Will you use a leash?

thehillsarealive0000 · December 2011

So my college BFF is pregnant with a boy and I was checking out her registry when I saw that she wants this lion leash. Ok I guess the word is harness but everyone I know calls it a leash. I think it is cute but I don't know if I would use one. I always assume the kids on a leash have some kind of special need or are majorly out of control and the parents want to keep them safe. Are they necessary for average kiddo? Did you register for one?

P.S.10 · December 2011

I would totally use one, if my husband wasn't majorly opposed to it. Chasing after a toddler while sporting a big, pregnant belly is tough!

Ivana_Stolichnaya · December 2011

I don't use a leash, I usually hold onto my daughter's sweatshirt hood instead. I will say that it can be frustrating to keep them from darting out in front of people when they don't want to hold your hand. An easy answer is to just hold hands, right? But try explaining that to a 2 year old who fought their nap that day. Huh?

A leash would be an easy fix to this but I can't do it, at least not yet. That would be my breaking point.

Bonidiebabe · December 2011

Its not on my registry...yet. Thanks for making me think about it. Yes! I would def use one. Especially at places like Kennywood or the Zoo on really busy days. For me it is a safety issue. I don't care what other ppl think of me.

KatelynEA90 · December 2011

In my opinion, it depends on the kid. Some kids just bolt. Not all of them are attached to mommy's hip and are afraid of strangers. My niece would wonder off in the grocery store and let anyone pick her up. (We never let her do this, we let her down and I followed from a short distance to see what she would do or if she would freak out once she realized she didn't know anyone around. Nope, she didn't care.) My SO was a runner as a child. Children can get around a lot quicker in crowds than adults can.

I didn't register for one and I'm not going to buy one unless we have serious issues keeping DD from running away.

niracess27 · December 2011

We have only used it with DS at Disneyland and Airport. When they insist on walking but there is just too many people around. It lets him feel like he is a big boy, keeps him from having a meltdown. I look at it as an extra long hand

we don't use it on a daily basis though so in my opinion not worth buying unless you plan on using frequently

morethancottoncandy · December 2011

We have one. DD doesn't always like to stay in the stroller (who would) and is curious and likes to explore. The harness allows her to do so in a safe manner. We use it when we visit Disney, the zoo, festivals, etc. I'd much rather the sideways glances we get when using it than a missing toddler.

tbmadeamistake · December 2011

My mom has pictures of me in a leash. I don't remember it, nor do I feel like it scarred me. It did keep me safe. I will definitely be using one if holding hands doesn't work or I want LO to have a little bit bigger of a radius.

stemms8810 · December 2011

I used one with my daughter for a short period of time. Hers was a monkey. I used to think they were ridiculous until I had a small child that was very active. They come in handy in certain places.

Timeg · December 2011

Nope. Have two little girls and we have not used one yet. If you teach your kids to stay close or use a stroller/cart when necessary, it's not a big deal.

I guess I could see using it if you have a kid that, no matter how hard you try, won't hold hands/stay by your side, then it might be helpful.

I don't judge people who use them, but I do think it looks a little funny

Ximena M · December 2011

It depends on my kid. If she is a wonderer I have no problem using one. I don't think I would register for one though.

lisa5ny · December 2011

I used to give the side eye when I saw parents using them on thier kids....until I had a toddler of my very own. Some kids are "bolters" and will just take off on you all the time. DD does it sometimes and it scares the crap out of me depending on where we are. If she did it all the time, I would definatly consider using one. I wouldn't register for one though. Hopefully you won't need it!

erbear · December 2011

I've never used one, but my kid is not a runner, she holds hands well and she listens well. If I had a kid who didn't fall into that category, I'd consider it. However, I don't think you have to register for it. They're not expensive. You can buy one if you need one in 2 years.

thehillsarealive0000 · December 2011

P.S.10:
I would totally use one, if my husband wasn't majorly opposed to it. Chasing after a toddler while sporting a big, pregnant belly is tough!

Well that is true. Never thought of that. I can't imagine having two!

Five_letter · December 2011

This....

Leads to this...

thehillsarealive0000 · December 2011

You guys gave me a totally different point of view! Like a toddler in an airport that doesn't want to be in the stroller! That would be scary if they bolted!

JENVALENTINE1981 · December 2011

We use a cute monkey one for my almost two year old and there is nothing wrong with her except she is a toddler...she is anxious to explore and I think at times it is better to let her walk with our assistance than keep her confined with a stroller...It is safer for her to be on the harness because she is quick and unpredictable, we get lots of comments that it is adorable and my daughter loves the fact that she has a stuffed animal behind her!

thehillsarealive0000 · December 2011

Five_letter:
This....
Leads to this...

LOL!!!!

returning_bump_member · December 2011

Hell yes! Both my younger brother and I were leash kids. My mom only used it when we wouldn't hold her hand or were in a place like Great Adventure.

Chelsey68 · December 2011

Well most small children get excited and tried to run off in stores and public places. My friends had it and there kids loved it. I bought one but every time we put it on him he would scream bloody murder and glue his whole body to the ground.

bellelamb · December 2011

I used one with ds #1 he walked at ten months and is only in the 10th percentile for height so he was so small which made it very hard to hold his hand. I got one for him to use in busy public places and it was a life saver when we were in JFK airport and in Miami airport. He loved his leash he felt like he had some freedom and didn't have to keep his hand held way up in the air.

I registered for one for ds #2 haven't used it yet since he has only been walking for two months but I am planing on using it this spring when I have a new born and a 18 month old.

And for the moms that say if you teach your kids to stay near you then you don't need one, just think about how easy in a busy airport it would be for someone to take your child and disappear while you were distracted before you would ever know.

thefarmchick · December 2011

We have the monkey backpack. I think my mom picked it up at a mom 2 mom sale. I actually haven't used it with him but my parents have. They took him to the county fair and are not as spry as they used to be. They loved it because they felt like they had some control and he had some freedom.

I loved it because I didn't worry about my older parents trying to chase my toddler in a scary environment.

kensleyrl · December 2011

My daughter was taught to stand close to me and I never had a problem with her darting away or anything like that. However.....If she is not in her stroller then she has on her monkey tail. Always.

There have been too many children snatched right away from a mama's hand. With the leash and harness I know my baby is attached to me.

It has been reported that kids wearing a harness and leash make them drastically less likely to be kidnapped.

Luvmy2sons · December 2011

No, I never have.

missylyssie · December 2011

We used one for our son because he thought it was funny to play hide and seek everywhere. It gave me some peace of mind during really crowded events, like a fair. I never had to use one with my daughter, she stayed right beside me. They have totally different personalities and so I would use it if have to in order to keep a kiddo safe. <a href="https://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Getting Pregnant"><img src="https://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt1234c5.aspx" alt=" Pregnancy Ticker" border="0" /></a>

shanpren · December 2011

I think it depends on the kid. DS will usually hold my hand or ride in a stroller. He stays close to me or wants carried (ugh) in unfamiliar or crowded places. If I had a kid who insisted on walking and wouldn't hold my hand AND didn't listen, I'd seriously consider it for his safety. I'd work on training him to listen in public though so it would be a short stint.

Mrs.Teddy · December 2011

Never.

I said this before having kids and now DS is 2 and a half and I can still say no never. My son listens to me, he has two options, hold my hand or sit in his stroller/the cart. Thats it. If we are in a very busy area the options are out the window and he sits in his stroller.

I didn't read all the other responses and I'm not being judgey, if that is what someone chooses to do thats up to them. I personally don't like leashing a child and have always felt my children would learn at a young age they have rules to follow. So far its worked for us.

tara430 · December 2011

kensleyrl:
It has been reported that kids wearing a harness and leash make them drastically less likely to be kidnapped.

wow, who would have thought??

No I will not use a leash.

alr5 · December 2011

I have one and have only used it a few times with DS1 when going out in public by myself. I imagine it will see a lot more use once LO#3 arrives though, DS1 will be 2yrs3mos and DS2 will be 1yr when the new one arrives so I'll either have to wear #3 or leash #1 in order to get from point a to point b, even with the double stroller.

roxane · December 2011

niracess27:
We have only used it with DS at Disneyland and Airport. When they insist on walking but there is just too many people around. It lets him feel like he is a big boy, keeps him from having a meltdown. I look at it as an extra long hand

This. Our kids have both been early walkers. We got it first when we took our 1 year-old DD on a cruise and I wanted to be sure no one fell overboard (never again, BTW). Now, we use it when we take our toddler to places that are super crowded and we know we'll be there longer than he'll be able to stand staying in the stroller. Like PPs, at the fair. Even then, we hold his hand most of the time, it is just an extra level of insurance until they are old enough to develop some impulse control.

easjer05 · December 2011

I would absolutely use it if I have a child who is apt to run away or play hide and seek and refuses to sit in a stroller, etc. Better safe and side-eyed than searching for a missing toddler.

marielovestimothy03 · December 2011

This is definitely a don't judge until you've been there thing. We don't normally use one, my kids do pretty well in the stroller or wagon but when I had to travel with my 2u2 alone (when they were 17 months and 6 weeks), I absolutely used one on my older kid in the airport. It was a lifesaver. It was the week after Thanksgiving and it was packed with holiday travelers. She was running and too young to really understand the importance of staying by me. It allowed me to get through security with ease (and not deal with a heavy bulky stroller alone with 2), keep her close but still let her run off some energy and not worry about losing her. We haven't had to use it since, but for that one time I was very glad to have it and I never judge another parent for using one (unless they are ignoring the kid and dragging them behind them while they're buried in their smart phone) because you just don't know the circumstances.

Middlesnpoddles · December 2011

easjer05:
I would absolutely use it if I have a child who is apt to run away or play hide and seek and refuses to sit in a stroller, etc. Better safe and side-eyed than searching for a missing toddler.

This.

I don't really know what I plan on doing because I'm a FTM.. but if necessary I will totally use one.

FusionLMT · December 2011

I foresee needing one. DS hates to hold hands while he walks, and he also is super social and likes to wander. Once he is walking out in public full time I will absolutely use that rather than have him get hurt from wandering off or get lost.

sam19 · December 2011

I have a kid that has no problem holding my hand right now so have no need for one but I would have no problem using one if my next kid is different. I doubt I would use them for everyday things like the grocery store but for things like going to the zoo or in an airport I can see how they would be extremely handy.

WildcatPrincess · December 2011

In later years when my daughter is old enough to walk places and is too big to be worn I may consider it. I can't imagine going to a fair or amusement park with a ton of people and keeping a constant eye on her. Big crowds terrify me, it takes two seconds of me looking away and something catching her eye for possible disaster to occur. No matter how well behaved kids can still be unpredictable and impulsive in a situation like that.

kstopforth · December 2011

My sister used to use one on my nephew, swearing that he "runs off every chance he gets, and it's a lifesaver!" The first weekend I took him, he had just turned two and my husband and I both thought the idea of it was ridiculous. Children are not dogs, was our argument. We took it anyway but have NEVER had to use it on him and he's eight now. He wanted to run from me but I made it very clear that he was to "hold my hand, get in the stroller, or we're staying home." Ever since I've told him that he did just that. I don't feel the need to judge people who use them, but I will not. My mom was strict with me about those things and the rules worked for me. Granted, I'm sure one could make the argument that children are different with people other than their parents, but my nephew and I have been close since his birth.

skibunny59 · December 2011

I would use totally use one if I had a wild kid. My husband was actually on a leash as a child and he is not special needs. He was just a really wild, active little boy. I don't know if I would register for one though. I mean, you won't know if you need one until the kid's a toddler.

Five_letter · December 2011

kensleyrl:

There have been too many children snatched right away from a mama's hand. With the leash and harness I know my baby is attached to me.
It has been reported that kids wearing a harness and leash make them drastically less likely to be kidnapped.

Really? You do this due to your fear of random abduction? You do realize what your odds are for this, right? You might as well never drive with them in your car, because you realize that your odds are more in your favor for a fatal car accident. live in a bubble, live in a bubble, live in a bubble

Also, as for the "drastically reduced" part

smacb · December 2011

Never.

mrsbecky07 · December 2011

I would definitely use one - not every day, but I can see it being very useful if you are traveling through the airport or at an amusement park or a fair or something.

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Will you use a leash?

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