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Babies: 9 - 12 Months
MollyK0222
member
WDYT: Kids on a leash?
MollyK0222
member
DH and I were talking about this last night and I feel that I have VERY strong opinions on having toddlers/small children on a "leash" in public places. I think it is a terrible idea. Now granted, my child still is not mobile, so I don't really know how it is, but I don't ever picture myself doing that....
Any thoughts? Any experiences? Can you convince me otherwise?
miscarriage at 8 weeks - August 2009
This discussion has been closed.
Re: WDYT: Kids on a leash?
I'm all about kids on a leash. DD will definitely wear one when she starts walking.
For us, it's all about safety. I don't care what other people think. I don't want DD to be uncomfortable while walking, which is exactly what will happen when she has to reach as high as she can to hold one of our hands. I also don't necessarily want to walk without some way of attaching to us, because it's too easy for someone to snatch her. It will also give her a teeny bit of indenpendence, and I'm ok with that.
depends on the situation. yanking the kid around - so not cool.
but my mom was at a parade where a truck had to stop short b/c a young child ran out into the road after candy (the parents were not paying attention to the kid). a leash in that situation would have been helpful.
i also know families that vacation at disney who love them for in the big crowds (but again, not people who drag them around but to keep from being seperated).
for me, not so much for my kids. however, if i have a runner i might change my plans.
I think it looks ridiculous and it makes me think that the parents can't control their kids. But, I'm sure they have their reasons...
I once saw a grandma walking her grandkid around our apartment complex with one on. It probably made her feel better know that he couldn't run into the parking lot, but they could still go for a walk.
lol at this. I see kid leashes and I always say NEVER no way in hell!
Well my child does not stop moving!!! Right now she's only crawling but she LOVES to explore. I don't know how that will work out when she starts walking and can really get going fast. I'd say the leash is better than losing your child.
god did I just admit that I am even *thinking* of ever using a leash?
It has always bothered me to see kids on those things. I feel like if your child is going to run off and won't hold your hand then they should be in a stroller. I could never see myself using a leash on my child.
First of all, I prefer "harness" as opposed to leash. Secondly, I did use these after I swore up and down I wouldn't. But, I didn't ever think I would have 3 children 2 and under. I had my 2 year old twins (who turned 2 four days after my youngest was born) and my youngest that I take with me places. I didn't want to buy a triple stroller. In order to make sure I didn't have 2 runners and a newborn I used them. I used one with a backpack and the tail of the animal is the thing I hold on to.
Here's a good example as to why it came in handy, I had a double stroller and a sling but the boys didn't always want to walk in the stroller. Last November while getting the professional pics done for Christmas my mom was to keep an eye on my 4 so I could pay. Jon decided to bolt out of the Sears portriat studio so I had to run after him. You betcha I strapped him in that harness. He did no more bolting. I didn't treat him like a dog, pulling him if he wondered away. I let him the ability to roam and walk around without worrying if I would have someone kidnap him. While in crouded places it makes sense to me as someone who has multiples who like to go in 2 different directions.
i was always looking at people with these and thinking that i would never use them but now that i have a little girl who loves to explore and wander around, i can understand. i could see myself using them in some situations like an airport where it is more for her safety, yes we all want to teach our kids to stay close to us but this does add a little security
I think any parent who has had a child run into a street would probably be able to convince you otherwise. In the city where I used to live, there was a woman in a parking lot, and she had her daughter's hand, and "had taught her to stay close," (she said on the news). The girl bolted suddenly, ran in front of a truck, which was going less than 10 mph, and died. So it may not look great, but I bet you that mother would give ANYTHING to have put one on her kid.
If you think it looks stupid, imagine how great you would look on the news, sobbing about your dead child.
Sorry to go off, but safety should ALWAYS come first.
I don't think so.
I know the rationale, and I can see the safety point of it. I had a bunch of people call my Podee "lazy," when it was what was right for Joseph's colic and our hectic travel schedule, so I won't just come out and say it's wrong and bad. I don't know the kids or the situations that cause parents to use them.
However...my sister has three kids so active, there's just no explanation that doesn't involve methamphetamines. Seriously, she must be sprinkling speed on their Cheerios. And yet, no leashes necessary. It's not just that she knows how to handle them either. I have them regularly, and have since they were born.
Likewise, my brother was a crazy little boy and my one sister had ADD. My mom never needed a leash.
I don't see it as a "I can't control my child" thing. I don't like the old wrist on wrist type, but I do like the backpack kind. To me, it's letting my child have a little freedom to walk around & be a big girl, but not worry about someone running by & snatching her up & running away with her, much faster than I can run....that image in my head is much worse than an animal backpack. I will teach my DD to stay close & won't use one b/c I can't control her, I'll use one so my 3/4 year old doesn't have to spend all her time in a stroller. And I would never pull or drag her with it.
FWIW, I have a friend with a 3 year old that LOVES hers, she begs to take it in the store & wear it & walk around.
I think it's always intelligent to wait until you're at that stage before you decide what you will or won't do.
If I have a runner, hell yeah I'll use one for her safety. I do my very best to be a fantastic mother but I'm not fast.
"teach your kid to stay put" lol that's cute. Good luck with getting an 18 month old to fully comprehend that. If you can, more power to you though. If you figure it out, I'll gladly take pointers.
We had DD on a leash a on vacation last year. Mostly in large busy public places. The Virginia Beach aquarium, and on the beach itself, to keep her from running off and drowning.
I never would have imagined that I'd do it, but she runs off, and what am I supposed to do. She wouldn't sit in the stroller without screaming, and I can't be chasing her down yelling her name all day. (I hate that!) It was a perfect solution.
Gwen on a leash, Me 4 months pregnant at the Virginia Beach Aquarium
People can judge, think it's a terrible idea, say they'd never do it, etc. But I'll put my child on a leash/harness if it gives me peace of mind that my child will be safe and by my side in public places. And my toddler is obedient enough to listen to me if I want her to stay put with me. However, sometimes (esp. now that I have two) I can't keep track of her 100% if I need to tend to baby AND I'm out by myself (say, I'm at the store or whatever). For example, baby suddenly needs my attention and I have to tend to her with both my hands and take my eyes off my toddler for a minute or so... I'd rather keep her on a leash, than risk her inadvertently walking away (even though I tell her to stay put and she listens--something suddenly catches her eye and she forgets my instruction--she is, after all, a toddler) or being snatched away by some stranger (my biggest paranoia).
<shrug> If there's one thing I've learned as a parent, it's never say "never".
Another pp said it well... "LMAO, just you wait, just you wait"!