The monkey backpacks with the tails to hold

tmattson2005 · September 2011

Ok, just out of curiosity ive got to know what yall think about those backpacks with the animals tails that the parents hold on to with their toddlers? The Bump posted something on facebook taking a poll and alot of parents jumped to judging the parents that do use one as lazy.

My personal opinion when i had one given to me while i had a energetic walking 1.5 yr old, and a new born I thought it was great i could strap that on and hold on to her while getting the infant+carseat out of the car and walking into the store. Once we got into the store they both went into the basket and i would take the tale part off. I dont think this constitutes me as a lazy parent but one that is more concerned with her not getting hurt running loose in the parking lot because she didnt want to hold my hand and i cant run, set down an infant to catch her. Sorry it kinda hit a nerve i know everyone is entitled to their opinions and that is completely fine but jumping to the conclusion i must be a lazy parent just isnt cool to me.

gisa886 · September 2011

I don't see how that makes someone a lazy parents. They are nms, but that might change when I have a newborn and a crazy bananas toddler

MDmama519 · September 2011

I used to be against the child "leashes" but, as DS is getting older and more independent, I see why people use them.

It's nearly impossible to have him sit in the buggy while I grocery shop, even if I get one of the buggys with the car in the front.

Last week, he literally almost ran out of the store. I had to chase him down, left my purse and all.

mamabear0813 · September 2011

I was a runner, so if DS is anything like me I will have a leash for him. Other parents can call me all the names they want, it won't be MY child who gets hit in the parking lot or stolen at an amusement park.

ImThisBabysMom · September 2011

I'll be an FTM and I totally want a "leash" when my child gets older. I feel like it's safer, they can't just run off out of site. I wouldn't use it everywhere, but like the zoo. It's crowded and anything can happen if a kid wonders off. I want one for my child's safety.

I wouldn't judge if someone else didn't want one. Like someone said, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

TIFFANYTORRES1984 · September 2011

I use them religiously with my twins!!! Personally I don't care what others think, I just care about the safety of my kids I usually get compliments though and get asked where I got them from and the other parents can't wait to go buy their kids one lol My girls have the monkey and dog and they love it!!!

tmattson2005 · September 2011

And i totally agree, I had one when we went to the mall to eat and in our town that is the local hangout for all the teenagers three towns around so it was crowded on a friday night or saturday night and I would put it on her and she would walk just a few feet in front of me or beside me while i pushed the stroller with the infant. I had grandparents stopping me and saying they wished they had that when their kids were younger. I didnt use it all the time but in times where it came to me by myself and two kids + a parking lot or busy store i was using it.

kistjenn@yahoo.com · September 2011

I think it's a GREAT idea.....I wish I had one for my 20 month old......she's all over the place and at the age where she wants to "walk" everywhere and not be "carried" anywhere.

SteelCity44 · September 2011

I would love to own one in every animal, shape, size, color, etc. This is my first child, but I watched my niece and nephew a lot when they were little. And they were both runners. I remember taking my nephew to an indoor band show when he was 2, and he ran the whole way around the stadium, behind some of the pass-only places. At one point, he got a hold of a coffee stirrer and was chewing on it. I knew not to chase him, because he would only run. Some old lady pointed out that it was dangerous for him to run with the stirrer in his mouth. NO DUH, Lady! He eventually got a monkey backpack, and loved his monkey. All of the people that went with him in public also loved the monkey. Leash is a hard term, because they're rarely pulling on it, it just makes them aware when they're wandering too far. Sign me up!

WildcatPrincess · September 2011

I totally plan on getting one. Mostly for crowded events like the fair or a trip to the amusement park, but I can see where in the parking lot could be helpful, I'm already overthinking how I'm going to get both kids into the car without R running, then into the store!

FusionLMT · September 2011

It all depends on the kid. Some are runners and some aren't. I foresee DS being a runner, so we will probably need one when he is fully mobile and walking everywhere. I think I will always use something of the sort in really busy places like airports.

AmyJoy728 · September 2011

I had always said I would get one for crowded situations. DH had agreed with me, now he goes back and forth. Since we're having twins I'm thinking it'll be even more important to get them, as i'm sure one or both will be walking in opposite directions.

wwnbw · September 2011

I used it ONCE when we went to Six Flags. My DD was two at the time.

DragonflyBelle · September 2011

We flew to VT last year for vacay and 3 plane rides and airports there and 3 back meant I had to have her in one for her own safety. We carried her most of the time, but when she wanted down to run around, she had it on so that I could safely keep up with her.

nebrtwin · September 2011

My parents had "leashes" for my twin sister and I when we were younger and they were not the cute backpack type either. These were elastic and snapped around our wrists, and I can tell you that with having an older brother and then us two, they got used...a lot. We didn't mind them and even had fun with them sometimes at home, we'd snap ourselves onto either end of a single leash and run in opposite directions until we got snapped back by the elastic.

adamstodrake · September 2011

We do not have one, but I am getting one for sure. We took DS to the Zoo this weekend and he was nuts. Didn't want in the stroller and wanted to be independent. The backpack would have been a huge help!

GATORSnBRONCOSgoTEBOW · September 2011

tmattson2005:
Ok, just out of curiosity ive got to know what yall think about those backpacks with the animals tails that the parents hold on to with their toddlers? The Bump posted something on facebook taking a poll and alot of parents jumped to judging the parents that do use one as lazy.

My personal opinion when i had one given to me while i had a energetic walking 1.5 yr old, and a new born I thought it was great i could strap that on and hold on to her while getting the infant+carseat out of the car and walking into the store. Once we got into the store they both went into the basket and i would take the tale part off. I dont think this constitutes me as a lazy parent but one that is more concerned with her not getting hurt running loose in the parking lot because she didnt want to hold my hand and i cant run, set down an infant to catch her. Sorry it kinda hit a nerve i know everyone is entitled to their opinions and that is completely fine but jumping to the conclusion i must be a lazy parent just isnt cool to me.

Yeah, with an 18 month old and a newborn my kid leash was a huge help....I don't like the way they look or even the term kid leash (what all my RL friends call them) but they really are helpful when you have to run errands and don't have an extra set of hands around.

GATORSnBRONCOSgoTEBOW · September 2011

mamabear0813:
I was a runner, so if DS is anything like me I will have a leash for him. Other parents can call me all the names they want, it won't be MY child who gets hit in the parking lot or stolen at an amusement park.

Yes

tmattson2005 · September 2011

Hate them! Only lazy parents use them. Your child is not a dog!

this is only one of the comments i was talking about I mean really??

ABeautifulMind · September 2011

Well, I don't think it makes you a lazy parent, but they are totally not my thing. I leash my dog and can't imagine I'd even leash my LO.

Tambcat · September 2011

Oh, we're totally getting one of these. I'll walk Bailey on one hand, and my toddler on the other.

mamabear0813 · September 2011

ABeautifulMind:
Well, I don't think it makes you a lazy parent, but they are totally not my thing. I leash my dog and can't imagine I'd even leash my LO.

Not saying you're wrong or anything. If it's not your style, it isn't! But you would WANT to leash your child for many of the same reasons as you leash your dog! To keep them safe! To keep them out of things they shouldn't be in etc.

Many dogs will follow you peacefully on a walk and not need a leash at all. Many kids are the same way! Some, though, are runners. The dog who sees a hole in the fence and bolts for a run around the block and the kid who feels her parents grip loosen on her hand and slides away across the parking lot. It depends on the temperament of the individual.

I'm of the opinion that a leash for a kid is to keep them close and as a gentle reminder when they've tried to wander too far away. If they are constantly pulling and trying to get away like a dog, then it's time for a sit down to discuss the rules and all that. If you're just wandering around yanking on the leash constantly and not paying much more attention than that, then yes, you're a lazy parent. But if you're using it as an extra safety measure to ensure that when you have to look away for a half second to attend to another baby, or to grab your wallet to buy tickets or bend over to tie your shoe your child doesn't slip away or get grabbed, then it's a great parenting tool.

biochembelle · September 2011

My younger brother was a crazy runner and my parents bought one of these before they were cute and disguised like animals. Some people gave them a hard time because they thought it was cruel, but my parents' always answered with "Don't you think losing him would be more cruel?" That usually shut people up. For my brother's part, he didn't seem to mind at all. So I hadn't really thought about it, but yeah, we'll probably get one, especially if LO is a runner.

bio-oesch · September 2011

I see nothing wrong with them at all.
I think some kids hate holding hands and as ideal as it would be to just hold their hand all the time, it's impossible and I would rather get stares and comments than loose my kid or have them injured. I think it helps them to feel independant, but safe at the same time.
I told my bff I was getting one for dd, she freaked and said thats so mean. Whats mean about having your kid safe?? I don't get it and I think people need to butt out of other peoples lives. If your not causing harm then who cares how you choose to raise your kids.

Want a personalized experience?

The monkey backpacks with the tails to hold

Re: The monkey backpacks with the tails to hold

Choose Another Board

Search Boards