what do you think of the "leashes" you can buy for your toddler? it's more of a harness type thing, they sell them at wal-mart and they have elmo, or other cute characters on them. they seem like kind of a good idea for crazy 2 or 3 year olds that aren't the best at staying by your side in busy places, but on the other hand, it also seems a little bit inhumane. what do you think?
2006-08-26 07:56:16 · 27 answers · asked by anonymous 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I think they are a good idea in certain situations like if your going to be in a large crowd but if your just a the grocery store you should be able to watch your own child
2006-08-26 08:01:47 · answer #1 · answered by new love in tx 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I have 5 children with the first two I didn't use a leash, with the third one I did when we flew across the country just in the airports. I got a lot of rude comments and looks. After I had my fill I announced that I can rest assured that my daughter will be with me where I get where I am going not lost in a airport. I then didn't find a need for a leash again till I had my twins and in certain situations I use them depending on where we are going and the danger if they were to run off. I feel used in certain situations they are a life savior but not something they should be in every time they are out in public. That's how I feel about it anyway.
2006-08-26 19:47:34 · answer #2 · answered by twinsmakesfive 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think inhumane is the right word. I don't overly approve of them because of the potential for misuse. As in all the time use. I believe there are cases were a harness is justified say an airport and your two other kids. You and hubby or aunt or whoever maybe doing your very best to watch them but a large crowd of busy rude people sweeps by and your toddler has dissappeared it does happen. So it's up to a parent to use their best judgement, that's why they're the parent.
On a second note I do approve of them for wayward thirteen year olds my mom only had to have it in her purse my friend knew she'd do it and never left her side!
2006-08-26 15:30:44 · answer #3 · answered by emily 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I totally believe in them. Not the ones that go around the body but the ones that attach to the wrist. I have 2 boys that are 13 months apart. When they were little I used one and had one put his arm through one side and the other one on the other side and held the middle. This way no one could run away from me and get in the road. It was a life saver for me!
Picture two toddlers running in two different directions!
Those that do not believe in them do not have to look at it if they do not want to.
I think that if the parent is comfortable with it then they should go for it.
I hate that other people judge what parents do when they are not hurting a child. Until you have walked in the parents shoes you do not know what they are going through.
If I did not use one with my older two and my child got away from me and got hit by a car I would have been judges on that too. I figure if you are in a lose lose situation then go with what Will protect the child and let other people worry about themselves.
2006-08-26 21:34:12 · answer #4 · answered by mleetta 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just like any other parenting tool, there are right ways and wrong ways to use a "leash" type of device.
A leash is not a substitute for watching your child, and teaching him or her to be considerate of others. I have seen them used this way, and I think that is inhumane.
A leash can be useful in certain situations. I have used my babycarrier sling as a leash before. The situation was we were hiking on a nature trail at a park. I didn't want my son to run too far ahead, but holding my hand the whole time was not comfortable for him or me. We used the sling as a leash until he got tired, and then I used it to carry him on my hip for a while. I don't use it in the grocery store though.
2006-08-26 15:40:40 · answer #5 · answered by Kathryn A 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a good idea, with all the nutjobs in this world and in two seconds your child could be gone. It's a wonderful thing especially if your going to a big amusement park. I've seen so many parents just let their kids run wild and lose them, I bet after a few minutes of panic they wish they had a harness on them.
2006-08-26 22:23:36 · answer #6 · answered by sexymama 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm - a healthy toddler in a harness, or a toddler in hospital because they darted away from you in the two seconds you took your eyes off them.......I would go for the harness. Just understand, you will get LOTS of trouble from other people who don't agree with this. Make sure it is what you believe to be best for your child and then go from there. I was sold on it when I read about a guy who tried to abduct a kid in a mall and was stopped because the child was actually attached to his mother, who was just around the other side of a rack. These days, better safe than sorry in my books.
2006-08-26 15:04:17 · answer #7 · answered by Kla 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I use those 'leashes' on my 16 month old daughter, my mom used them on me. I think they are absolutely fantastic because they make my daughter stay next to me and I know exactly where she is at all times.
Inhumane would be letting children run loose, after which they can get very lost, run into roads, get kidnapped or injured. Why do you consider keeping children on reigns inhumane? All you would be doing is basically making sure your child stays alive. I don't think this is at all inhumane.
2006-08-26 17:08:35 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Pamela♥ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've read a lot of good answers,pro & con.
Listen hun,you know your child.I'm a 48 year old paw paw.They are not expensive,try one.
Baby,there are some sick , pervertied people out there.It dont take but the time for you to read the back of a box and your child could be gone.Myself;dont give a da*m what other people think.
If I had one,single,solatary thought that a "leash"made MY CHILD safer,I would have one for every day of the week.
2006-08-26 18:29:21 · answer #9 · answered by pops 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was against them at first, because I thought it was like treating your child as a dog.
Then I seen someone with one and it was like hmm that doesn't look too bad.
I have never used one but was given one just in case I changed my mind. I think they look fine if you are still hanging onto your child's hand and just use it for just in case purposes.
Have the harness on your child, but still hold the child's hand. So if the child does get out of your hand then you have the harness to fall back on.
2006-08-26 15:03:07 · answer #10 · answered by tigergirl301 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
well it depends, i mean if you are just going to a small city park or the store, i dont see the need for one. But they would probably be pretty good for things like festivals and amusement parks where they are always large crowds. Safty is important. In a large crowd you wouldn't be able to see you child walk away. But in a place with less people they aren't nessasary.
2006-08-26 15:37:20 · answer #11 · answered by kdancergirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋