Can you please explain to me how you feel a harness is so much worse than a stroller that they are strapped into? I have a two year old that now thinks it is a fun game to run off and have mommy chase her (into the street, etc)
Just wondering what people's reasoning is with this issue?
2007-05-25 10:18:03 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
still not explaining the difference between a stroller and leash?
2007-05-25 10:23:01 · update #1
people keep saying it's like an animal because basically you're confining your child...what's a stroller do??? Atleast with a harness they are free to walk around on their own two feet.
2007-05-25 10:25:34 · update #2
I completely agree with you, Nimo. My daughter can so easily yank her tiny hand out of mine and all it takes is a SECOND for her to be gone. She still is slightly too young to try and reason with about the dangers of running into the street.
2007-05-25 10:37:41 · update #3
Putting your child in a stroller with a strap is similar to putting on a seat belt in a car. The stroller has wheels and the strap keeps them sitting in their place. People typically put their children in a stroller to save them the trouble of walking, NOT to keep them corralled or trapped.
Putting your child on a leash (like a dog) is saying that you want your child on the ground, but you don't want to pay attention to them. It's a simple, half-assed way of keeping control of the child. Kinda like the television.
You could always put a bowl of water down for when they get thirsty too... that way you wouldn't be inconvenienced.
2007-05-25 10:30:48 · answer #1 · answered by Brett M 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
A harness is something that you can pull on. A stroller is something that you put your child in and they are not on the ground. You put a harness on a kid and they can fun off and they have their limit as to how far they can go. You put them in a stroller and they can not run off and you give them some snacks and something to drink and if the child has a good attitude they will sit there and behave.
OH, and if it's outside.... put up a fence that is what it was made for to keep people and animals safe.
2007-05-25 10:28:27 · answer #2 · answered by mommy_05_06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who have never had a very active toddler are generally the ones who think a child harness is the same as putting a pet on a leash. We have good friends who married when they were older (late 30's) and had their first child when he was 41 and she was 40. He would always rib everyone, whether he knew them or not, if he saw a little one in a harness. THEN...they had Sam. We all think Sam was born on the run. He never was still. When Sam was 18 months old, guess who showed up at a big picnic with Sam on a harness! I don't think he's ever lived that down. Sam is now 10 and is still always on the go (the harness is long gone now, though). I would much rather have people think badly of me than have my little one lost in a busy place or hit by a car. It's always best not to judge unless you have been in someone's shoes.
2007-05-25 10:38:24 · answer #3 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Hi there
My son is 13 months old and I have just bought a harness for him and do not feel the slightest bit guilty.His safety comes before anything. I bought it as he loves to walk and enjoys being outdoors. I do not think of him as a pet., I give him lots of love, time and attention. He is happy with the harness on and I am happy because I know he will not run in the road and get knocked over with a passing car. He does go in his pram too if I have lots to do. I think that the harness gives him the opportunity to develop his muscles, explore the world around him, have some Independence and this will go along way in preventing obesity and also encouraging exercise, thus promoting a healthy lifestyle. I can still discipline him with the harness on.
2007-05-25 10:42:20 · answer #4 · answered by hycoupe001 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think either one is bad. In fact by the time a kid is 2 or 3 they don't really want to sit still in a stroller, but they also don't have the judgment not to run into the street. I was very against using a leash on my daughter. Until one day we were at a crowded expo. She pulled her hand free from mine and ran off through the crowd. By the time I got through the crowd in the direction she had gone, I couldn't see her anywhere. She was gone for 30 minutes. It was terrifying, and believe me, she wore a leash after that! Reason number two: Once I went with my friend to the store. As soon as she took her son out of the car he took off running, right towards a very busy street and the cars do not slow down at all for pedestrians. Another friend happened to be standing there waiting to cross and she grabbed him by the back of the shirt and pulled him back, right out of the path of oncoming traffic. It only takes a split second for a kid to get away from you. Those parents who say that it never happens to them or that you are not a good parent if it does are full of crap. It's not treating a child like an animal, it's keeping the child safe, and after all, isn't that our main job as parents!?
P.S.- And to those who say it's not addressing the problem of the child running off and not listening, every single kid goes through a point where they do not listen to their parents. Even kids who do listen almost all of the time can get excited and run off. What is better, to "address" the issue by risking the child running off and getting hit by a car, or to keep the child safe with a leash? And another point to consider, the leash itself actually helps to address the issue, my daughter got tired of her leash after a few times. We told her she didn't have to use it if she would hold our hands and stay by our sides. She very quickly learned to do just that and we used the leash for only a matter of a few weeks.
2007-05-25 10:31:02 · answer #5 · answered by nimo22 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm a mother of four children whom are all very close in age. When we go out my 4 year old likes to take off, and its sometimes difficult to keep up. I want him to have a good time while we are out, and I certainly don't want to stress where he went if I turn my back for just a second. I recently just bought one, and we have used it only twice,but at no point does he feel he is a pet. He stays right with me and thinks it is fun to be on. as soon as we are where it is safe. such as our van or home, or even the park) I take it right off, but normally he puts it on again. How many parents at airports or the mall, have claimed their child took off or was kidnapped? I'm happy to say I have all my children by my side, and no chance of losing one of them for any reason.
I don't feel that a harness is any worse then a stroller. A stroller you have complete control over and your child has no independance, and virtually your child doesnt burn any energy, but sitting on their bum...
A harness, your child is up, playing and can still have a little distance to get away from your hand if they want. Only difference between to the two.. Your child is up and moving, and hopefully b urning calories for that nap that is going to be needed at one point!
2007-05-25 10:29:00 · answer #6 · answered by countrymomv4 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Who cares what people think? Who cares if they don't like to see it? It's really none of their business. You have to do whatever it is that makes it easier on YOU to care for your child. If they run out into the street and get hit, it's a little late to "enact discipline." And the pet comparisons are pretty lame. If dogs had never been put on leashes, this wouldn't even be an issue. The leashes let your kids explore and interact with their environment within limits and gives them an opportunity to get some extra exercise. Maybe this way, when they get older, they'll be more interested in moving around then sitting in front of a TV/video game, etc.
Do what YOU think is right.
2007-05-25 10:23:56 · answer #7 · answered by Kimmy :o) 2 · 6⤊ 1⤋
It's a great idea and they're cute (monkeys, bears etc). It takes time to teach a child not to run off when they first learn they can. It's important of course to make time and put effort in to teaching them not to run off but in certain cases like at malls, amusement parks, busy downtown areas etc they're great. Then other times when you go on a family walk, go to the park, etc you can practice not running off. Putting them in a stroller is much worse when they don't want to be in a stroller. There's nothing wrong w/ a stroller- they're great too- but when a kid doesn't want to sit there and has energy and curiosity, it's torture. The benefits also include exercise! I'm not going to raise a lazy fat kid, she can walk right next to mommy (unless she's too tired) and eat veggies instead of chips :-) Too many ppl are caught up in being over sensitive and over analyzing to really just enjoy the perks of these kind of things.
2007-05-25 10:59:44 · answer #8 · answered by throughthebackyards 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe leashes donesn't let the child learn selfdisipline....the parent controls that with the leash.....I give my girl(2 1/2) choices...she holds my hand or its the stroller...also I walk alot so a stroller is important because she gets tired quicker then me and my 5 year old.....
2007-05-25 15:31:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a two year old too. We just got a harness because he too finds it funny to run off. I am using it for safety and to teach him to stay close to me. People who say it is wrong are just whacko and a little out of touch with reality. There is nothing wrong with using one. I don't want him to grow up being used to getting pushed around everywhere in the stroller.. I want him to be healthy, love physical activity and be safe.
I am with you Yodieroth! Power to the harness moms! I would raise my hand in solidarity but it is attached to my son's harness. Tee hee
2007-05-25 10:28:42 · answer #10 · answered by Cathy K 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋