Is it just me...?

Question

...Or are there other parents that refuse to use these child "leashes". I'm not saying that it's necessarily wrong, because I know these leashes/harnesses can be a blessing for parents trying to manage several children at once in crowded places, but personally I could never use one. It would make me feel as though I was walking an animal, not a child.

I don't mean any offense to those that do use these--if I come off as patronizing, please forgive me-- and I don't mean to generalize, but many times the people that I have seen using these are, well...using them because of laziness. Parents that just seem to be more caught up in socializing or other things while they are out than paying attention to their child.

I was at a county fair a few years back when I ran across an old acquaintance of mine and her 2 1/2 year old daughter that was on one of these leashes/harnesses. I crouched down to talk to her daughter, when her daughter tried "sniffing" at me. Thinking nothing of her antics, I asked her what her name was and how old she was. She held up two fingers and then began to run around in circles. So I asked her what she was doing. She told me she was a doggie and was chasing her tail, before she proceeded to "chase her tail" once more and make arfing noises. I looked at the mother and she only shrugged. I wasn't sure whether to be amused at the little girl's imagination or appalled that she apparently felt like a dog, even at her young age.

A few hours later any amusement that I once had over the little girl's charades soon changed, as I ran across mother and daughter again, only to find that the mother had put her end of the "leash" around the arm of a park bench so she could sit and chat with a friend. THIS is what I mean by laziness. Not saying that all parents that may use these are guilty.

So I was just wondering, am I alone in this?

Answer 1

No, not just you. I see your point how it might be an advantage to a parent with more than 1 kid and to help control, but I have 3 and frequent places by myself and don;t use a leash. Laziness, maybe, but to put a child on one then sit down and talk away-definately lazy. Should be more of a parental control thing to keep the child with you at all times. Seriously, what's to stop someone coming by with a knife and then the leash is cut and child gone and you were talking.. Geesh..

Answer 2

I think that using a device like that depends on the situation and the child.

Crazy kid? Constantly running off, getting lost, making you call Security at the mall, not listening when you tell them to come back? You might want to consider using a leash to save yourself some gray hair.

Crowded public place? An airport or shopping center where you don't feel safe letting your child -- even a well-behaved one -- leave you for one milisecond? A place where you could easily be separated, no matter how diligent you were, and your child could get lost, hurt, or kidnapped? You might want to consider using a leash to save your wee one.

Using one because you just aren't in the mood to parent your kid, though, is pretty pathetic. All kids are going to make you work at sometime or another -- nature of the beast, so to speak. :) A leash should only be used sparingly as a safety device, not all the time as a babysitter.

Answer 3

I agree that sometimes it's out of laziness as well. However I would like to stress I was a leash child and fine. When I was two and a half my mom had my little sister...and I had a predilection for trying to talk to strangers or go off with other families. My mom apparently could control this just by never letting go of my hand but when my sister came along she had to take care of her as well so she couldn't spend every second making sure I didn't walk off. My dad was usually out of the country on business so until I was 5/6 it was basically just us girls. I'm glad she used it because if she didn't I would probably have gotten lost more times than I did.

Answer 4

Some people abuse the use of the harness with their kids, just to socialize with others. I however use the harness with my 3 and a 1/2 year old son, but only when we're at the airport. I travel through Atlanta Georgia's airport frequently and that is the bussiest airport in the world. All it takes is for 1 person to bump us, and my son could be gone. I keep the harness around my wrist, but still hold my sons hand. It comes in handy for situations like this, but again, other people dont want to hold their childs hand, whether it be because they have too many things to hold themselves, or its just easier to keep ahold of their child. I believe its wrong to abuse them, but they can be life savers!

Answer 5

And her friend wasn't appalled? I personally have never seen anyone use a child leash and if this is how they use them then I am glad. There are way too many ways to restrain a child. Watching can take work but it can be done besides so many stores have child watches to help prevent lost children.

Answer 6

Every child is different. Until you have a "wild child" and you experience taking this child into an extremely crowded place where they can get easily separated from you...you really shouldn't judge anyone. I personally have never had to use one on my kids...but I have known people who have.

And for what it's worth, my child OFTEN puts the dog's leash on herself (around her waist) and wants her older sister to hold the leash while she acts like a dog. Many kids enjoy acting likes dogs or cats. It's no big deal.

You really shouldn't read too much into it.

Answer 7

U r not the only one becuz I have spoken to several parents that have said they feel like the are chaining their child down who don't know how to act. I personally think they are embarassing and makes others think that u do in fact treat your child as if they are an animal.

Answer 8

i used them for my middle child between the ages of 2-3, never had to do it with the others, it depends on the kid.


but personaly id rather him look a bit like an "animal" in your eyes then run out into the road and get hit by a car, they save lives.

Answer 9

I do believe in them beacuse of kidnappers but my cousin used to have his children hold his pinkie. I remember getting lost inside department store beacuse I would get bored. I might've been nice if I was attached but I don't know if by a leash

Answer 10

Nope. I've never used a child "leash" on my kids.