Kids on a "leash"

[E-beth]

The other day I was at our local mall. I had rented a stroller for my three-year-old son, but struggled with him alot because he wanted to get out and walk.

When we entered a toy store, I saw a mom with a baby in a Snugli, a stroller with what appeared to be a one-year old toddler inside, and a perhaps four-year-old attached to her wrist by a white ribbon which was also attached to his wrist.

"Wow!" I thought to myself. "I wish I had one of those."

After the woman left, I listened as the women sharing the same aisle voiced their displeasure at having a kid on a leash. They said the mom was treating her son like a dog and stuff like that.

Me, I want my son to be independent yet safe. I am trying to teach him to walk beside me, holding hands in public but it almost always ends up with him wanting to run through the store or parking lot and I have to grab his hand or pick him up and he screams and gets us both upset. In my opinion, the "leash" would be a great way to show him to be on his own but at a safe distance.

What are your opinions about these devices?

 

[janny108]

I think you are going to have differences of opinion over something like this. I myself have used a leash when my son was 2 1/2 yrs in a busy airport. Very effective! I did not care what anyone thought. But that is the only time I used it was in a public place like this, I would not do it for normal everyday stuff.

Jan

 

[Hisrosebud]

I was always taught that it was awful. Then my oldest son Jason was chosen to go to band camp in the air patrol. He was going to Washington DC to perform at Arlington Cemetary and all these places.

Now Caleb was just 2 and (we did not know it then, sensory issues) would take off and quickly. We were out of state, it was post 911 and after that shooter was down there in Maryland and Virginia--- so I got a leash.

It was the best thing I could have done. I actually got the harness type that went around his chest. THose wrist to wrist ones come off too quickly with velcro.

Listen, let those people laugh-- they never experienced the face of their loved one on a missing child poster.

Jane

 

[Princessperky]

I never put my kids in a stroller, so from day one (or I guess day one of being able to walk) they have to learn how to stay close and hold my hand. Much easier to teach, when they are still small and light and fit into the sling easily. (I do offer to hold the hood of their coat if they have one instead of a hand)

But, failing that, I guess you have to do something.

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

My son had a brief period of time when he was little where he'd just take off. We used a leash and love it.

Personally, I've never really cared much about stranger's opinions. I did get a few sour looks but I just made sure to pat my son on the head and say, "Good boy." Actually, I had far more many harried mothers come up and ask me where they could buy one.

If you have a child who is a wanderer and some just are, this is a great investment.

 

[BeanMak]

got mine at Toys R Us. After Dan at three took off in the aquarium (I thought he was holding on to the stroller) and I had 20 minutes of sheer panic, I didn't hesitate to get one.

 

[Leanna]

Most of the people I have heard complain about it do not have children yet. I don't think I will do it simply because I would hate everyone talking about it after I left. My son loves the stroller and I hope that continues. It would certainly be faster than a leash.

 

[Jengi]

When we took my then 2 1/2 year old nephew to Disney world a few years ago we used one. He had a choice to use it or his stroller. Most of the time he choose the harness. It made him feel grown up to be able to walk with some independence like his big brother. He liked not having to hold our hands all of the time and didn't want his stroller unless he got tired (which was why we took it). It was a relief to us to know he wouldn't get separated in a crowd. He also liked choosing who would hold the other end. We did get some funny looks but like someone else said, we also had a lot of people ask where they could get one!

 

[Jennifer615]

It's funny I found this thread! When my husband comes home from work, we will be going to "Babyco" to buy one for our son. Our son is 2 years and 3 months and he is a maniac!!!! He runs away and thinks its funny despite us disiplining him.

He has nearly gotten run over on the road twice, once he ran off when I was trying to settle him into his stroller and run up our driveway towards oncoming traffic. I had to tackle him about 3 metres from the road. Another time he wiggled out of my husband's arms when he picked him up from the carer, and ran towards a very busy highway.

My daughter is now 9, and I never considered using one for her, as this wasn't really an issue. She would hold my hand and was scared of the road. Our son, however is very very different. We have decided to get one for his safety. If it saves his life, I don't care if other people look down on me, saying I am treating him like a dog!

 

[lucypevensie]

We never used one. We insisted our kids SIT in the stroller or hold a hand. My daughter did not like holding hands for whatever reason, so I gave her an alternative, she had to walk right next to me. Any time one of them started to wander off I'd make us all stop and stand there for half a minute or so, sometimes go over the rules again, "stay by me!" Having to keep stopping gets frustrating and I guess they figure it's not worth it to run off. Now they both stay very close and prefer to hold a hand and if we ever lose sight of each other briefly they are immediately uncomfortable. "MOM! Where are you!?"

I'll admit we still have not completely mastered parking lots yet. The urge to run free overwhelmes them sometimes, and I have to bring them back to reality and point out all the big dangerous cars with sometimes dangerous drivers.

 

[CarrieAg93]

Just my personal opinion, but I hate them. I have a 2 yr. old who is a runner, but I still won't use one. If he takes off he is either carried, forced to hold someone's hand, or put in a cart or stroller.

 

[Jenna]

I have used one with my daughter, when she was smaller. Many times, we still held hands at the same time. The strap was basically to keep her from pulling away from me and being devious when we were out shopping. I didn't want her to be snatched up by anyone while I was searching clothing wracks with the very mean look on my face. lol I did make the intitial investment because it hurt my back to lean so far over to hold her hand for a while. My back is much happier, now that she is taller, and there is no need for her harness. Oh yeah, we bought a chest harness with a strap attached to the back, so she wouldn't get hurt if she fell. My sister has borrowed it a time or two for her little girl (who was 18 months old), when she was first trying to walk around the mall as a "big girl". They get so curious, but are terribly fast when they think it is funny.

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

I just always think that it only takes once to lose a child or have him kidnapped or backed over in a parking lot. Sure you need to discipline them if they run away but that first time they do it may be their last. I had an uncle backed over and killed by a big truck when he was only four.

Nope, no guilt when I used one with my son and heartily recommend them =)

 

[Andry]

Use it if it works. I've been to some airports where losing a kid wouldn't be too difficult.

 

[IslandBreeze]

I would never degrade my child to the stature of a dog while walking around in public.

 

[Zoomer]

I have never used one and never will. We managed through Sea Wold Orlando with a stroller and holding hands--all without the children running off. It is important to set boundaries when they are young.

 

[Andy Broadley]

The other day I was at our local mall. I had rented a stroller for my three-year-old son, but struggled with him alot because he wanted to get out and walk.

When we entered a toy store, I saw a mom with a baby in a Snugli, a stroller with what appeared to be a one-year old toddler inside, and a perhaps four-year-old attached to her wrist by a white ribbon which was also attached to his wrist.

"Wow!" I thought to myself. "I wish I had one of those."

After the woman left, I listened as the women sharing the same aisle voiced their displeasure at having a kid on a leash. They said the mom was treating her son like a dog and stuff like that.

Me, I want my son to be independent yet safe. I am trying to teach him to walk beside me, holding hands in public but it almost always ends up with him wanting to run through the store or parking lot and I have to grab his hand or pick him up and he screams and gets us both upset. In my opinion, the "leash" would be a great way to show him to be on his own but at a safe distance.

What are your opinions about these devices?

Anyone who knows the panic of losing a young child in a crowded shopping centre (mall) will say 'Gimme one of those and stuff what people say'

 

[EmSchmem]

I'd probably use one and I'd nearly insist that my husband did. He gets so distracted so easily, it would be nothing for the kid to wander away in a store. I don't think its degrading and like many have said before, it only has to happen once. I had my nephew downtown in front of the Center of Science and Industry and he pulled away from me and stopped just inches away from a busy downtown street. I bribed him with a toy (instead of chasing him which definately would have sent himright into the street) but would have been nice to have something to keep him by my side. They don't need to be used just anywhere but I definately understand them in busy places.

 

[HeatherJay]

I think it's one of those things that totally depends on the child. Some children are just more adventurous than others...and if a harness or a wrist strap keeps them close and safe, then I say go for it.

Personally, I think it's pretty silly (and mean, even if it's not intentionally meant to be) for people who don't even have children, or didn't have to use one with their own children to talk down to or try to shame other mothers who do use them. I never used one and never had a problem with either of my girls running off (they loved their stroller until they were proficient at walking and then they either rode on Daddy's shoulder, rode in a cart, or held hands), but I certainly am not going to judge another mother whose only motivation for using one is to keep her child safe. God bless all the women and men of the world who are willing to do whatever is necessary for their children's safety.

 

[Andry]

God bless all the women and men of the world who are willing to do whatever is necessary for their children's safety.

Amen!

Just the thought of losing my child would make me want to do and use anything and everything in my power to prevent that from ever happening.

I've never used a leash as thankfully that was never necessary, but some parents obviously find that it works. More power to them.