The kid leash

pineconey · November 2013

We had ones that velcroed to the wrist when I was little. My mom always hooked me and my brother together.

maybe she felt like it would be harder to lose us both? I wandered off regularly without it.

mammasuzelov · November 2013

I'm a first time mom but this has always made sense to me for a very simple reason.. If I'm in a crowded place, and my child wanders off, someone can very easily take them.

I'd rather walk the kid and the dog tandem then risk losing my child.

But my husband thinks differently, rants of cruelty and parenting choices.

Mamamonzo · November 2013

abbeylanecb said:
I quickly learned never to say never in parenting, of course not abuse. If you need it use it. No judgment from me.

Eta: I tired it once with my 2 year old and he literally laid on the ground and wouldn't move. I think it freaked him out. We never tried again but he is pretty good at holding hands.

This made me laugh so hard! I just imagine a kid laying there like a bump not moving while the parent tugs and pulls to get them to budge! Lol

Rrrrrachel · November 2013

Cecilbear said:

Rrrrrachel, No, I don't plan on using them. I think that's okay of me to say. My parents had 4 little kids under 7 and they never used one though they traveled the country over with us. It's something I just don't believe in. If it's an idea you like, then please don't worry about what I think. It's okay for us to feel differently.

I don't plan on using one, either, but if you're going to call it "tying a kid up" you should acknowledge that there are a lot of Commonly done, less side eyed things that restrict a kids movement way more than the leashes.

Embeans · November 2013

I have used a wrist leash for DD. It gives her a sense of independence and the cord that attaches to her wrist is stretchy so there is no harsh tugging.

SunshineSarah12 · November 2013

No I never thought I'd use one either...until I was 6 months pregnant making a cross country flight, with no other adult, and my 18 month old son going through the "I can do everything by myself" phase. I was so glad to have one in the airport. During layovers we could walk around and I could feel confident he was safe and I was giving him the freedom he was craving.

I also have learned to laugh at my pre-children self, a lot.

J&NL · November 2013

I think they're appropriate when you go to places like Disney or other very crowded places. I guess it just depends on the kid. DD isn't hyper enough for me to put the harness on her but I can see why other parents might do it. It's about safety in my eyes.

Teresa1896 · November 2013

They are something I was judgy as heeeeeelllll about before I had kids. Now I get it. I haven't used one (our kid likes the stroller, fortunately), but I would if the situation called for it. A leashed kid is better than a kid who gets lost and terrified, or hit by a car.

ckred27 · November 2013

With the arrival of the twins I will have 4 kids under the age of 4. If we go to the zoo or somewhere else that is crowded and highly distractable to my 1 and 3 year old then I might go that route. havent bought one, but can see the benefits. Id rather get wierd looks that have that panic when you realize your lil guy isnt in sight and not know where he is and if he is scared ect.

NYJodway · November 2013

Cecilbear said:

My parents had 4 little kids under 7 and they never used one though they traveled the country over with us.

As a side note, unless you're only about 13 or 14 years old, air travel has changed a LOT since you were a kid. I flew quite a bit as a child and an adult, and airports are much different places now than they were 20-30 years ago.

A second side note, my sister had 7 children and only used the leash for 1. All it takes is that 1 super runner to create a situation of necessity. Your parents had 4 kids who didn't need a leash. My sister had 6 kids who didn't need one. That's all very nice, but it doesn't have anything to do with the kids who need them.

Cecilbear · November 2013

Rrrrrachel, have you ever seen the movie Away We Go with Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski? (Side note: It's really good!) This reminds me of this exchange, which is so funny on film!

LN: [to Roderick] They bought us a stroller.

Burt Farlander: What's wrong with a stroller?

LN: I LOVE my babies. Why would I want to PUSH them away from me?

luvU2theMoon · November 2013

I would never leash my child i think there are plenty of other ways to control a child but to each their own. its none of my business what you want to do with your child and i am in no place to judge anyone on thier decisions. Unless your a jerk and you are yanking on your childs leash and hurting them...then i will judge the crap out of you.

snmetz7 · November 2013

I'm not opposed to leashing kids as a general rule. I am opposed to it being used like a dog leash though. It's not mean to get your kids to "heel" it is mean for them to not run away or get snatched in crowded locations. If I saw that dad pull that kid onto his butt I def would have given him major side eye.

eta changed leasing to leashing lol im very opposed to leasing kids for the record.

Soon to be Mrs.Williams · November 2013

I don't like them. I'd prefer to just hold my son's hand or pick him up if I don't have a stroller.

JoelleOK · November 2013

I had to fly with a layover with my son by myself. He was about 15 months and really excited about finally walking really well. He saw the money leash as a challenge. He pulled until he fell forward. And he hated the stroller too. That trip sucked.

kwolslager · November 2013

snmetz7 said:
I'm not opposed to leasing kids as a general rule. I am opposed to it being used like a dog leash though. It's not mean to get your kids to "heel" it is mean for them to not run away or get snatched in crowded locations. If I saw that dad pull that kid onto his butt I def would have given him major side eye.

HA! The "leasing kids" made me spit my water out. I think leasing kids is fine too, I can start a business called "rent-a-kid", for people who want to experience what parenting is really like.. Or if parents want to teach their teens why BC is important.

But seriously, I know what you meant and I agree.

sandylou · November 2013

Twirple said:

Personally, I told myself that I would never use one, and I haven't. However, there have been times that I thought about reconsidering. I used to judge people who use them, but I don't anymore. I think it is better than letting your high energy toddler run out into the street!

I would totally judge the father that jerked his kid off his feet though.

same here. i don't want to use one and luckily haven't had to but i would if necessary. Some people say oh watch your kid and don't let them run...it's not always that simple.

melissashogan · November 2013

I said I would never use one but broke down when we took our 3yo to an amusement park with 20,000 people and a child that thought she was a teenager it was a lifesaver. I never had to use it after that and don't intend on getting one this time around unless we find ourselves in another high traffic area. I would rather have people judging me than the feeling of a missing child.

Serenla · November 2013

I think I'm going to invest in an invisible fence I'll just put the buzzer around the kids neck.

Ok seriousness I don't know if I'd use it. If I have a problem with a running child I will research my options. Until then I'm just meh about it.

katiedidthat · November 2013

luvU2theMoon said:

I would never leash my child i think there are plenty of other ways to control a child but to each their own.

Just curious- what other ways do you suggest? Not being snarky at all, I am genuinely curious what options there are other than holding hands (which is great until your child slips out of your hand), strollers (can be difficult to maneuver in crowded places and some kids just won't sit in one) and carrying your child (fine when they're small but once they get heavier or you need your hands for something this isn't always convenient).

patunia7321 · November 2013

I find this all very funny. I am a FTM, don't judge leashing, I may be a leasher myself- ya gotta do whatcha gotta do- I'll never say never! It's still funny. Yeah yeah... There is nothing funny about your child's safety etc... etc... But a kid with a cute bear backpack trying to run for their life toward the nearest Mickey balloon... That's good stuff.

Side note: I kind of remember this on an episode of Modern Family, and it was funny.

lyndsey774 · November 2013

At Disney World Judge me

kali55 · November 2013

I haven't used one with DS yet, but I'm totally open to it. I don't care if others judge me, so long as my boy is safe at the end of the day.

imogenisis · November 2013

How did anyone ever get by before the kid leash? ....oh yea, parents just held their kids' hands. #-o

heids4787 · November 2013

I was a "leash baby" when I was a kid since I would often hide under clothing racks (my poor mother)... My husband jokes to this day that he notices my tendency to wander off in a crowd. I say it's good to use if it seems right for your child. Plus I got a super cool backpack get-up out of the deal. Almost as cool as my neon fanny pack from 1992.

MapleLeafMama · November 2013

imogenisis said:

How did anyone ever get by before the kid leash? ....oh yea, parents just held their kids' hands. #-o

We never used one with DS, but there were definitely situations where holding his hand was just.not.happening.

Between 18 months and 2 1/2 were the hardest because our well behaved child had a freaking mind of his own and nothing could get him to hold our hands. We avoided big crowds etc, but if we had to fly or go to a large park like Disney, you can bet your ass he'd be in a harness.

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