Would you use a leash on your toddler?

Question

I always see the animal backpacks (at the store) with a leash attachment for toddlers. I never see parents using them on their kids. I can understand why these products would be good for parents to be sure they have their kid controlled while walking on the street or whatever. Does anyone ever buy these though?

Answer 1

My mom used a lease on me.. and I turned out OK (I think)..

Answer 2

I always said NO WAY would I use one. Then I had my 2nd child...so much differet then the first- he is crazy. I went and bought the animal backpack leash. It was so hard to go to the bank, mall , other palces where you have to stand in line and sign things, or really busy places like the zoo ect...when there isn't that free hand to hold a wiggly toddler who can't sem to stand still.

I figured people might think I am a "bad parent" for using it but I'd rather have them think that then lose my child somewhere.But actually, whenever he has it on, people always comment to me how cute it is and ask me where I bought it.

Answer 3

I wish there wasn't such a stigma attached to toddler leashes. Yes, of course, before I had children, I thought they were degrading and only used by lazy parents.

Now I'm mom to a hyper toddler, and would LOVE to use one when we go to the fair or the zoo or other crowded places. As it is, we only use it when we are out hiking in the wilderness. BTW, I haven't seen one in actual use in quite a while.

But yes, I would use one in public if it was more accepted.

Answer 4

They are huge over seas (we live in the U.K. for many years). They have pros and cons. I always hated seeing them on kids but I've also had two kids that hated to ride in strollers and were very quick to get away from me so I understand why parents used them.

I did use one, once. It was a harness and I was traveling from London to the U.S. with both kids by myself. One was a toddler and I had an infant and I had just had surgery. There was no way I could carry my toddler, hold the infant seat and the diaper bag without pulling out my stitches (appendix) so I had to use the harness in Heathrow airport. It's so busy and there's noone to help you and I had to do it. It honestly saved my life that day and I've never used it since.

Answer 5

L used to think it was a terriable thing to use.I have three chidern,never crossed my mind to use one on the older 2,but my third,can be a handfull when we are out and about.not in a bad way,he still has no concept,about things such as cars.For instance,we were walking down the street,he was holding my hand ,and in a split second he was gone.I caught him just as he was about to run into the road.When l ask why he did this, he said he saw a very pretty butterfly,and wanted to say hello to it.I haven't bought one yet,but the thought is there,as l would prefer a live son than a dead one.

Answer 6

They're cute, I'll admit. But I would never use one on my kids. If I'm too incompetent to hold their hands once they want to walk instead of ride in a stroller, I don't think I should leave the house. I've seen it on a kid 1 time, when I was younger at King's Island. The dad was too lazy to walk around with his kid while she was on her leash, so he'd let her walk out as far as she could, then he'd yank her back. He found it funny. That just made me think those things were wrong even more than I already did.

Answer 7

I bought one and intend to use it, with children being snatched and active children like my 16 month old always wondering off, I will feel secure in knowing at least I can have her on a wrist band or body band. My sister is laughing at me and told me the baby will look like a dog, but you know what, It's my child and I don't care what all these other people say, I want my baby close to me when we are out, but with some freedom to walk around at a certain distance without fear or losing her. I have heard so many stories of mothers that pay for something at the counter and turn away for a just a minute and their child vanishes.

Answer 8

I always thought those were horrible....until I had kids! 2 of my 3 boys are under 5 yrs old and sometimes I feel a leash would be safe to use in a crowded environment. So, yes, I would use one.

Answer 9

I have have one and use it. I have a 22 month old and a 10 month old! they both cannot ride the cart at the store. It is helpful in a crowded places like the mall. Children like to walk and look and be independent and can do this with a leash..

Answer 10

Hmm, let's see -- have my child on a leash, know she is safe when in a crowded environment, or chance her getting snatched in a split second when my head is turned . . . gee, hard decision.

Any parent who says they always keep their eye on their child when in public is LYING! It's impossible! Most kids are too rambunctious. There are too many psychos out there. I don't care what anyone thinks. One time at a store when I turned my head and my child disappeared in like 2 seconds and I couldn't find her for like 10 seconds -- everything horrible flashed in my mind and I'll never do that again.

And what's the difference between a harness and having a kid strapped into a stroller?

Answer 11

I use one when I take my toddler to any very crowded place, like to the aquarium or an amusement park. I was always one who used to criticize others for using them but when you have a child of your own everything is different, and you understand that you can never be too careful.