Can we discuss kid leashes?

PinkPiano · August 2009

I'm about 2 seconds away from getting a kid leash for my youngest (2 yo). I've always hated them but I had a close call with my dd running towards the street in a busy outdoor shopping area. I try to hold her hand but she will do anything she can to squirm away. The stroller is no help because she can unbuckle it and will jump right out.

When you see someone using a kid leash do you cringe?

And what is the technical term for these things so I can look them up at Babies R Us?

Thanks!

Rebekah1021 · August 2009

I used to hate them, but I came to see them in a new light once we figured out we need one for her. now, I just have to threaten to bring it out and she usually shapes up right away.

veloelle · August 2009

I don't judge. You do what you have to.

About the hand holding. DD used to do that, still does on occasion. I stop what we're doing. Unless we are in the middle of the street/parking lot, I will not move until she calms down and holds my hand. I ALWAYS have a hold on her, but I make her relax. If that fails, we go back to the car and do a time out.

camrude · August 2009

We have one and it's a life saver - especially when traveling.

M loved hers - we got it at Target (monkey one)?

LanaM · August 2009

I could never understand who would ever need to use them until my DS2 started walking..... I think I may go and by me one of them too.

KoriBrett · August 2009

I'd only get one if they came in Straightjacket for DS. Useless to me if his arms are free.

penguingrrl · August 2009

Mine is a lifesaver. DD1 doesn't always want to ride in the stroller and I want to encourage her to walk places, but she also sometimes tries to run. Now that DD2 is in the stroller I can't just quickly chase #1 if she runs into the street. We have the teddy bear one from Target and DD likes it so much that she puts it on herself to walk around the house.

EXL311 · August 2009

Before I had kids I totally judged people who used them. Now we have two, one for each kid. The ones we got are the monkey ones from Walmart so I tell them it's their monkey backpack. If they're being good and we're in a pretty safe place I just wrap the leash around the monkey neck. Maybe you could look under child harness?

PinkPiano · August 2009

Ooh, I just found this one. Dd would think this is too fun.

Product Image

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad I'm not the only one that needs one!

michaeltrish · August 2009

I'm fine with them. And I also feel extremely fortunate that ds rarely leaves mine or dh's side to need one. Also, I'm absolutely sure dc#2 (if that ever happens) will be the complete opposite and we will be needing a straightjacket and not just a leash.

GrowingFamily · August 2009

I am one who cringes when I see kids on leashes! To each their own, I guess. I have been a parent for 14 years now & have never resorted to a leash, LOL!! DH would not go for that (neither would I! ).

cristiana · August 2009

lol Kori!

Nope, I wouldn't cringe. I think I might have been anti-leash before I had kids, but I wouldn't blink an eye if I saw someone using one now. Safety isn't a bad thing. DD never needed a harness, but DS is another story. We lock him up nice and tight in the stroller.

AZ_Erica · August 2009

Depends on the situation. This one lady used to bring her kid to church with a leash, i kind of cringed at that, but they I realized she was probably his grandma and probably had a hard time keeping up with him. I don't cringe at much anymore because I figure I could be in that situation any day now that I have 2 kids.

Temp970088312507122 · August 2009

I have one but I feel weird walking with DD on it, like I'm walking a dog or something. She hasn't really needed it (yet) but if she does someday, I always have it in the car just in case. I definitely don't judge other people who use them though.

AnnapolisLari · August 2009

I love mine. DS loves it.

We got the monkey from Walmart for about $9.

TTCnumber2 · August 2009

I used one for DD when she was around 18-20 months. She wanted to walk everywhere, but would not listen. I don't judge at all- SAFETY first!

winomom22 · August 2009

I never had an issue with them. We protect our dogs from running into the street by using leashes, why can't we protect our young children who are just as prone to run off as well? People who cringe when they see them either do not have children or had mellow/cautious children who clung to their leg. My dd is the opposite. I have considered getting a harness for her, but she is good about holding our hands now.

brightning · August 2009

I don't judge other people who have them, but I won't get one for DD. I insist on carrying her in parking lots (sometimes she's kicking and screaming and I'm juggling my purse, keys and bags) or anywhere dangerous. I understand why people use them.

hcassell · August 2009

We have one, but rarely use it. I feel so self-conscious using it with DS. We bought it after he jerked away and pulled his elbow out of socket. He has now done that twice. I know that if we used the leash, it wouldn't have happened. I know I should use it more, just so that he doesn't hurt his arm again.

dpdw · August 2009

I used to judge parents with the leashes -- until I was a parent myself. I have 2, one for each kid & tried to use them once. I was flying by myself, the kids were 3 & 16 months & I was terrified of them running off & me not being able to keep up while running with the other one.

We get to the airport, I leashed them up & they each ran in the opposite direction, so my arms crossed & were nearly pulled out of the sockets, until they got as far as they could go & they both fell flat on the floor. LOL. I saw some onlookers laughing & a few looked utterly disgusted. I was cracking up. It was like a flipping comedy rountine. I unleashed them both unless I was changing a diaper, then the other one was leashed. It served it's purpose for that trip.

august06mom · August 2009

I don't like them, but I only have one child and don't need one.

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