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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Kids on a leash
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Anonymous
I refer you to the earlier article on the paralyzed surfer who as a young toddler escaped from his mom's hand in a parking lot and was promptly run over. Not that this particular situation is likely to happen, but if, as a parent, I know I'll be in an iffy situation (hands full, toddler who wants to run), I will certainly use a leash. Going to a crowded street fair and kid wants to walk rather than be in a stroller? Leash. Airport by myself with multiple kids? Guess what, leash again. |
Anonymous
| I'm a mom of 22-month-old twins who love their monkey harness backpacks. We are working very hard on hand-holding, but the backpacks provide an extra measure of security. We don't use them if my husband is with us, but when I'm working the zone defense, they can be helpful in certain situations. |
Anonymous
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I would be really interested to know how many of the antagonistic to leashing posts are from the same person, someone is clearly enjoying getting a rise out of everyone.
I am a mom of two runners that has never used a leash but I have experienced moments of extreme stress catching my children as they are running for the road and that article really gave me pause (my youngest is currently 23 months). Any parent who does not understand that a leash/monkey backpack/whatever is a safety device in certain circumstances does not understand the challenges of parenting a 18 month to 2 1/2 year old runner. Some of us can keep control of such a child with constant vigilance and be comfortable, but no one with a child like this would begrudge a parent such a safety device nor question why someone might reasonably find it necessary. On the other hand, if I saw a 4 or 5 year old wearing one, I would likely first think it was inappropriate but then reflect that I do not know all the facts, it could be a weird family dynamic (e.g., crazy overprotective mom), developmental issues for the child, consequences for a safety transgression, or something of which I know nothing and I like to think that I would not judge. These statements have nothing to do with the crazy lady on the video dragging her child, but I can empathize with the frustration she was obviously experiencing. Many of us have better coping skills and we should feel grateful for that. |
Anonymous
"Shoulder straps are padded for added comfort Kid Keeper strap adjusts in length up to 42" Machine washable" almost 4ft... "Attached tether extends 45" in length" hm.. here is a longer one "Tether is approximately 4-feet long" and another one... what about the deluxe version? "tether strap can be used alone by being buckled directly to child's wrist" wow, so safe! can't imagine the damage of a child pulling on it. I can almost picture the kiddo going towards the cliff while mom watches the "great falls" and she suddenly pulls on this thing strapped to the child's wrist!!!! what's next? strap it to their necks? get a mouth guard so they won't cry in public? |
Anonymous
Imagine twins age 2 (well behaved but typical) on an outing with a single parent. Anytime the parent has to use one hand for something other than kiddie control, a child is let go. Whoo boy. Give me the 'leash' (in certain situations)! 
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Anonymous
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"Shoulder straps are padded for added comfort
Kid Keeper strap adjusts in length up to 42" Machine washable" almost 4ft... "Attached tether extends 45" in length" hm.. here is a longer one "Tether is approximately 4-feet long" and another one... what about the deluxe version? "tether strap can be used alone by being buckled directly to child's wrist" wow, so safe! can't imagine the damage of a child pulling on it. I can almost picture the kiddo going towards the cliff while mom watches the "great falls" and she suddenly pulls on this thing strapped to the child's wrist!!!! what's next? strap it to their necks? get a mouth guard so they won't cry in public? Oh yes, the situation that you are talking about is oh so realistic. I'm sure all of us would rely on a teddy bear backpack with a tether to keep our child safe while dangling them over the edge at the Grand Canyon. So realistic of you. Yes, you aren't being a total and complete idiot with the scenario that you are providing. You are soooooo STUPID!!!! And as a PP has stated, you do know that 42" is not far away right? Does your child only venture 40"'s from you max...ever? So when you're at the playground with your child do you keep a yardstick between your child and yourself at all times? You do realize simply because you are providing yourself with a plan B or C for safety it doesn't mean you no longer closely watch your child. Oh I'm sorry, you don't realize that because you are STUPID!! |
Anonymous
Oh yes, the situation that you are talking about is oh so realistic. I'm sure all of us would rely on a teddy bear backpack with a tether to keep our child safe while dangling them over the edge at the Grand Canyon. So realistic of you. Yes, you aren't being a total and complete idiot with the scenario that you are providing. You are soooooo STUPID!!!! And as a PP has stated, you do know that 42" is not far away right? Does your child only venture 40"'s from you max...ever? So when you're at the playground with your child do you keep a yardstick between your child and yourself at all times? You do realize simply because you are providing yourself with a plan B or C for safety it doesn't mean you no longer closely watch your child. Oh I'm sorry, you don't realize that because you are STUPID!! So sorry previous PP. I am the Great Falls poster and I should have specified it's the canal path we walk on. If you have ever been there you know there is a huge drop off on one side and also at points along the canal itself there is a drop down. My VERY active, FAST, STRONG toddler is a bolter. I am not going to worry about him slipping into the canal because he sees a turtle or bird he wants to chase. Toddlers are not known for their impulse control or their ability to control their bodies that well. We live near the path so we take my newborn twins for walks. When I have all three kids and no one else with me I am not afraid to leash the 2 year old while I push the stroller. Mock me all you want but my children get out, get fresh air, see some beautiful scenery, wildlife and get exercise. If you find that I am being a bad parent because I chose to eliminate a possible danger then so be it. My child can take it up with his therapist when he is older. |
Anonymous
Oh yes, the situation that you are talking about is oh so realistic. I'm sure all of us would rely on a teddy bear backpack with a tether to keep our child safe while dangling them over the edge at the Grand Canyon. So realistic of you. Yes, you aren't being a total and complete idiot with the scenario that you are providing. You are soooooo STUPID!!!! And as a PP has stated, you do know that 42" is not far away right? Does your child only venture 40"'s from you max...ever? So when you're at the playground with your child do you keep a yardstick between your child and yourself at all times? You do realize simply because you are providing yourself with a plan B or C for safety it doesn't mean you no longer closely watch your child. Oh I'm sorry, you don't realize that because you are STUPID!! So sorry previous PP. I am the Great Falls poster and I should have specified it's the canal path we walk on. If you have ever been there you know there is a huge drop off on one side and also at points along the canal itself there is a drop down. My VERY active, FAST, STRONG toddler is a bolter. I am not going to worry about him slipping into the canal because he sees a turtle or bird he wants to chase. Toddlers are not known for their impulse control or their ability to control their bodies that well. We live near the path so we take my newborn twins for walks. When I have all three kids and no one else with me I am not afraid to leash the 2 year old while I push the stroller. Mock me all you want but my children get out, get fresh air, see some beautiful scenery, wildlife and get exercise. If you find that I am being a bad parent because I chose to eliminate a possible danger then so be it. My child can take it up with his therapist when he is older. Kids get hit by cars every day. Accidents happen. We as parents know *OUR* kids best. If we feel they are safer on a backpack leash then we probably know what we are talking about. |
Anonymous
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Lots of people use leashes, they are not that bad if you use them for safety, not for laziness.
http://www.stylelushblog.com/2010/05/toddler-leashes.html |
Anonymous
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NP here. I have used a backpack style leash on occasion when my older child was a toddler. he was a runner, and it simply was helpful, I used it occasionally, like at the airport. Before I had kids, I would not have thought I would use one.
I do think this really ought to be a "judge not" parenting issue. I think it is interesting, that there is generally not a stigma to putting a toddler in a stroller, which restrains the kid much more. (although I'm sure some eschew both restraining options). But the leash is viewed SO negatively, even though it has the upside of letting the kid walk around, compared to stroller. I get that many are saying that holding a hand is best. but for some situations that is not going to be enough, at least for some people. |
Anonymous
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Am I not the only one who has my child on a leash, but still holds his hand? Yes he enjoys running around wal-mart while I hold onto his 'tail', but that's when he's been given a green light to run around. Otherwise, I have the leash around my wrist while I'm holding his hand so if he bolts, I have some mechanism of helping to avoid collisions with shopping carts, destruction, etc. BTW if he wants to bolt and I am able, I will run with him. But you can't always do that if you have a big ole' shopping cart and the store is busy.
For the first few weeks at daycare when I was bringing him and his infant brother, I wore him in my ergo since I had a bad foot and couldn't take off after him if he bolted. Only now, 3 months later, is he finally getting the point to stand on the sidewalk and not walk into the parking lot unless I'm holding his hand. Yes kids should learn their lesson, but it takes TIME. I envy people with kids who 'got it' from the very beginning - there are some. Maybe those are the people who don't understand? Who have never had to ask for the check and take-out container as soon as the entree was delivered, since the toddler was not in the mood to sit and eat or play quietly? They say that dogs have the intelligence of a 2-year-old. So does that mean they shouldn't be on leashes either? |
Anonymous
I used to be very judgmental about kids on "leashes." That was before I had children. Now, I have very busy twin toddlers who are learning to stay with Mommy/Daddy, follow directions, and hold hands while walking. It's a work in progress, though. We've got the animal backpack "harness buddies," and our guys LOVE them. They treat them like stuffed animals, and even ask to wear them in the house sometimes. I'm fairly certain they will not turn out to be ax murderers because of this. |
Anonymous
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A must read: Free-Range Kids.
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Anonymous
I take it you don't have twins? |
Anonymous
Or a child with sensory issues who cannot sit still and loves to run. |