When my twins were 13 months old I brought them into the bathroom with me in an airport. While I was managing the one who unrolled toilet paper (and simultaneously trying to pee), the other one slipped under the wall INTO THE ADJACENT--
AND OCCUPIED--STALL.

I really wished they had leashes so I could have at lease pulled the runner back in. As it was, I had to stand at the door of a stranger's stall, calling for daughter who had no intention of coming out.

I love them! They're cute and convenient, and honestly I am too tall for holding a kid's hand to be comfortable for either of us. My parents put me on a leash attached to a harness, which had no pockets for snacks.

My ds was not generally a runner, but I used one when I had to take him to my sister's graduation in a city, where we used public transit. I was hugely pregnant - if he bolted I had no hope of catching him. He thought the leash was very cool, and it worked well. I think they're great, and I think a parent using one is smart and proactive.

That not enough parents use them who should.

we have a runner and we use it the airport or at outdoor festivals, carnivals. etc. She's almost 2. I think it's a safe solution.

You do what you gotta do to keep your kid safe.

Anonymous wrote:OP again-

2 kids, oldest is a runner! Thanks for your input, everyone. Just ordered him a dinosaur backpack leash.

Good for you. I had twins and the final straw was the day that we went to Toys-R-Us to get a birthday present for an upcoming birthday party. They were about 2 years old. They were holding my hands and we walked down an aisle. I happened to be looking down at the shelves so I saw them very definitely eye each other and a second later, they both yanked their hands out of mine and immediately bolted in opposite directions. I ran one way, grabbed one, tucked him under my arm like a football turn and sprinted in the other direction to catch up to the other to grab him. The two were giggling like we had just had the best time in the world. When I caught up to him, I put them down with one hand firmly holding each and I knelt down next to them. I was about to say something when I looked up the aisle. There were about a half-dozen parents standing on the aisle looking back and me, very clearly trying unsuccessfully to avoid laughing loudly at me, eyes asparkling. I had to admit it was funny, but since they were just as likely to try the same thing in a parking lot or when I had other things to carry, I decided then and there that we would be using backpack leashes.

We got ones that looked like stuffed animals (one a lion and one a dog) and had backpack straps. When needed, they put on the backpack and I put on the leash. They could wear them like backpacks without the leash (the leash unclipped and went into a small pocket) or the harness straps could be pulled up so they were snug against the pack and they carried them around like a stuffed animal.

Worked great. I only needed them for less than a year but it was invaluable during that 10 month or so span.

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe in them. Children are not dogs. I had runners, and it just meant that I ran. I was always ready to run in two different directions. They grew out of it.

How are you "always ready to run in 2 directions"? I'd love to know how you chose which child to chase when they were both headed towards danger. I hope you never picked them up to carry them! Because that's so lazy. They should be holding your hand, if you were a good parent.

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe in them. Children are not dogs. I had runners, and it just meant that I ran. I was always ready to run in two different directions. They grew out of it.

Sure you did.

Anonymous wrote:OP again-

2 kids, oldest is a runner! Thanks for your input, everyone. Just ordered him a dinosaur backpack leash.

Good call OP.

I don't believe in them. Children are not dogs. I had runners, and it just meant that I ran. I was always ready to run in two different directions. They grew out of it.

Anonymous wrote:How many kids do you have? If only one child, I don't like them. Too dog on a leash to me. Get the child to hold your hand.

Agreed.

If you're the lone adult with 2 or more kids, I can understand. But what I mostly see is 1 child with 2 parents, a couple grandparents, several aunts and uncles, etc.--in other words, a 5 + to one adult to kid ratio. And NO ONE can hold the kid's hand?

Anonymous wrote:OP again-

2 kids, oldest is a runner! Thanks for your input, everyone. Just ordered him a dinosaur backpack leash.

I used to judge, but then I had kids and I know how hard it is to wrangle a toddler. My 2.5 year old usually stays wth me and I keep him in line by having him "help" push his little brother in the stroller. But who know what the future will bring? If the second kid is a runner, I would rather be safe than sorry.

OP again-

2 kids, oldest is a runner! Thanks for your input, everyone. Just ordered him a dinosaur backpack leash.