We haven't needed to use one, well at least not with DS (DD may end up being a different story). However, I've seen people in public who literally let go of their kid's hand for a second and they take off. If I had a kid who was a runner then I would certainly consider it. People can be really judgmental about these things but if that's the best way to keep your kid safe I say do what's best. I don't really feel like it's fair to compare it to a dog leash. It's not as if it's around the neck. Plus, how are they really all that different from a car seat or stroller harness? If it's the safest option for your child then go for it.
Yeah, @Nicb13 called it a leash, because that's what it is. If you find that comment offensive/judgmental, that's on you...she's just calling it like it is.
agreed.
DD has one that I used when we traveled. I haven't felt the need to use it since we've been home. Mostly we got it for Disney, and it was a great decision. DD loved wearing it- she's at the age that she doesn't want to be held at all so it was very useful waiting in lines where she's small enough to duck through the queue. I also used it at the airport when I flew alone with her, I wanted to let her run off some energy before the flight, but couldn't leave our stuff unattended.
We haven't needed to use one, well at least not with DS (DD may end up being a different story). However, I've seen people in public who literally let go of their kid's hand for a second and they take off. If I had a kid who was a runner then I would certainly consider it. People can be really judgmental about these things but if that's the best way to keep your kid safe I say do what's best. I don't really feel like it's fair to compare it to a dog leash. It's not as if it's around the neck. Plus, how are they really all that different from a car seat or stroller harness? If it's the safest option for your child then go for it.
So if I only hook up my dog's leash to a harness, it's not a leash anymore?
This. The harness is the part that goes around the body whether it's a toddler or a dog. The leash is the piece of fabric that connects to the harness that you hold. What goes around a dog's neck is a collar. These backpack/harness things are a harness, a backpack, AND a leash. Doesn't mean you can't use one. Just means that's what they are.
We used a backpack leash for DD. She wasn't a runner, but hated hand-holding. We particularly used it when we went to busy places like the fair, petting zoo, etc. She loved it because it enabled her to walk and gave her freedom (within a set of boundaries). We loved it for the same reasons and it gave me a sense of security. We haven't used it with DS yet.
When we were at the store or day-to-day places, we didn't break it out because we used carts or strollers. Sometimes she hated the cart and wanted to get down, but I didn't trust her to walk by my side and not rip things off the shelf, so in the cart she went. Yes, sometimes I had to force her, but that's what makes me the mom. That's not cruel; that's life. Now I force DS to sit in the cart too.
We called it a backpack leash, but I have found that often when people specify that it's a leash, they mean it in the pejorative sense, so I can understand why the initial reaction @nicb13's comment would be to take it that way--at least until she explained that that's now how she meant it.
We haven't needed to use one, well at least not with DS (DD may end up being a different story). However, I've seen people in public who literally let go of their kid's hand for a second and they take off. If I had a kid who was a runner then I would certainly consider it. People can be really judgmental about these things but if that's the best way to keep your kid safe I say do what's best. I don't really feel like it's fair to compare it to a dog leash. It's not as if it's around the neck. Plus, how are they really all that different from a car seat or stroller harness? If it's the safest option for your child then go for it.
So if I only hook up my dog's leash to a harness, it's not a leash anymore?
I think it's less the technical comparison and more how some people say it. I would say more often then not, if I've heard people refer to it "leash" is said negatively. Like I said, I don't really care either way. But comparing someone's kid to a dog may be crossing the line a bit. You may not mean it in a rude way, but I could see how it could bother someone.
I used to hate the idea of using one bc I didn't wanna put my child on a leash but DS is so adventurous and wants to walk but gets annoyed having to hold someone's hand so I finally broke down and got one. He seems to like it. He has more freedom but I feel better because I know he can't run off. It doesn't work well in places like the grocery store because he can still get to the shelves and pull things down but for the zoo, I think it could work very well.
Ok so we tried the Brica backpack leash (I am ok with the L word). DD likes wearing the backpack but hates being on a leash. She preferred holding my hand or being carried. She also now hates the Ergo. Total bummer. In the airport going home she will ride in her GoGo kidz car seat thing. Now that was a wise investment.
Re: Toddler backpack/harness
We used a backpack leash for DD. She wasn't a runner, but hated hand-holding. We particularly used it when we went to busy places like the fair, petting zoo, etc. She loved it because it enabled her to walk and gave her freedom (within a set of boundaries). We loved it for the same reasons and it gave me a sense of security. We haven't used it with DS yet.
When we were at the store or day-to-day places, we didn't break it out because we used carts or strollers. Sometimes she hated the cart and wanted to get down, but I didn't trust her to walk by my side and not rip things off the shelf, so in the cart she went. Yes, sometimes I had to force her, but that's what makes me the mom. That's not cruel; that's life. Now I force DS to sit in the cart too.
We called it a backpack leash, but I have found that often when people specify that it's a leash, they mean it in the pejorative sense, so I can understand why the initial reaction @nicb13's comment would be to take it that way--at least until she explained that that's now how she meant it.