As long as you keep them out of the way of adults in an airport, I don't care what you use.

Love them. Can't understand at all why they would be controversial, so, I suspect it's another storm in a teacup, served by bored people.

OP go for it.

An experienced parent of 6 (!) pointed out to me that if you are in a situation where the child's hand must be held constantly (busy location, child is a runner, whatever), then the child is likely constantly walking with the arm up in the air. In that case, a harness is more comfortable for the child.

I'd MUCH rather see a child in a harness than one running out of control in a public/dangerous place.

The backpack leashes are a godsend for the young toddler set. My DS was SO WILD between 15 months - about 2.5. You could yell at him to hold your hand til you were blue in the face and he would always pull away. If you gripped his arm tight he would scream and cry. I used the stroller a lot, but he really did like to walk ... and by walk I mean run. In crowded places (the airport, busy rest stations, the mall when he got tired of the stroller) I had no problem using the backpack leash. Their understanding, ability to communicate, and impulse control at that age generally lags behind their physical ability. And starting at about 2.5 and definitely by 3, he understands standing still by the car in the parking lot while I lock up the car, holding hands and not running in the parking lot, staying on the sidewalk, etc. But that one year or so before that point is ROUGH.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was travelling alone with my toddler when i needed to use the bathroom.

As soon as I started to pee, he looked at me smiled, went under the door and started running and laughing.

I yelled at him,tried to stop peeing, pulled up my pants and took off after him.

I left my suitcase and purse in the stall.

Some guy caught him at near the ticket counters by the airport entrance.

We got a monkey backpack after that

My children never ran from me like you describe, that's true. I made being with me fun and interesting. I've traveled to meet my husband working overseas with two kids under 3, so I have had plenty of situations like you describe. I suppose it does take some finesse and you have to start early and be consistent, but it can be done. Certainly, a leash is easier if you're not willing to put in the effort.

I am a parent of teenagers.

You will have your moments to eat crow, and you will look back on your smugness with embarrassment.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was travelling alone with my toddler when i needed to use the bathroom.

As soon as I started to pee, he looked at me smiled, went under the door and started running and laughing.

I yelled at him,tried to stop peeing, pulled up my pants and took off after him.

I left my suitcase and purse in the stall.

Some guy caught him at near the ticket counters by the airport entrance.

We got a monkey backpack after that

My children never ran from me like you describe, that's true. I made being with me fun and interesting. I've traveled to meet my husband working overseas with two kids under 3, so I have had plenty of situations like you describe. I suppose it does take some finesse and you have to start early and be consistent, but it can be done. Certainly, a leash is easier if you're not willing to put in the effort.

My kid made being in that bathroom stall fun. He went for a run.

You are really, really insufferable and full of yourself.

Hopefully as your kids grow older and turn to teens, you will get some humility.

No one is a perfect parent with all the answers raising perfect kids.

Not even you.

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.

I was travelling alone with my toddler when i needed to use the bathroom.

As soon as I started to pee, he looked at me smiled, went under the door and started running and laughing.

I yelled at him,tried to stop peeing, pulled up my pants and took off after him.

I left my suitcase and purse in the stall.

Some guy caught him at near the ticket counters by the airport entrance.

We got a monkey backpack after that

My children never ran from me like you describe, that's true. I made being with me fun and interesting. I've traveled to meet my husband working overseas with two kids under 3, so I have had plenty of situations like you describe. I suppose it does take some finesse and you have to start early and be consistent, but it can be done. Certainly, a leash is easier if you're not willing to put in the effort.

Anonymous wrote: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.

Best if you avoid having friends with kids.

Anonymous wrote: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.

My kid who was a runner from the time he started walking until age 4 is also adhd (almost in middle school now).

My other kids were not runners snd are not adhd.

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.

That is fine.

Her kid will be a better teenager who knows limits while your kids will be the ones sneaking out to drink and meet boys.

It all evens out in the end.

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.

I was travelling alone with my toddler when i needed to use the bathroom.

As soon as I started to pee, he looked at me smiled, went under the door and started running and laughing.

I yelled at him,tried to stop peeing, pulled up my pants and took off after him.

I left my suitcase and purse in the stall.

Some guy caught him at near the ticket counters by the airport entrance.

We got a monkey backpack after that

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.

Never had a runner, huh?

Anonymous wrote:

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

+1000

Can you imagine our grandparents using a leash?

My grandma gave grandkids plastic grocery bags to entertain themselves.

My kids grandparents had 10 year olds babysit their infants and let the 12 year olds supervise all the kids with fireworks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I think there were okay in a situation where a parent is concerned about safety and is holding their hand, using it as a backup like in an airport. However, I dislike The parents who let the kids run around at the end of the leash like a dog at a park or something.

As opposed to those with their kids in strollers like they can’t walk?

No, as opposed to actually watching your child at a park or other place where children are expected to run and play. Instead of watching your phone or talking to your partner while your kids leash wrapped around my three-year-old!

That is not what anyone is talking about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I think there were okay in a situation where a parent is concerned about safety and is holding their hand, using it as a backup like in an airport. However, I dislike The parents who let the kids run around at the end of the leash like a dog at a park or something.

As opposed to those with their kids in strollers like they can’t walk?

No, as opposed to actually watching your child at a park or other place where children are expected to run and play. Instead of watching your phone or talking to your partner while your kids leash wrapped around my three-year-old!

You sound super confused about the logistics of how this might work. Do you think OP is talking about a 20 foot retractable dog leash?

If memory serves correctly, I believe the little puppy boy had the bear backpack leash.