What do you think of kiddie leashes?

Question

I guess thats what they are called.It seems like it would be a great idea,but the two times I have seen them in use the picture that I got was lazy parents and humiliation for the child.
Please tell me if I am wrong.

Answer 1

I have one and before I had my daughter I said I would never have one. I thought my child would think they were a dog and feel bad. But, now I have a day care in my home and when I take the kids for a walk the leash is not so bad. I have a stroller that seats 3 so my daughter, being the oldest, gets to walk. She's very good at listening and doing what she's told, but she's 3, she wanders into people's yards to look at the flowers, or wants to go look at the piece of trash in the middle of the street. The leash reminds her to stay close. I must add though, that when I first bought it and put it on her, my worst fears were confirmed. She immediately got down on all fours and started barking, LOL!!! She thought it was so much fun, and it has Elmo on the front so she thinks she is hot stuff! With all that said, I use the leash when I have more than one child to look after. I never use it when it's just the two of us out doing something, she has to learn self control and I have to be the parent and keep a close eye on her.

Answer 2

I don't use them. However, there is a time that I would use them. My kids are 1 and 2 and let me tell you, they can be a handfull sometimes. I don't agree that these leashes should be used when you only have 1 child, especially since I see most people using them in a grocery store. Wouldn't it just be easier to put the child in a cart? Now, the only way I would use them is if I was in a very crowded place with both my kids and I didnt have anyone else with me. I don't see that happening but I'm just giving you an example when I see why it could be acceptable

Answer 3

You're wrong. I raised 3 kids. The feeling of turning around and not seeing your child by your side is the horrible feeling here. I am not a lazy parent. I have always been a very involved, active parent. I had very active, curious kids. My eldest used to hide among the racks at clothing stores, laughing at mommy going nuts trying to find him. I, on the other hand, Was already calling the police, national guard, God........
No matter how great a parent is, your baby can wander off in a split second. I love the leash!

Answer 4

I agree. If you have to use a leash, it doesn't teach the child about self control. Children are naturally impulsive and it is up to parents to supervise and watch their children at all times. The running away phase lasts only a short time.Toddlers love the feeling of being free and running around so you can encourage it as long as you can control where they run like child friendly places or parks.
I think those leashes pose a hazardous risk in crowded places. Someone could easily walk between you and send your child flying. That is what strollers or back carriers are for.

Answer 5

I don't see these "leashes" as a bad thing. When I see parents use them, I don't look down at them for that. I can understand that people have kids that can't be "tamed". People who say that you shouldn't take your kids out if you can't control them are wrong as well. Everyone doesn't have the discipline or just angel kids at that to do that. I have a very active 3 year old. He eventually learned to control himself. If I were to use the "leash" at anytime, it would be in a busy area like an airport, bus station, train station, ect. especially with all this terrorism going around. But, along with everyone else . . . this is my opinion.

Answer 6

That's the image that comes to my mind too - the kid is humiliated. When I first heard about it I thought it was a joke. I don't understand how someone could have thought of that, how others agreed to produce and sell it and how a parent can put such a thing on his/her child in the 21st century. It is degrading. I know kids can be very energetic and always moving around and it's hard for parents to control them all the time, but for heaven's sake, hold hands! What's next, a child transport box?

Answer 7

You are wrong... I took three children under the age of 3 to a theme park. If it wasn't for the kiddie leashes I could not have done that. The leashes keep the children from running of in different directions and they keep them safe. I don't go to malls, or theme parks with my 3 without them.

Answer 8

I've seen that too, but I've also seen them used appropriately. When you're ordering food anywhere that's not sit-down (McDonald's) and your 2 yr old kid sees something they want (the plastic playground) they will run towards it, not thinking that there is any danger. You know better. Zoink! The tether pulls your arm out to a certain length, hits your body weight, and the little wreckless one is stopped in his tracks.

They should NEVER be used for humiliation and are NOT a substitute for attention. They are to keep track of your kid in crowded areas and at times in which you must focus your attention elsewhere.

Answer 9

I wish they would have had these when my son was younger because I would have strapped it on him in a hurry. My son is ADD/ADHD and having to chase him around would make me far from a lazy parent. You need to look into the situation further before you catergorize someone for using a product that would be very helpful in a situation.

Suz that skit on SNL was Mike Myers harnessed to a playground jungle gym and Nicole Kidman was a little girl beside him with a chocolate bar and she gave him the chocolate and he got hyper and tryed to run but he couldn't cause he was attached to the jungle gym.

Answer 10

All three of my girls had "leashes" or tethers. It let them feel independent because they had the freedom of walking around like a 'big kid', and gave me peace of mind. They weren't running off into the middle of the street and I never had to chase them down an aisle of a store screaming at them. I remained calm, they were happy. People gave me weird looks, but it worked for us.