Backpack leashes for toddlers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just remember the mom at storytime who would bring her son on a backpack leash and sit down in the circle. Then he would get up to run and play with the other kids and get to the end of his leash and fall and his mother would remain sitting and drag him back to her. Then he would get me and do it again. Over and over. For 30 minutes. I just stared at her in horror.

This doesn't mean using a leash makes you a bad parent. Just that this bad parent choose to use one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're a lazy parent.

How is this lazier than a stroller or a carrier? The positive difference being the child can WALK and actually get some exercise.

Wow, you really don't get it. I'm guessing you have a collection of toddler leashes.

The parent is lazy because parenting a child by teaching them to hold your hand and not dart in front of traffic actually takes some effort.

Please explain how using a stroller to contain a child who runs is less lazy than a back pack with a lease on it. Would you be ok if OP put her toddler in a stroller to keep him from running in a parking lot? I'd love to hear the difference.

And yes, this can go hand in hand with teaching them to hold your hand. But anyone who claims you "just tell them to hold your hand" has forgotten was age 1-2.5 is like.

Yes, a stroller or carrier is preferential to putting a child on a leash. Is this really even a question for you?

I haven't forgotten, I have two that are 3 and 1. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

So all you “lazy parent” posters, how do you feel about baby gates, cabinet locks, and child proof lids? I mean, if you’re watching your child, none of these should be necessary, right? You just tell your child once and they shouldn’t do it anymore?

Also assuming you don’t use sippy cups, training wheels, and the like because the grandparents didn’t have them either, and you have 100% attention to pay to your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're a lazy parent.

How is this lazier than a stroller or a carrier? The positive difference being the child can WALK and actually get some exercise.

Wow, you really don't get it. I'm guessing you have a collection of toddler leashes.

The parent is lazy because parenting a child by teaching them to hold your hand and not dart in front of traffic actually takes some effort.

Please explain how using a stroller to contain a child who runs is less lazy than a back pack with a lease on it. Would you be ok if OP put her toddler in a stroller to keep him from running in a parking lot? I'd love to hear the difference.

And yes, this can go hand in hand with teaching them to hold your hand. But anyone who claims you "just tell them to hold your hand" has forgotten was age 1-2.5 is like.

Yes, a stroller or carrier is preferential to putting a child on a leash. Is this really even a question for you?

I haven't forgotten, I have two that are 3 and 1. Thanks.

But why? Because you say so? Why is it preferential to have a child immobilized in a stroller, vs. Able to use their own feet, but with restrictions on distance away from the parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're a lazy parent.

How is this lazier than a stroller or a carrier? The positive difference being the child can WALK and actually get some exercise.

Wow, you really don't get it. I'm guessing you have a collection of toddler leashes.

The parent is lazy because parenting a child by teaching them to hold your hand and not dart in front of traffic actually takes some effort.

NP but I don't think you get it. Some children will run away at any time the have a second of freedom or feel your hand lessen its death grip. Airport security flagged our carry on and when I slid it over to them he took off in a second. Just one example.

No, you don't get it. By placing a runner child on a leash you avoid teaching them anything. Practically everyone that has children has had them dart away. Do you think you're unique in this? So, you chose to put your child on a leash and wait it out until their natural inclination to run away and explore has subsided. That's one way, I suppose. Not in my family, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're a lazy parent.

How is this lazier than a stroller or a carrier? The positive difference being the child can WALK and actually get some exercise.

Wow, you really don't get it. I'm guessing you have a collection of toddler leashes.

The parent is lazy because parenting a child by teaching them to hold your hand and not dart in front of traffic actually takes some effort.

Please explain how using a stroller to contain a child who runs is less lazy than a back pack with a lease on it. Would you be ok if OP put her toddler in a stroller to keep him from running in a parking lot? I'd love to hear the difference.

And yes, this can go hand in hand with teaching them to hold your hand. But anyone who claims you "just tell them to hold your hand" has forgotten was age 1-2.5 is like.

Yes, a stroller or carrier is preferential to putting a child on a leash. Is this really even a question for you?

I haven't forgotten, I have two that are 3 and 1. Thanks.

Do you use a baby gate at the stairs? You are so lazy, teach your child not to fall down. Do you use a crib? You are so lazy, teach your child to stay in bed. Do you use outlet covers? So lazy, teach them not to touch the outlets and watch them every second! Jeez you are SO LAZY!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're a lazy parent.

How is this lazier than a stroller or a carrier? The positive difference being the child can WALK and actually get some exercise.

Wow, you really don't get it. I'm guessing you have a collection of toddler leashes.

The parent is lazy because parenting a child by teaching them to hold your hand and not dart in front of traffic actually takes some effort.

NP but I don't think you get it. Some children will run away at any time the have a second of freedom or feel your hand lessen its death grip. Airport security flagged our carry on and when I slid it over to them he took off in a second. Just one example.

No, you don't get it. By placing a runner child on a leash you avoid teaching them anything. Practically everyone that has children has had them dart away. Do you think you're unique in this? So, you chose to put your child on a leash and wait it out until their natural inclination to run away and explore has subsided. That's one way, I suppose. Not in my family, though.

I used to think the same way too until my second. Never used one on my first because it wouldn't teach him anything. However, with my second I saw that he could kill himself while I was trying to teach him. I am the one that recommended the wrist strap, not the backpack leashes because with the wrist strap is a. Backup for hand holding. And, obviously I am not unique and many parents are in the same boat or they wouldn't make and sell so many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So all you “lazy parent” posters, how do you feel about baby gates, cabinet locks, and child proof lids? I mean, if you’re watching your child, none of these should be necessary, right? You just tell your child once and they shouldn’t do it anymore?

Also assuming you don’t use sippy cups, training wheels, and the like because the grandparents didn’t have them either, and you have 100% attention to pay to your child.

Actually, that's true for me. The only thing I've used on your list is baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs. It has nothing to do with my grandparents, I'm not sure where you're going with that.

I allowed my children to play in cabinets they could reach. I'm not sure what a child proof lid is, but anything dangerous like cleaning supplies or medication are kept in locked cabinets and out of reach. I never used sippy cups, we taught our children to use cups from a very young age. It's just water, wasn't a problem when they didn't get it. We went from balance bike to standard bike, no problem. I never thought of it that way but thanks for proving that you can be a responsible parent without relying on a litany of child safety products luring you into a false sense of security.

What do you do when you leave your house? Do you pack up all of those items and bring them with you wherever you go? Do you have any friends to visit? What do you do at their houses without all of your safety items? Do you ever travel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So all you “lazy parent” posters, how do you feel about baby gates, cabinet locks, and child proof lids? I mean, if you’re watching your child, none of these should be necessary, right? You just tell your child once and they shouldn’t do it anymore?

Also assuming you don’t use sippy cups, training wheels, and the like because the grandparents didn’t have them either, and you have 100% attention to pay to your child.

Actually, that's true for me. The only thing I've used on your list is baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs. It has nothing to do with my grandparents, I'm not sure where you're going with that.

I allowed my children to play in cabinets they could reach. I'm not sure what a child proof lid is, but anything dangerous like cleaning supplies or medication are kept in locked cabinets and out of reach. I never used sippy cups, we taught our children to use cups from a very young age. It's just water, wasn't a problem when they didn't get it. We went from balance bike to standard bike, no problem. I never thought of it that way but thanks for proving that you can be a responsible parent without relying on a litany of child safety products luring you into a false sense of security.

What do you do when you leave your house? Do you pack up all of those items and bring them with you wherever you go? Do you have any friends to visit? What do you do at their houses without all of your safety items? Do you ever travel?

Obviously you do use special products.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So all you “lazy parent” posters, how do you feel about baby gates, cabinet locks, and child proof lids? I mean, if you’re watching your child, none of these should be necessary, right? You just tell your child once and they shouldn’t do it anymore?

Also assuming you don’t use sippy cups, training wheels, and the like because the grandparents didn’t have them either, and you have 100% attention to pay to your child.

Actually, that's true for me. The only thing I've used on your list is baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs. It has nothing to do with my grandparents, I'm not sure where you're going with that.

I allowed my children to play in cabinets they could reach. I'm not sure what a child proof lid is, but anything dangerous like cleaning supplies or medication are kept in locked cabinets and out of reach. I never used sippy cups, we taught our children to use cups from a very young age. It's just water, wasn't a problem when they didn't get it. We went from balance bike to standard bike, no problem. I never thought of it that way but thanks for proving that you can be a responsible parent without relying on a litany of child safety products luring you into a false sense of security.

What do you do when you leave your house? Do you pack up all of those items and bring them with you wherever you go? Do you have any friends to visit? What do you do at their houses without all of your safety items? Do you ever travel?

Obviously you do use special products.

Obviously you didn't answer any of my questions.

[Anonymous]

I'd think you have a runner and are making sounds choices for your child's safety.

By the way, my daughter, who was a crazy runner at age 2, was diagnosed with hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD at age 6. Per the psychologist this can be an early warning sign.

[Anonymous]

Normally we don’t need one, but we’re going to London and Rome next month. She’ll be 23 months and we plan to use a backpack leash for when she doesn’t want to be in the stroller or we're in areas where the stroller isn’t feasible (aka the tube or some of the ruins in Rome).

I’m all for teaching kids to not run—and she normally holds our hand well—but on busy streets in an unfamiliar place, we’re not taking any chances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're a lazy parent.

How is this lazier than a stroller or a carrier? The positive difference being the child can WALK and actually get some exercise.

Wow, you really don't get it. I'm guessing you have a collection of toddler leashes.

The parent is lazy because parenting a child by teaching them to hold your hand and not dart in front of traffic actually takes some effort.

NP but I don't think you get it. Some children will run away at any time the have a second of freedom or feel your hand lessen its death grip. Airport security flagged our carry on and when I slid it over to them he took off in a second. Just one example.

No, you don't get it. By placing a runner child on a leash you avoid teaching them anything. Practically everyone that has children has had them dart away. Do you think you're unique in this? So, you chose to put your child on a leash and wait it out until their natural inclination to run away and explore has subsided. That's one way, I suppose. Not in my family, though.

DP. Obviously you only deal in black and white situations. Some of us do exactly what you suggest in most normal situations and then augment that in different circumstances, like traveling in the airport with carry on luggage and more than one child, going to an amusement park or mall where there are large crowds of people and a fast moving child can get lost in the crowd in seconds. Despite your condescension, the teaching process to teach children not to dart away takes time and teaching them on a day-to-day basis, but using the backpack leash in special circumstances when you may have your focus and attention divided is a very valid and reasonable precaution.

I'm amazed that you can see your children to teach them anything with your nose pointed to Heaven all the time.

[Anonymous]

I think that you are either lazy or not assertive enough with your child. I also don't like seeing kids old enough to walk well placed in strollers for just cause or because its a "long" walk. A good friend of mine used a leash on her son because he often ran off. I never said anything to her about it, but I seriously thought that she was being a lazy parent because the same kid would not sit for more than few minutes during lunch/dinner (she would let him run around the house and shovel in food as he ran by) and constantly climbed on the furniture like an animal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're a lazy parent.

+1000

Can you imagine our grandparents using a leash?

Perhaps our grandparents didn't, but our great-great-etc.'s did...ever heard of "leading strings"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leading_strings
"Leading strings served two functions: reducing bumps and bruises in children who are just learning to walk, and restraining young children who might injure themselves by walking or running into unsafe places."

This is where the phrase "loosen the apron strings" i.e., give your kids more independence comes from.

I think a leash/harness/leading string/whatever is a perfectly fine safety tool to use while you are teaching your child to walk safely with you. And, will probably get you there more quickly than just strapping him into a stroller. Both stroller and leash are child restraints, one is just a sitting restraint and one is a walking restraint. I don't get why people feel so passionately negative about them.

I got one for DS when he was a toddler and I also had a newborn but unfortunately it didn't work for us -- he hated it and would just sit and not move when I put it on. So, I was stuck with using the double stroller more than I would like.