (specifically) the twins out of the stroller and have them walk holding our hands. We started doing this at the start of the year figuring that in 3 months, they'd get the hang of it.

Well, we leave for the world in 2 days -- the weather this past weekend was GORGEOUS so we took the kids to the National Zoo (only about 25 minutes from our home) -- this would be our final test. DD(2) FAILED MISERABLY!!!!! In fact, she did so poorly during this zoo trip that when we got home and naptime began, dh had to run out to Target and buy 2 harness backpacks (can't buy one for her and not her twin).

In order to see how they worked, I put the harnesses on the twins and took them for a walk in our neighborhood that afternoon (still quite warm and really need to take advantage of the nice weather when we get it). And it cemented my attitude that these are just leashes but cuter. I felt like I was out walking the dogs. However, I'd rather take the twin dogs for a walk through the world then spend my trip frantically looking for one of them when they (well, likely SHE) disappears into the crowd.

So, I'm sorry for my previous "holier than thou" attitude -- I too must use these harnesses/leashes.

But it's more important that my kids are safe, regardless of my personal feelings about these things, right?

That was very nice of you to come back and apologize. I know how much it stinks to have a wanderer (out of 3 kids my youngest is my only wanderer) but we must do what we can to protect them. It is also a good thing you found out prior to going so you didn't have to run around trying to find one in Orlando. Have fun and enjoy your trip.

 

[disneybridetobe]

*HUGS* Thank you for apologizing. I have a very very friendly runner, and well, better safe than sorry. I found myself doing so many things I swore I'd never do. That's parenting!

 

[mjkacmom]

I only used them with my twins, because I had no choice, if I wanted to take them for a walk without the stroller. It is just not safe to take 2 two year olds for a walk around the neighborhood, with cars speeding down the street, without them. Plus, they LOVED them! I stopped using them when I lost one, and didn't want to deal with them fighting over the one I had left.

 

[Jennygt]

I also swore I would never use this but now with A 2 year old at wdw with my mom who can't run after him I have taken that back. TRS just emailed me that the Mickey one in in stock so I am going to buy it.

 

[missfigment]

Welcome to the dark side of harness moms lol....just kidding! I too am a harness mommy and I'm totally okay with that now. I thought I was never going to be "one of those" moms either...but then I had a sweet and ACTIVE little boy. And what's in my trunk along with his stroller? A monkey backpack!

We were at the mall last night and put on the monkey backback to practice and he did great! Yours will too!

Chin up mommy! Your little ones will do fine! And if you get any disapproving stares, smile confidently! You are doing what you have to do to keep your family safe, happy and what you have to do in order to keep your sanity. They're your kids! You know whats best!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I remember the days where I thought that I would never use one either, and then my runaway son came along. I had some funny looks while I was at WDW with him, but I didn't care. I was being a responsible parent and taking care of my child and his safety. Just know that you are doing the right thing, not only for your children, but for yourself. You won't have to stress nearly as much.

 

[dawminatrix]

As a long time Disney-goer....I'd have to say I see more and more little ones at the park wearing the lil animal backpack type harnesses. I think parents know what's best for their child and piece of mind.

 

[mjmoon]

I always thought they were pretty clever. I would absolutely have purchased one if I thought I needed it. My kids are pretty good about holding someones hand in public so we never needed one.

I must say I love the message in this post. It's so easy to judge when you haven't been directly affected by something... and I love it when someone has the ability to reflect and say, "Wow, now I understand where people are coming from". There are so many people in the world that don't do that.

 

[Disneychix]

OP you had me with your twin dog statement! I totally feel like I'm 'walking' DS when he's wearing his harness!

I bought one for my DS for our trip and my DH told me to "take it back" I didn't and brought it anyways and man was he glad I did! We don't use it a lot but when a 2 yr old wants to get away he will! Also, It's hard for a 6' man to hold a 2yr olds hand!

Have a wonderful and safe vacation!!

 

[smiles&grins]

Hey stick a Mickey or a Princess in front of a kid and they lose all other focus. Piece of mind is priceless in Disney. I too became a harness Mommy in WDW and I'd do it again.

 

[CrAzY4DL]

I too was one of the ones who thought parents were crazy (and/or just lazy) to be leashing their children (this was when I was oh-so-knowledgable and worldly at the ages of 18 and 19) but when I had DD at 20, things changed!!! My girl loved to walk next to me after she was one and she didn't wander and always held my hand but one Christmastime at the mall we were walking and a VERY rude man walked THROUGH us, forcing our hands apart and DD "disappeared" in the crowd for about 20 seconds (or 20 minutes. or 20 lifetimes...LOL) and I said NEVER AGAIN!! After that, I always had it in the back of my mind that what if were walking like that and the guy had just snatched her?! So, we did the harness where it straps to her wrist (wasn't as much available back in 2000/2001! LOL) and then a loop over my wrist and I figured, if someone DID snatch her, they couldn't get far! LOL It really saved my sanity!! With DD5, I thought it would be a savior at Disneyland but she runs too much. So whenever we went, it was NOT crowded at all (haha I planned it that way, don't ya know!) I would just let her run and when she got about 5 feet in front of me, I would say RED LIGHT and she would halt. She got to get her daily running requirement in and it was never a problem. Of course, this is only when there was like, 5 other people around in Tomorrowland and none actually NEAR us. I couldn't imagine doing it NOW, with how crowded it has been the last few times we went. (We did the running thing when she was 3 and 4, did stroller only when 2 1/2 and she walked holding hands with us when she was 5.) Will take her for 6th birthday in May, wonder how it will go! LOL

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Contrary to others, I have been an advocate of baby backpacks for about 10 years now, when I was 19 and really didn't like kids all that well.

I was in DL when a little one took off from his parents, right at me... then look at that! He froze because he was wearing a harness. I greatly appreciated his parents pro-active parenting ("I TOLD you not to take off...") and the prevention of myself getting crashed into by an over-eager kiddo!

While I think my son does great in public, I am DEFINATELY taking a baby backpack with us in a few weeks. He is very active and will be overstimulated by the World, and the last thing I want is for him to take off! The leash will allow him to walk around without having to hold our hands giving him the independence ("I'm a BIG boy") he desires, and I have the reassurance of him staying close!

Thanks for the post retracting previous statements. It's a whole other view when it's your kid!

 

[aidtrismommy]

I bring the "leash" wherever we go. It actually lives in the basket of the stroller so it is always there if I need it. Usually, I just take it out and merely threaten the leash and my son will stay near me. Not always, but for the most part it is a good reminder. At our last trip to Disney, he actually found the leash in the stroller and insisted on wearing it on his head.(he wasn't able to strap in on himself so it was just sitting on his head) I was afraid somebody was going to report me for child abuse!!! It was quite funny but I had to put it away so he wouldn't get anymore ideas. Now that his brother is walking (and walking wherever he pleases) he insists on holding the leash. Not a good idea, a 3 year old holding a toddler on a leash? I don't think so.

 

[adventure_woman]

I too have a harness for my DD. I haven't had to use it, she stays by me really well. I just had to add - the only thing I HATE to see is parents dragging their kids by the harness. The poor things, they are walking, and their parents decide to speed walk with their LONG legs and literally pull the poor kid behind them. (Not saying that anyone here does that - I doubt it, but just had to add my .02 )

 

[adventure_woman]

Now that his brother is walking (and walking wherever he pleases) he insists on holding the leash. Not a good idea, a 3 year old holding a toddler on a leash? I don't think so.

Thanks for the good laugh! I can just picture it!!

 

[aestapa]

We had the elastic leash type that was supposed to attach to the wrist. I slipped it through the back belt loop of my 18 month old. So, he felt some freedom and I felt secure.

Our autistic 3 year old got away from us in the Boneyard and was gone for more than an hour. It was the single most terrifying hour of our lives. He zigged when I zagged and he was gone. He actually left the Boneyard (the gate was open) and we found him 100 yds up the road in the gift store in Dinoland USA. On trips back, we learned that the growling noises of the "dinosaurs" scared him. The next time we went to the Boneyard several months later (with locater devices attached) he said he was scared and wanted to go "inside". I let him lead me...he went directly to the same store, AND the same wall of toys where my husband found him the first time.

When a kid knows what he wants, he will go for it, whether you are along for the ride or not. The "leashes" keep everyone happy...and safe.

 

[mom2meiko]

kudos to the op for not only privately recognizing that a change in opinion may be needed but for publicly stepping up and acknowledging it and apologizing for it. you didn't have to and nobody ever would have known. that was really great of you!!!