Toddler Leash

Helenahhandbasket · January 2014

Ok-- what do you all think?

Saturday, we are taking DD to a large local aquarium for her birthday. She loves fish, and I think she would really like to walk around herself (instead of riding in her stroller) but she's not quite capable of holding my hand nicely and listening to my H and I.

I caved and bought one of those back pack/ toddler leash things, but I am not 100% sure about actually using it.

Thoughts? Would you/ have you used one? Would you totally side eye me?

CinemaGoddess · January 2014

Do it.

I never side-eye leashes. Even if they're on bigger kids.

TB taught me that.

Monkeybabe · January 2014

I have not used one yet, but if I felt that my kid might bolt in a crowd, I'd use it in a heart beat. Strollers in aquariums are a PITA.

ShakeyJakey · January 2014

I would use it. My kid is 1 and very heavy. He can walk but he's still short enough that I have to lean over for his hand. I would just caution you to stay close to her because she might run away and trip other kids/adults with the leash if she gets excited.

SpaceGirlSpiff · January 2014

I think it's completely stupid to side-eye "leashes". It's a backpack with a harness, and it comes with peace of mind that if my kid darts away, I wont lose him in a large crowd.

I say so what if people side-eye... it's ignorant of them, there's no good logical reason to judge this. It's actually LESS restrictive than a stroller, lets them walk independently but also keeps them safe just in case. What is the issue?

Do I think they are always necessary, no... these tools are best kept for crowded, busy, and/or more dangerous places.... theme parks, airports, etc. ...Or just places where it's really hard to maneuver or fit a stroller.

Go for it, fuck the judgers.

littlestjerry · January 2014

People without kids will judge you, but fuck 'em.

bcbuzzafsu · January 2014

We have one. It has bat wings. Every kid ever loves it. I use it as a back up. I hold his hand and the leash but if he breaks away from me I still have him. Plus he can carry his snack in it.

shadypines · January 2014

We won't use one, but I don't judge parents who do....

CinemaGoddess · January 2014

pobrecita said:

::waits for lazy parent comment:

We're not on the SAHM board.

GAWD, Toby.

wesleycrusher · January 2014

I bought one to take with us to Disney. Don't know if we'll need to use it, but I feel better having it if we do. My thought is that I want BOTH of us to have a good time, and if a harness makes things easier and more enjoyable then why not?

Maybe you should try it out on her before you go? That way you don't get there and she's like "WTH is this?" and freak.

littlestjerry · January 2014

Oh, and we're bringing one to disney for sure, but I'm afraid it can't tame my wild man!

SpaceGirlSpiff · January 2014

For me, the leash would be more like a backup... I still try to keep holding DS's hand as we walk, but if he yanks away and runs, the leash is peace of mind he wont get far.

I tried it once where I just let DS walk freely on the leash and he just kept yanking and running the wrong way so.. eh. Luckily he does pretty well when I'm holding his hand.

theseaword · January 2014

I would use one in a flipping second if I thought DS wouldn't just lie down on the floor and throw a fit until I let him run free. He's such a pain about sitting the stroller lately. He either wants me to carry him, or he wants to tear ass wildly through wherever we are.
If you think she'll be good with it, do it up.

Smootchy · January 2014

run it

ASmallWonder · January 2014

mbenit4 said:

I would not. I have not. I judge the people who still can't keep up with their kid and the leash gets in my way.

I'm not sure why you think "keeping up" is the issue. Unless you've bound your hand to theirs, the possibility always exists that they use their freakish toddler strength to rip their hand from yours and run off. In a crowd a little person can get a lot further a lot faster than an adult giving chase. And in the case of having two kids? Yeah, sometimes you need both hands free to do something for the baby and need to know the kid is somehow attached to you since you can't hold them, keep eyes on them and change a diaper at the same time.

JackoftheBox · January 2014

Do it. I really wanted to get one last year when we took DS to the zoo. We didn't but I wished we would have.

Helenahhandbasket · January 2014

awesomesauce123 said:

I bought one to take with us to Disney. Don't know if we'll need to use it, but I feel better having it if we do. My thought is that I want BOTH of us to have a good time, and if a harness makes things easier and more enjoyable then why not?

Maybe you should try it out on her before you go? That way you don't get there and she's like "WTH is this?" and freak.

That's actually a really good idea. I think we will do that, because my kid is the type to freak. Thank you!

Helenahhandbasket · January 2014

Thanks for the feedback. I think we def will try it first, but I feel a lot better about potentially using it despite any side eye!

colliebabe · January 2014

Everything @SpaceGirlSpiff said. I don't use mine much anymore, but DD is a runner so I used it for a period of time before she could understand why she couldn't run away from me (and wouldn't hold my hand and would fall on the ground if I tried to force her.) I agree it's a fucking stupid thing to waste energy judging and the haters can suck it.

msdrdg · January 2014

DS loves his leash. He has the teddy bear one. He even brings it to daycare some days as his nap time stuffed animal.

We told him it was his safety bear and it would help him to stay safe. When we go to crowded places he asks us to put on his safety bear.

SpaceGirlSpiff · January 2014

Another bonus is it's pretty inexpensive so you can just get one to have just in case... I found mine at Target for like $10

IFUSEEKAMY · January 2014

I'm a newb here, but we love ours. It was a great buy and he likes wearing it.

FalconCrest · January 2014

Team leash here. I would use one in a heartbeat if one of my kids needed it. Anyone who side-eyes it can go fuck off.

CurlyQ284 · January 2014

I want one so so bad. DS wont hold my hand and walk. If I try to hold his hand he pulls his hand away and screams. I think it throws off his balance since he's still toddling around.

Pips09 · January 2014

We just got one this weekend for my H to use on a trip to the museum. He said it worked well, and she loves her new back pack. Win-win.

MagickalNarwhal · January 2014

I think it's so crazy to judge leashes on kids. I actually think its MORE respectful to leash them so they have a degree of mobility and the ability to explore. Also, if you are going for any amount of time, well, I have tried holding on to the safety rings wen in standing on a bus and my shoulder hurts after a few minutes. I can't imagine someone wanting me to hold my arm up like that for hand holding for any amount of time!

CurlyQ284 · January 2014

I rarely leave my house because of all this. Judging because of a leash, sure thats not a surprise but DS is insanely independent. He has to be half asleep or sick for me to get a decent hug. He hates his stroller, if its not moving there is a time limit of about 1 minute before he starts flipping out (yayyy more judging). He wants to explore which isnt an option because its an inconvenience to everyone else.

I wish people were more understanding but nope. So there we are in our 20 x15 foot space. I'm glad he goes to daycare so he can at least spaz out there.

DogfishHead · January 2014

Yes. Whatever keeps your kid safe, use.

Helenahhandbasket · January 2014

CurlyQ284 said:

I rarely leave my house because of all this. Judging because of a leash, sure thats not a surprise but DS is insanely independent. He has to be half asleep or sick for me to get a decent hug. He hates his stroller, if its not moving there is a time limit of about 1 minute before he starts flipping out (yayyy more judging). He wants to explore which isnt an option because its an inconvenience to everyone else. I wish people were more understanding but nope. So there we are in our 20 x15 foot space. I'm glad he goes to daycare so he can at least spaz out there.

Your DS and my DD sound a lot alike, actually. She also hates when the she's her carseat and we are stopped in traffic or at a light.

CurlyQ284 · January 2014

Helenahhandbasket said:

CurlyQ284 said:

I rarely leave my house because of all this. Judging because of a leash, sure thats not a surprise but DS is insanely independent. He has to be half asleep or sick for me to get a decent hug. He hates his stroller, if its not moving there is a time limit of about 1 minute before he starts flipping out (yayyy more judging). He wants to explore which isnt an option because its an inconvenience to everyone else.

I wish people were more understanding but nope. So there we are in our 20 x15 foot space. I'm glad he goes to daycare so he can at least spaz out there.

Your DS and my DD sound a lot alike, actually. She also hates when the she's her carseat and we are stopped in traffic or at a light.

Yes 100%. I live in a DC suburb (high traffic). You should see the crazy routes home hat I have to take to avoid a massive headache. Lack of movement is apparently not an option to DS.

ASmallWonder · January 2014

mbenit4 said:

elmoali said:

mbenit4 said:

I would not. I have not. I judge the people who still can't keep up with their kid and the leash gets in my way.
I'm not sure why you think "keeping up" is the issue. Unless you've bound your hand to theirs, the possibility always exists that they use their freakish toddler strength to rip their hand from yours and run off. In a crowd a little person can get a lot further a lot faster than an adult giving chase. And in the case of having two kids? Yeah, sometimes you need both hands free to do something for the baby and need to know the kid is somehow attached to you since you can't hold them, keep eyes on them and change a diaper at the same time.

If they are that strong and doing all of that pulling then maybe a leash is not right for you.

I would just like to be able to shop or whatever without a leash getting wrapped around me. I don't think that is too much to ask?

Hey, I'm not arguing that kids shouldn't be tripping people with their leashes and shit. But a kid doesn't have to be "a puller" to pull once at the least opportune time (like when your hands are occupied with something else while in the middle of a place that would swallow them in an instant due to the crowd, kwim?)

ASmallWonder · January 2014

CurlyQ284 said:

I rarely leave my house because of all this. Judging because of a leash, sure thats not a surprise but DS is insanely independent. He has to be half asleep or sick for me to get a decent hug. He hates his stroller, if its not moving there is a time limit of about 1 minute before he starts flipping out (yayyy more judging). He wants to explore which isnt an option because its an inconvenience to everyone else. I wish people were more understanding but nope. So there we are in our 20 x15 foot space. I'm glad he goes to daycare so he can at least spaz out there.

I hope you don't literally mean that you rarely leave your house because some people might judge you. Being judged is unfortunately a part of life and as long as you know that you're actively parenting your kid and don't the best you can, hold your head high and know that life sometimes gets rough. I genuinely never side eye or judge a parent unless I get the distinct impression they don't give a fuck (and I don't mean ignoring a kid that won't stop screaming no matter what - I mean like, being glued to the phone at the park while your kid beats up other kids, kwim?)

CurlyQ284 · January 2014

@larkin220 and @elmoali, not many people here judged but it would be bad in public and I'm not a very confident person in my parenting. Its not just the leash, DS is a handful. DH decided it would be awesome to go to a restaurant.That involves waiting an eternity for wait staff (not really an eternity but when DS hates sitting still for 30 seconds OMG lady get back here!). He was pissy and yelling the whole time, threw crackers everywhere. I just wanted to GTFO. I haven't taken him to a restaurant since then.

I take him to the baby gym on weekends sometimes so he can run around in a padded area wreaking all the havoc he wants but I seriously can't handle much else. He wants to touch only things that might kill him, even going to my mom's house is a huge hassle because there's just shit everywhere for him to swallow. If I say "no" he thinks its funny and he amps it up x100. I tried making him fit into my "regular" life and it made me a stressed out basket case trying to manage all the tantrums and keep him from inconveniencing people or killing himself somehow.

My living room/daycare/baby gym or an environment where he is belted in (grocery store cart, stroller etc) have brought down my anxiety a ton.

jackson290721 · January 2014

I judged leashes. Then I took my brother to the zoo when I was pregnant (he's four) holy crap I wish I had a leash, what a fucking stressful work out. Use the leash, fuck the judgers.

TiffanyBerry · January 2014

I'm not a fan. I think they are a shortcut to teaching your kid how to behave properly and paying enough attention to your kid to enforce proper behavior. But, let's be honest, some kids are easier to teach than others. And if you've got one of those, and you're in the process of teaching, and using the leash with that in mind, then I will do my best to remind myself to not side-eye you, because you wouldn't deserve the side-eye.

But in the end, who the **** cares about my opinion on raising kids other than my husband?

BluepointToasted · January 2014

I'm bringing on on vacation. Ds is a new walker, who doesn't exactly always listen to me saying stop, and we are going to be in Paris and London, so lots of traffic .

I don't own one yet, but every one I have seen has been way too short to clothesline anyone or wrap around anyone's legs

ASmallWonder · January 2014

TiffanyBerry said:

I'm not a fan. I think they are a shortcut to teaching your kid how to behave properly and paying enough attention to your kid to enforce proper behavior. But, let's be honest, some kids are easier to teach than others. And if you've got one of those, and you're in the process of teaching, and using the leash with that in mind, then I will do my best to remind myself to not side-eye you, because you wouldn't deserve the side-eye.

But in the end, who the **** cares about my opinion on raising kids other than my husband?

See, I think this is where the disconnect is. A shortcut to teaching them to behave properly? No. A means to keep them safe and alive until they master it. By your logic we shouldn't take any safety precautions for anything because, duh, we should just learn it right off the bat. Safety scissors? Knee pads? Baby gates? The list goes on and on of things we use as a tool DURING the learning process.

ShakeyJakey · January 2014

TiffanyBerry said:
I'm not a fan. I think they are a shortcut to teaching your kid how to behave properly and paying enough attention to your kid to enforce proper behavior. But, let's be honest, some kids are easier to teach than others. And if you've got one of those, and you're in the process of teaching, and using the leash with that in mind, then I will do my best to remind myself to not side-eye you, because you wouldn't deserve the side-eye.

But in the end, who the **** cares about my opinion on raising kids other than my husband?

How do you know if it's a hard kid to teach or a lazy parent worthy of a side eye?

colliebabe · January 2014

I agree with @elmoali. People who judge stuff like leashes (which has no bearing on them what-so-ever) have too much time on their hands.

Also, what is the difference between parents who strap their kid in a stroller so they don't have to pay attention to them and parents who use a leash to do the same? Kids could pull things off shelves/cause a ruckus in their strollers too. And as for getting in the way, a stroller would be even worse.

Yet no one says "I judge parents who use strollers as means to confine their child." (Don't worry, I am a leash-user and a stroller-user, and dont judge either one.The leash judging for those reasons just doesn't make sense to me.)

SpaceGirlSpiff · January 2014

.

mbenit4 said:

colliebabe said:

Also, what is the difference between parents who strap their kid in a stroller so they don't have to pay attention to them and parents who use a leash to do the same?
Who knew this is why people use strollers? Wow.

I dont think she was saying that's why SHE believes people use strollers... pretty sure she was just trying to make the point that the same COULD be said about strollers...but it isnt.

No one side eyes strollers, but they both serve the same function...and could be described in this way by a judgymcjudgerson

aglenn · January 2014

Hardcore babywearers side eye strollers.

I am in favor of using whatever resources you can find that help you keep your sanity when out and about with little kids. Yep, we own a leash.

Want a personalized experience?

Toddler Leash

Re: Toddler Leash

Harry Styles = Life Ruiner

There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
Then there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time
Without you I'll never make it out alive
But I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

J. 1.14.13 my reason for breathing

Harry Styles = Life Ruiner

There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
Then there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time
Without you I'll never make it out alive
But I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

J. 1.14.13 my reason for breathing

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Want a personalized experience?

Toddler Leash

Re: Toddler Leash

Harry Styles = Life Ruiner

There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't denyThen there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of timeWithout you I'll never make it out aliveBut I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

J. 1.14.13 my reason for breathing

Harry Styles = Life Ruiner

There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't denyThen there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of timeWithout you I'll never make it out aliveBut I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

J. 1.14.13 my reason for breathing

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
Then there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time
Without you I'll never make it out alive
But I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright

There’s a lightning in your eyes I can't deny
Then there’s me inside a sinking boat running out of time
Without you I'll never make it out alive
But I know, yes, I know we’ll be alright