What do you think of those children harnesses that are like a back pack or go around the wrist?

Question

My mother in law bought one for my 1 yr old for when he is at the mall or wherever because he is such a go getter, my husband thinks it's great but im afraid of what people will think if I use it when were at the mall or wherever.

What do you think?

people please remember he is 1yrs old and you really can't set boundrys or reason with him yet, he just loves to run everywhere. He isn't even potty trained.LOL

Answer 1

Who cares what people think. I have a fifteen month old. Chasing him is exhausting and unsafe in crowded situations

Answer 2

My son is 33 months old. We got a harness buddy that looks like a monkey backpack that he wears sometimes when he goes shopping with my mother. I would rather have her know where he is than have him get lost. We also used it while we were at Disney world. I actually got many comments from people about what a cute idea and how they thought it was a great way to make sure that he was safe instead of running wild. I am currently 33 weeks preg and can't keep up with him like I used to. If someone doesn't like it, too bad. At least I know he won't be able to run out in front of a car in the parking lot or get lost in a store. He is very independent and hates riding in the stroller. He even likes it because I let him pick out the style and he gave it a name.

Answer 3

My family was the opposite! I think they are a necessity in certain situations and my husband says it's too much like a dog leash! My thought is that I will do whatever it takes to keep my child safe. My daughter is 2 and still loves to just run off. I have had a couple of times I had to find her among racks of clothing in a store because she won't ride in a cart or stroller. Why is it ok to put a leash on a dog to keep them safe and keep them from running off, but it is horrible when we do it to a child? If we take her to the State Fair this year I will probably go out and buy her one despite my husband's belief on it because the worst thing I could imagine is losing my child in a crowd or someone walking off with her!! Children are too precious and busy areas are not safe for little ones!!

Answer 4

Leashes are great. They are great for toddlers because you can allow them some freedom to explore and still keep them safe and close by. Many toddlers get bored riding in a stroller for long periods of time.

They are also very handy for older kids in crowded places and various environments such as museums,amusement parks, vacationing in strange cities, and airports/train stations. Kids often tend to wander or bolt without thinking or using good judgement. Sometimes the excitement of the moment causes them to run off or just not pay attention. For a parent the leash can offer piece of mind . For the child it can offer a sense of security. Forget any negative comments or the comparison to treating your child as a pet. My girls wore harnesses as toddlers. They still wear them on vacation trips,air shows,amusement parks etc. They are 9 and 7. We have many wonderful outings and experience no stress. They are very content knowing they will not get lost in the large crowds. Leashes have been very successful and wonderful for us. Go ahead and use the leash. Your outings with your son will be fun and rewarding knowing he is safe and under control.

Answer 5

I had one for my second son, because he escaped from strollers when he was under two. He would slide down until his feet touched the ground, stand up [ still strapped in the stroller ] and crawl away with the stroller on his back like a giant deformed turtle.
The harnesses zip up the back, so he can't get lose [ the hand ones are very easy to escape from ]. Several teenagers made dog noises when we would pass, but I either ignored them or told them why I used it.
[ I find lost toddlers almost every time I go to the mall, an amusement park, playground, etc. ]

Answer 6

Gold Bug makes an "animal backpack" type harness, where the Care Giver holds on to the tail. I have seen a number of toddlers with them, and the parents have said that the children love it. I plan on buying one for my 14 month old. It would be much better to know where your child is than to risk them running out into traffic or wandering off in a mall. You do what you have to do for yourself. Not all children are the same.

Answer 7

I use one on my son who is almost 3 years old. He prefers it to holding hands. I have the kind that looks like a monkey backpack so my son's hands are totally free. I have never gotten weird looks. If anything, people think it's really responsible especially this day and age when we hear so much about child abductions.

It's actually helping him to learn how to just walk beside me and not run up ahead or run into traffic or wander in stores.

I will say that when my son was 1 year old, he absolutely hated the harness.

hope that helps.

mari

Answer 8

It beats leaving pressure marks on the kids (I've seen some kids so red from parents jerking them around). I would recommend the backpack style though, just cause I found it easier and my daughter preferred it. If you are confronted, I suggest telling the butt-insky that rather than having your child running all over the stores/parks/etc. you choose to allow them a little bit of freedom while still maintaining control and that they should be thanking you for being a responsible parent. How many kids have I seen running through a parking lot followed by screeching tires! EEP!

Answer 9

I used to feel the same way as you until my middle daughter started bolting whenever I would take her somewhere. At that point I didn't care what anybody else thought. I cared more about her safety and my sanity. Don't worry so much what other people think. If he's a go getter and he practically gives you a heart attack when you're calling his name and he thinks it's funny to hide, you won't care what other people think. Keep it handy, you'll probablly use it. My daughter was really squirlly when she had it on because she knew she couldn't get away, but she hated being in the stroller.

Answer 10

I used to think that they were demeaning. I always said I would never use one on my child. That was before my oldest (18 months at the time) got away from me in a department store. I was looking at a belt and the next thing I know he's jerked away from me and bolting down the aisle. I finally found him in a rack of clothes, but the heart attack I "almost" had was enough for me to immediately go to a store and buy a wrist one. I used it until my son was almost 2 and knew to stay with me. I never used one with my other 2 kids because it was just easier to use a stroller with more than one kid. :) I say use it. It will bring you real peace of mind knowing your kid can't get away from you and he won't be cooped up. Don't worry about what others think.

Answer 11

They are great! I had to bring my son (15 months) to a fair while my hubby was working the food booth (volunteer church fair) and i got one with a monkey back pack and all the looks i got were those of "aww how cute" or "look he's got a monkey on his back" no one gave me dirty looks and if they did i would not care. I was keeping my child safe and close while letting him enjoy the walk around the fair. He even thought is was fun. don't worry about what other people think, you are not hurting or degrading your child in any way, you are keeping them safe and out of trouble while giving them a more freedom then being in a stroller or in your arms.