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Thoughts on toddler leashes?
I registered for 2 kid leashes (the cute backpack ones) and plan to use them with my boys. It was never an issue until DH freaked out and said it was like treating our kids like dogs, and people would think I did not know how to control them. I'm from Europe, where you see them all the time and my mum used them with my sister's and I.
I've only used them once so far, but that is because they are still a little small to walk for a long time, but I still intend on using them. I think it gives my boys a bit of freedom, while keeping them safe. I think they would rather be on a leash than strapped into their stroller.
I was doing a search for something else and came across a message board when people were going crazy over the leashes and attacking the women who say they use them. So now I am totally interested to see what you gals think?
Re: Thoughts on toddler leashes?
To each their own I think. I personally can't stand them. However my hubby thinks I will think differently once "His" kid gets bigger. He says that his parents would have loved to have had him on a leash back in the day because he was so wild.
So at the moment I don't like them. I feel like your hubby. But give me a few years, maybe I wont hate them so much. LOL
I'm with Jayme on this one. At first I thought they were a lazy parent tool but now I feel like they are a must for some parents. Isaac was very mellow and never required a reason to have one. Not the case for my nephew. He's a runner....and he darts off in a heartbeat. There was an incident where my nephew ran ahead of my Mom and almost got hit with a closing door. My Mom has severe back issues and couldn't get to him fast enough. It could have been disasterous! (though, it wasn't)
Now I feel completely different about them. I am almost considering buying one for my sister so that we never have to worry about him getting trampeled on while being a kid at disneyland!
i would never, ever consider this. ?ever. ?i'm with your husband - it looks like you're treating the kids like dogs. ?i understand the reasoning behind it, but ew.
i managed to raise the teen without having to use one of these things and not lose her anywhere. ?i won't subject the bean to it either, not even the ones that they try to disguise as a teddy bear backpack or something like that.?
My opinion is I dislike them. I'm not a parent yet, but everytime I see a parent with their child on one of these I think the same thoughts your DH does.
I can totally understand why you would want to. ?Having just one, I don't want one, but if I had 2, like you, I would probably use them places where I was going by myself. ?My mom had one for me, but she rarely used it, she felt the same way as your DH.
I am all for whatever keeps the little ones safe! ?As they get older and want to go in 2 different directions, maybe he will understand.?
I love the kid-leash! I absolutely plan to use one when Blair is bigger.
It drives me crazy when I'm at the supermarket, or Target, or even Disneyland, and small children are wandering around aimlessly, and you cannot determine what adult they belong to. Sure, half my gripe is with the parents -who ought to be controlling the kids better (anyone could just snatch those kids!).. But kids wander, even if you have an eye on them. I'd feel a thousand times better knowing that Blair couldn't wander far, and it would be a heck of a lot harder to kidnap her if I've got her leashed.
I never thought I would use one but it was a must have with Rhian. She was very independant and loved to explore and would dart off if she had just a second of opportunity. Holding hands isn't always easy and since dh and I are both so tall she would be walking with her hand up over her head to reach us and would complain about her arm falling asleep. We only needed to use it for about 6 months or so until she was old enough to learn that she needed to stay with us.
Personally, I am not fond of them. I think it is important to teach children about boundaries and I dont see how that will happen if they have a false sense of freedom.
That being said, I can see why some parents use them. There are just some children that really do need it. Not because their parents don't care or are lazy but because the child is careless. Right now, running is not an issue with Julian. However, you never know. So I can't say that I won't ever use one and I can say I ever will.
I could totally see getting one (or two) with twins. Having to run after one child is one thing, but then having two who always seem to be going in different directions makes it a whole lot more difficult. You would not be able to go anywhere with out one.
I'm not a fan but am NOT opposed to them, as someone already said...to each their own. Jos was and Nat is now at an age where she wants to explore and wonder. And irritatingly enough, to make me chase her. But Jos now, and I hope that Nat will, mellow out and will better take instructions in public.
I've noted that in especially crowded places, my girls will tolerate being strapped in the stroller...but I think my days of stroller security are limited. They are much too independent to want anything to do with it. Ai!
Additionally, I can understand seeing them used for when kids are are small and like to wonder. But how old is too old? I've seen 3-4 year olds in them, and can't help but think back to Jocelyn (3-1/2 now) and how she's ok to walk on her own. She listens to me, holds my hand, and doesn't try to get away from me. Hhmmm...Fenella, what's it like in Europe...up until what age is the leash used?
I don't remember people using them until they are too old. I would just say while they are todders. I only plan to use them until my boys get to the point where they will listen to me and will stay close to me. Right now, they don't want to be held and don't want to hold me hand. They also love to dart off running!
I was in Dland yesteday, and noticed a ton of people using them. DH was actually ok using them there. He realized quickly that my boys don't like being in their stoller and won't hold you hand. Without the leash they would cry and start to throw a fit. With it, they thought they had freedom and would happily run along! However, I think the ones I have suck, they don't have much support to stop them falling down. I need to order ones from england!
Fenella - just more 2-cents from me...went to the mall with Nat (Julie, Katie & Jenn, Victoria)...would love to gtg with you too, hopefully soon. Sorry I digress.
Saw a child, about 3 (a little smaller than Jos) and she was wearing the back part of a leash. I kept thinking about the age bit and how old is too old. As it was, and Julie and Jenn can attest to this, Nat did not want to be held nor hold my hand in Macy's to the parking lot. Regardless, I walked slowly and she stayed close enough to me to not have been a problem. Actually, we were lost trying to find our exit and Nat took instructions very well, changing directions and not disturbing the display items. I was impressed. LOL! In any case, I think it's partly a combo of parent controls and child's willingness to listen. I guess Nat (& Jos) know that I will let them have their independance, so long and it's within MY rules and reasonable.