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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Kids on a leash in public
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Anonymous
| My kid has not yet started to dart away from me . . . so I can't imagine what it is like. If it keeps them safe than who am I to say they shouldn't be used? |
Anonymous
| Just when I thought it was going to be a quiet and non-controversial day on DCUM....Thanks OP! |
Anonymous
| I have twins who are on the verge of walking. When I go somewhere busy/open with them and no other adult would you judge me for using harnesses? |
Anonymous
|
I have a bolter. The only reason I don't have a leash is that I've only got the one child, and I'm pretty quick. If she had a sibling, I'd either leash her up, or never let her out of the stroller.
I get the impression that for a lot of kids, it's not so much a control device as it is a reminder. A toddler doesn't have impulse control. A little tug as he starts to run off is a useful reminder of what mommy said about running. That's why those monkey backpacks work. It's not like a kid couldn't slip right out of one if she really wanted to get away. |
Anonymous
| Why don't we see nannies with kids on leashes? |
Anonymous
How about because the nanny's sole purpose while she is with the kids is to be with, watch and entertain the kids. Mothers, on the other hand, have to accomplish whatever needs to be done (grocery shopping, doctor appointments, errands, etc) while managing to keep the kids alive? |
Anonymous
Oh so nannies don't take kids to the doc, groceries and run errands? What an easy life your nanny has!!! I've seen plenty of nannies doing groceries, picking up dry cleaning, taking kids to the doc/dentist, going shopping with the children, etc... and they never had the child on a leash. What's their magic trick? |
Anonymous
If the nanny does all those things, sounds like the mom needs a leash to get her to spend some time with her kids. |
Anonymous
| DC1 was the sort of kid who was always by my side...very cautious and tentative. I never had to worry about him running off. DC2 was the opposite, and never wanted to be in her stroller. I nearly had a heart attack chasing her when we were at the zoo. I was really contemplating the leash when we were there. I think it's great for toddlers, especially in a crowd where your child could easily get lost. |
Anonymous
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I dont' think they should be used at all times, in all situations but we used a few different versions and it helped tremendously in crowded situations. I think the animal backpack kind are really useful. And my dd gets a kick out of seeing other children with theirs one. She understood she would be wearing a harness and did fine with them. And plus most parents don't use them forever, just in the 18 months to maybe 2 1/2 year old years.
Once you've lost a child I think you'd change your mind. I could care less about any nasty looks from people, most would stop me and say, it was such a great idea. |
Anonymous
Took the words right out of my mouth! Also, my baby album has a number of pics of me in my grungy harness-style leash...ha! As my mom says, she never lost me and I never got hit by a car. I don't find them offensive or weird in any way. |
Anonymous
| What's wrong with a leash? It's a brilliant idea for the hectic world we live in. I don't use one because my toddler is pretty mellow, but I would absolutely get one if she was prone to taking off in dangerous areas. Why risk disaster and who is it hurting? (I do agree that they should only be used in certain high risk situations - not for taking a walk). |
Anonymous
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I've never seen a kid on a leash who looked remotely relaxed.
My toddler was only free to roam when he was in the mood to listen. Otherwise, it was straight into the stroller. He learned pretty quickly. So yeah, there's a role for restraint. I just haven't seen too many examples of good parenting by those choosing leashes. I'm not judging all (too much), because there's often a back story. I am passing judgement on many. |
Anonymous
I don't think it has anything to do with kids being "bad" or "good" listeners. Until a certain age, they lack the impulse control to not bolt if they are the type of kids who are runners. I just traveled alone with my 22 month-old (bolter) and 4 year-old (non bolter) and used one on the 22 month-old in the airport. It is actually very cute- a little stuffed monkey back-pack that has a "tail" which is the leash. I got stopped by a LOT of people asking me where I got it and telling me how much it looked like I needed it- picture a 22 month-old running at top speed as I ran behind with a 30 pound carry-on, the stroller, and my 4 year-old 
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Anonymous
| Like spanking I think restraining the child is ABUSE. |