What is your opinion on

MrsSR · November 2010

the child harness/"leash"?

I don't want to start a huge debate, just looking to see what others think about them.

MelBee12 · November 2010

wrong.

JoBieger05 · November 2010

Haha...I sense trouble...

I personally have no problem with them. My dad used one with me when we were in the mall and it was busy. A lady actually came up to him to tell him it was cruel, but when she saw me try to run away she knew just why he had a "leash" on me. My DD is constantly moving. She hates sitting still so I have a feeling we will be investing in one in the future. Not for un-busy places, but like the mall and the zoo and places like that.

sourpatchkids · November 2010

Not a fan.

kaylakaylakayla · November 2010

They make me uncomfortable.

Violet_McPurpleson · November 2010

In theory I don't like them, but then again I don't have any experience with toddlers. I can see how they would be useful and how a child would rather be on a leash than stuck in a stroller.

MrsSR · November 2010

I think they are great for places like the zoo or Disneyworld. I know our zoo has exhibits where strollers are not allowed and if I had a runner, I'd want a harness.

As long as the parent isn't dragging the kid on it, I don't have a problem.

I was a wanderer when I was little and got lost more times than I can count. My mom would look away for two seconds and I was gone.

rlscheck · November 2010

Little kids are fast and even the best parents can lose a kid. I don't see a big problem with them, especially in crowded places.

WildcatPrincess · November 2010

MrsSR:
I think they are great for places like the zoo or Disneyworld. I know our zoo has exhibits where strollers are not allowed and if I had a runner, I'd want a harness.

As long as the parent isn't dragging the kid on it, I don't have a problem.

I was a wanderer when I was little and got lost more times than I can count. My mom would look away for two seconds and I was gone.

This. You better believe in a crowd if my kid isn't in a stroller or a carrier they're going to be physically attached to me. All it takes is one second of distraction for them to run or someone to grab them.

kg_08 · November 2010

I personally will not use a leash, but whether I judge someone else for it kinda depends.

A toddler in Disney World? Probably fine. The stupid lady at the grocery store who I saw jerking and dragging her (very well behaved) kid around? Not so much.

AliciaCM · November 2010

nms

cg0112358 · November 2010

I will probably get flamed for this but I plan to use one in busy locations with my DS when he gets older. I would much rather get flamed than have my LO in danger of wandering off or getting grabbed. And for those of you who counter with that wouldn't happen if I was paying attention, please tell me how perfect you are that you are always attentive (and will always be) to what is going on...I absolutely love listening to people who are so convinced of their infallibility.

DreadLoc · November 2010

NMS, but if it is your cup of tea PLEASE don't jerk them around! Ugh...I can't stand when I see BS like that....

IndieMum · November 2010

I feel they should only be used in dangerously busy locations, however I'm going to try & train my kid not to wander away from me when out and about, and in a terribly busi place will most likely opt for a stroller or the Ergo.

lbarrera86 · November 2010

Ds1 didn't need one, buty he wasn't a wanderer either..I don't plan on using one with DS2

monkeyqueen · November 2010

hmmm......parents jerking their kids around on them = not cool. But... I have no problem with them otherwise. Not ever child is happy to sit in a stroller and as pp mentioned, not ever place is stroller friendly. Also, not every child is keen on hand holding (nor is it always practical .... it's also not because the parents didn't teach the child right.....) and I'd rather have a backpack harness than have to grip my child's hand hard. Also, some parents have multiple children, so using a harness is practical.

If you've never (or won't have to) need a reason to use one, fine. But, I'm never going to say never. We bought a little cute backpack harness where the strap detaches and it can just be a backpack. We haven't used it yet, but I keep it in the mini-van just in case we'll need it.

Jaimie01 · November 2010

I think it is ridiculous. Put your child in a stroller or hold there hand. A baby is not a dog and shouldn't be put on a leash like one.

kalu10 · November 2010

I probably won't ever use one because I would feel like I am walking my dog. However, you are still "restraining" them when you are holding their hand, carrying them, strapping them into a stroller. It is just a different way of keeping them close to you and actually seems less restrictive in a way.

Dobie_Mama · November 2010

I think they're great for certain kids in certain situations. I used one with DD #1 while flying solo with her a few times when she was a little over a year old. A 14mo old, in a crowded airport, with one parent, and a four hour layover = pure hell. The leash allowed us to walk as much as she needed/wanted without me having to worry that she'd break my grip and be gone in a split second.

But would I ever walk her around the store or to the park with one? No way. Now that she's old enough to understand directions I wouldn't use one anyway.

gnomely · November 2010

I'm for 'em!

Mitch, anyone?

Seriously though, I think they can be lifesavers for parents with bolters/wanderers. I was a wanderer and I know that I gave my mom several heart attacks as a kid. I'd see something in a store while she was looking at a rack of clothes and off I'd go.

I don't see them as lazy parenting, either. If your kid can hold your hand and walk down a street, great. If there's a question, why risk it? You can teach them holding hands/street safety while they're on their tether. It's not an all or nothing proposition.

Bride2bMO · November 2010

Lol at the certainty of mothers with newborns about how they will parent a toddler. I have one, but I haven't used it (yet). I am constantly teaching hand-holding, but as you'll find out, those wiggly tiny hands can easily slip right out of yours, no matter how tight you hold them or how much you've insisted on the "rule." If I had a circumstance where a stroller was not possible, and I was wrangling two small children in a crowd or next to a very busy street, you bet your booty I'd rather look ridiculous than to lose my child. I'd probably clip the tail to my belt loop and still hold hands, so it would be an emergency lifeline if he slipped away or someone tried to snatch him.

Bride2bMO · November 2010

Sorry, don't mean to be condescending, but it's hard to imagine what your toddler will be like. I'd bet that every parent ends up resorting to something they never planned on. It's good to have a plan, but even better to be flexible when your child's personality doesn't fit the plan, you know? And bad parents will jerk their kid roughly about with or without the leash. At least with a leash, maybe they wouldn't pull their arm out of socket.

PubStar09 · November 2010

Having gotten lost in a big mall in Brooklyn, NY when I was little, I'm ALL for them. If DS is a runner, I'm getting one. And I absolutely do not judge those who use them.

MrsSR · November 2010

Bride2bMO:
Sorry, don't mean to be condescending, but it's hard to imagine what your toddler will be like. I'd bet that every parent ends up resorting to something they never planned on. It's good to have a plan, but even better to be flexible when your child's personality doesn't fit the plan, you know? And bad parents will jerk their kid roughly about with or without the leash. At least with a leash, maybe they wouldn't pull their arm out of socket.

I learned quickly to never say never! You just don't know until you are there and every kid is different. My brothers never wandered away from my mom, always held her hand or stayed close to the cart, but I was always lost in my own world. My poor mom!

ValAndRyan · November 2010

lisajay09:
Jaimie01:
I think it is ridiculous. Put your child in a stroller or hold there hand. A baby is not a dog and shouldn't be put on a leash like one.

I feel the same way...and if the kid doesn't like it, well, too bad. They'll get over it and learn. If they scream and cry...oh, well, they won't be scarred for life from having to learn how to sit in a stroller or hold hands. In fact, they might just learn that they need to listen to their parents and adults and that they can't always get their way. I'm not opposed to lessons such as these and personally, I think a lot more kids need to learn them.

This. Ds1 was a runner and he learned real quick to listen to me.

Angela814 · November 2010

I agree with bride2bemo. Anyone without any experience with a difficult toddler doesn't get an opinion. I had one with DD1. I never had to use it bc she was pretty mellow. I don't see a problem with keeping your child safe however you need to.

SuperCuteBenz · November 2010

Ha.

I would like someone to take this poll again when you are all on the 12-24 month board.

Never say never. Wink

wifeandmama · November 2010

LOL

You have newborns!

Personally, I don't need/use one because my first is very calm and will stay right next to me, but it entirely depends on your kid! And PS - some will scream bloody murder in a stroller, so ya just never know what you're in for.

ValAndRyan · November 2010

wifeandmama:
LOL
You have newborns!
Personally, I don't need/use one because my first is very calm and will stay right next to me, but it entirely depends on your kid! And PS - some will scream bloody murder in a stroller, so ya just never know what you're in for.

See I would let my son throw his tantrum and scream bec@ause that is where he needed to stay.

Luigi1 · November 2010

I would be embarrassed to have one on my LO. Not so much for her, but for me. How gay.

samluv05 · November 2010

They make ones now that strap to your wrist and your childs wrist. I think of it as a extra precaution.

tarebear9891 · November 2010

I hate to pull out this card but I hated them until I had a toddler. Hated them. But once my kid started trying to bolt I could see the need for one (especially because I was pregnant and not very speedy). I never used one but I could definitely see the benefits. I wouldn't judge another mom for trying to keep their kid safe.

SuperCuteBenz · November 2010

Luigi1:
I would be embarrassed to have one on my LO. Not so much for her, but for me. How gay.

Nice.

jen_jupiter · November 2010

WildcatPrincess:
MrsSR:

I think they are great for places like the zoo or Disneyworld. I know our zoo has exhibits where strollers are not allowed and if I had a runner, I'd want a harness.

As long as the parent isn't dragging the kid on it, I don't have a problem.

I was a wanderer when I was little and got lost more times than I can count. My mom would look away for two seconds and I was gone.

This. You better believe in a crowd if my kid isn't in a stroller or a carrier they're going to be physically attached to me. All it takes is one second of distraction for them to run or someone to grab them.

This. My sister has one for my nephew that looks like a monkey and he likes wearing it.

jen_jupiter · November 2010

SuperCuteBenz:
Luigi1:

I would be embarrassed to have one on my LO. Not so much for her, but for me. How gay.

Nice.

Ditto. My thought exactly...nice...

Want a personalized experience?

What is your opinion on

Re: What is your opinion on

Choose Another Board

Search Boards