Is an infant harness horrible?

Question

I've read quite a few opionions on this subject, and every single one seems to be negative. I have active 1 year twins, one who is walking and one who's not quite there yet. They don't mind the stroller most of the time, but when we're at the park or a similar place, my walker wants to walk.. which is a good thing, except that when he runs I have to chase him. I can't carry my non-walker while chasing the walker, so this means I have to either leave her sitting on a blanket and hope no one walks by and snatches her while I'm chasing the other one, or it means I'll carry her and may not be fast enough to catch the walker before he hits a danger zone. While I'm not overly interested in whether or not I get dirty looks, I'd like a solution that's not going to make my fellow mothers assume I must be a horrible mother. Plus I'm starting to wonder what I'm going to do when they're both walking and take off in opposite directions? It's bound to happen no matter how carefully I watch & hold.

Answer 1

I have used a harness on our 3rd baby, mostly because with 2 other children, I wanted to make sure they were ALL safe. It only takes one second for something really bad to happen. Don't worry about anyone's disapproving looks- they are usually either from people who have no children, or they are the parents who think that they are perfect, but who really never supervise their own children, and wait for all the other moms and dads to do it for them. The harness we have for our son is used mostly when we go places like Disney, and he gets tired of sitting in the stroller all day long. It is actually really cute because it is really soft and it is a puppy dog. His paws wrap around my son and that is where the harness part connects. The back of the puppy is a backpack. He has never tried to get out of it because he thinks he's big like his sisters, with a backpack on! You can get them at Target (I paid $9.95) and I have seen them at several other stores like Walmart, Toys R Us, etc... There are several different styles.

Answer 2

The most important thing is to keep your children safe. If keeping them near by holding their hands all the time or keeping them in a stroller is acceptable--and it is--a harness should be equally acceptable. A mom of twins holding two harnesses as the kids try to walk opposite directions may be a comical sight, but it shows a responsible mother, not a horrible one.

Another solution is to have help at the park--husband, nanny, friend, relative. Not always possible, of course.

Answer 3

I've had that same worry, too! I've got a soon-to-be 2-year-old, and I don't know what I'm going to do when I've got two kids to watch after and chase after. I have even considered the harness-thing, too. I've seen several mothers around my area using them, and I don't think any less of them. If the other mothers in your area enjoy running around and stressing out, let them. You're the mother of your children, not them. Do what you feel is best. I, personally, think it's a good idea. Better than freaking out about your child entering a danger zone.

Answer 4

As a mother of two toddlers I have also considered this idea. I do not think they are horrible (I rejected the idea because my son could get out of the harness). I think that it is your responsibility as a parent to make sure that your children are safe and that if this can help you do that then it is a good thing. You have to be comfortable with your decision though. If other parents criticize you then you need to be able to say I am their mom, I make the decisions that are best for them and not get defensive. People tend to be critical of other parents choices and I think it is in part because it makes them feel better about their own choices.

Answer 5

I think at certain places in certain situations, a harness can be OK. Sounds to me like you have one. I haven't ever really thought about using one, but if we were going to a crowded place and my son wanted to walk, I would really consider it. I think you should try it. It seems mean to make the walker sit when she wants to get up. Good luck!

Answer 6

I used a harness for both of my daughters, and yes people looked at me funny, and yes I had a few who told me that it was cruel, but to be honest I didn't care what others thought of it. I knew that my daughters were safe and that they could not wander to far from me or be snatched as the toddled in a crowded area. There are times now that I wish I could still use one to keep them from wondering. Their 6 and 4 now. I don't think I emotionally scared them for life by doing this

Answer 7

Your job as a mother is to protect your children, not to get in good with the other mothers --who probably don't understand the challenges of having twins. If I were you I would get the harness, the only other solution would be to hire a nanny to help you or not to leave your house, which is not going to be good for anyone.

Answer 8

I think I used to be the one giving those dirty looks, until I became a mother and realized exactly how you feel! You should go with the harness. Better to be politically incorrect, and keep your twins safe, than to care about what other people think and regret it later.
Good luck!
:o)

Answer 9

I'll admit, the first time I saw it, I thought it was weird, but not inhumane! There is nothing wrong with using it occasionally. I don't think it should be used all the time, but on certain occasions, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. We bought one right before we went to Disney World with my oldest, a toddler at the time. I can't imagine what we would've done without it. I would've been worried the whole time. You never know these days. Better to have weird looks than to have something happen to your child (God forbid). Try not to let the "looks" get to you. Ignore them.

Answer 10

Let people say what they want, at the same time have them spend a day at the park with you. I had them for my children and was criticized for it. It`s better than having a child run onto the road or get lost in a mall.