Putting your kid on a leash

SmittyPants

I'm considering this.

DD will be 15 months when we fly to Austin to visit my in laws. The last time we did it she was 9 months and was content to be in the Ergo while we were in the airport. I'm doubting she'll be happy doing the same this time and I like the idea of being able to let her walk around and burn off energy before our flight. She's not great at hand holding and with bags, and crowds, and whatnot, I'm very concerned about just letting her walk on her own. 

Thoughts? 

 

ppants

We used the monkey backpack leash when we flew to Florida and our twins were 2.5 yrs old.  I knew I wouldn't have enough hands for kids, luggage, etc.  It worked great and it was the only time we used them.

colliebabe

No judgments over here!  If people give you the side-eye, eff them.  I think it's better to keep your kid safe and happy in the airport (or amusement parks and what not.) Leash-judgers can kiss it.

143BabyCakes

If she objects to hand holding how will she feel about being put on a leash? It may backfire and you will end up with a screaming kid on a leash. But if you are considering it, at least bring one with you so you have it if you want to use it.

Ilumine

My daughter was a runner.  She literally took out a 65+ yo nun in Metz France once. 

So yes, we used the "leash" while we taught her how to behave while out and about. 

Honestly, if keeping a child safe while they are learn

GrayGhost13

Honestly, your situation sounds like exactly what these things were made for.

I believe hand-holding and not running off are important skills to learn, but those don't happen overnight and don't usually happen by 15 months regardless of how hard

SandiaPinaMama

My mom bought a bear backpack leash for DS, who is 2. He found it and loves it! He begs for "help, please" to put it on, and will carry the leash himself until he feels worried, and then he hands it to one of us, as in if suddely we approach a crowd. If

Kitten80

Go for it!  It can be a big help in the airport or crowded places where LO would like to explore, but crowds are a factor.  I don't get the judgement on these - yes, I leash my dogs - to keep them from running into the street, people, or getting

old_time_girl

I only judge when I literally see people "walking" their kid. The kid is straining ahead of them while they are walking down the street chatting on their phone. Or, better yet, I see people at the
fair, waiting in line for something, not even lookin

sugarland726

I'd rather be judged for leashing my kid than judged for losing my kid.

SmittyPants

Thanks all! It's definitely one of those things I judged pre-parenthood. I'm going to pick one up today and see if she's amenable to it. 

lildevil968

We're putting DS on one when we go to Disneyland in May. He is a runner, and we don't want to take the chance of him running off.

Disneygeek77

Some kids are happier in one.  They have a little bit of freedom and can walk around and their little arms don't hurt from holding your hand for a long time. 

Ms5586

I was the old "I'll never put my kid on a leash!" person.

But now, after learning how to hold hands (as in, my death grip on his wrist), I would buy one in a heartbeat if we were going somewhere crazy crowded like an airport.

AKbadwolf

My DD would scream bloody murder in the stroller and about 15 months got to the point she would thow herself backwards in a carrier either killing my back or falling out so the leash was a life saver. 

LuckyDad

I'd be fine with it at an airport or ballgame or state fair or ... nascaar thing? Anywhere with huge crowds.

I'm generally ok with leashes, to be honest. 

RondackHiker

Can someone please flame this?

Then we could have the pouch debate, the leash debate, and a soft pants debate all in the same day.

If someone could start up the Mohawk and TV thing, we could cover it all in one day.

LaylaPartDeux

RondackHiker:

Can someone please flame this?

Then we could have the pouch debate, the leash debate, and a soft pants d

RondackHiker

morgann2010:

LuckyDad:</st

RondackHiker

morgann2010:

RondackHiker:

MoonlitPlumeria

Z loves hers so much that she will wear it in the house. We have the monkey backpack one.