Kids on Leashes...yes or no?

Question

I was in the mall last week with my sister when I saw a woman with her kid on a leash. The mother was looking at one of those little booths in the middle of the aisle of the mall, her kid was trying to look at something in the window of a store (mind you the child must have been 3 or 4). The mom felt the kid tugging, and then yanked the leash (like you would a dog that wasn't following along), without even looking a where the kid was, forcing her to smack her head on a chair. The woman didn't even ask the kid if she was ok, she just gave this "oops" look and kept on shopping.
Who here, thinks that it is ok to walk your child on a leash like you would a dog. My opinion is, if your child won't stay where you want it, put it in a stroller, instead of treating it like an animal!!

excuse me..."without even looking AT where the kid was"

Answer 1

that sounds pretty lame. i agree with your thoughts.

it's like a little kid eating at the dinner table. sit the kid in a high chair...don't put his bowl on the floor like you are feeding a dog.

Answer 2

That is terrible, but the sad thing is had that child not been on the leash that type of woman would have found some other way to be cruel to that child. as far as generally speaking the leash issue would have to depend on the child, if my son turns out to be speed racer in the mall and was constantly taking off, I would consider a leash, just to protect him from getting lost or stolen, the stroller would of course always be the better option. The leash would be a last resort, I do not think that it should be used as a control method but a guide if you do use the leash. It is always easier said than done when dealing with kids, they have a mind of their own, everyone is talking about controlling their kids, leave behind if you can't, it only takes a few seconds for something to happen, be realistic and also what if the child wants to exercises and explore their world around them, do you encourage it by letting them walk or stifle it by strapping them down? That woman treated her kid like an animal, that is not the norm.

Answer 3

Leashes are OK. Sometimes they are used well and appropriately, but sometimes, like anything, they are misused. My husband and I always said that we would never use leashes but we changed our minds based on our situation.
I'm a SAHM and he works full time, we have 4 kids, 4, 1-1/2, 1-1/2 (yes, twins), and 6 months. In order to keep sane and give the kids interaction with other kids and just to get out of the house sometimes, I take them places (zoo, museum, for walks in the park, to the mall, etc.). The twins have not been content in the double stroller since they learned to walk (they can climb out of it, even when buckled in), so we got the "leashes" for them. I use them primarily when I am the only adult out with them. I admit, they can be hazardous to others, we have almost tripped, or clotheslined other people (children usually). And occasionally there is the temptation to pull on the leash to correct a behavoir instead of walking the three feet to grab a hand and make the redirect, but I try to be concious of this and do more redirecting, although I am guilty of the occasional leash tug, especially when I'm tired and frazzled.
Essentially right now, I'm trying to use the leashes as a safety device for the toddlers to allow them to be independent like they want right now. Also, for the record, my 4 year old has never worn a leash and I will not use one on her. I feel that since she is old enough to understand that there will be consequences if she wanders away (which has only happened a few times, and none recently thank goodness) she should be able to stay by me.

Answer 4

I've only seen a few people have their child on a leash, and it did shock me the first time I saw it. There are certainly times when I wouldn't have minded having one when I was looking at something in a store and my 20mth old daughter decided to play hide and seek (only I wasnt aware we were playing). Yeah, scares the **** out of you when you look aware for a sec and then your child has disappeared in the blink of an eye. She hates the stroller if I stop at all, so it really isnt a great idea to take one if I want to stop and look at baby clothes for instance. To let her have a bit of freedom without the scare factor of her taking off on me would be great. I probably never would actually use one just for the thought it brings to my mind of leashes being for animals, but I wouldnt look down on someone else who did.

Obviously the way this woman jerked on her daughter's leash, resulting in her little girl smacking her head and then not even asking if the girl was OK, is clearly lacking in many areas. I dont know if I would blame it on the leash though. If it wasnt for the leash she probably would have gone over to her daughter, roughly grabbed her by the arm, dragged her back over to where the mother had been and demand she stand right next to her. I've seen this before, and it breaks my heart. Look, your kid is going to act up sometimes and when they do, just leave the shopping for another day. I've had to do that a number of times and yeah it's annoying, but being loving to your child is more important.

Answer 5

Just wait all of you who chose to answer this question yet you don't have a toddler of your own. I used to feel the same way UNTIL I had a toddler who wouldn't stay by my side and screamed when in the stroller. Babysitters aren't always handy and can be expensive.

It is my responsibility to keep my child safe and if that means keeping him on a tether then so be it. I personally wasn't able to use one as my son didn't like it (the wrist one) but I've seen many of the packpack style and they're quite handy. This one woman was having to deal with three young ones and the youngest she had a backpack with a leash on it. There's no way she could have had that one child in a stroller and keep up with the other two.

It's easy to judge if you're not a parent. Granted, that woman should not have been so rough but you don't know what had been happening before then either.

Answer 6

I don't agree how that mother was using the harness. However, you obviously must not have children to state such an ignorant remark. Don't get on your high horse unless you've been in certain situations. I have used a harness before - I have three kids all roughly a year apart, and one of them is autistic and a "bolter". I only have two arms, and therefore can't hold all three kids hands at once. I do use a double stroller at times, but I have used the harness on my son when we've been places where a stroller is cumbersome, or very crowded places, or simply if he'd rather walk, which is great exercise for kids. We are working on teaching him not to "bolt" and run off, but in the meantime, I am NOT going to compromise is safety and risk losing him. Frankly I don't see any difference between a stroller or a harness - they both confine kids and keep them safe, however the harness at least allows them to walk and get some exercise. Don't be so judgemental until you've walked in my shoes.

Answer 7

I own one. I don't think of it as a way to control my daughter at all. She's 2 years old and wants a bit of freedom, not cooped up in the stroller or always holding my hand. It allows her to walk "independently" without me having to worry about her running away or someone grabbing her-these things can happen in the blink of an eye with a curious toddler no matter how great your parenting skills are. I do, however, believe these "leashes" can easily be misused. It is not their primary purpose to drag your child around a mall or anywhere with. We use ours in a crowded place, like the mall, where my daughter wants to walk freely. So, we place the "leash" on her and let her lead the way.

A young child doesn't understand the importance of holding their parents hand and it isn't fair to strap them in a stroller because you don't want to deal with them.

Answer 8

I think that mother was extremely irresponsible, and not at all concerned about the well being of her child. How ever, I do see why some one would use a leash. I think that at a certain age, children should stop being walked around in strollers. A 2 year old in a stroller to me (unless your out for many hours) is laziness. The harness and leash idea is a good one. It allows your child to walk, strengthening her/his legs, while keeping the child safe. Too many times parents look away for just a second and their child has run off, or gets snatched up. When used responsibly, and for the correct reasons, I think it is a good idea. Why do you keep your pet on a leash? To keep it near you and keep it from running away. While it is technology originally designed for animals it has a greater purpose when used with a child.

Answer 9

Well, I don't have a problem with the "leash" type device I'm sure she had. It's meant for an extra security for mindful parents to use to protect their children in densely populated or dangerous areas.
Unfortunately, I too have witnessed instances such as this that you describe and it makes me not only sad for the child but mostly angry at the irresponsible parent.

Sounds to me that this mother is neglecting her responsibilities as a mother b/c she is too involved in her shopping. Good Grief..... "Mother of the Year" huh? Ugh...
Thank goodness for the device that child is attached to in this case b/c if the child weren't attached, the probability of the child being snatched by a stranger or getting into a bad situation /hurt, etc.. would be even greater. It's probably saved this childs life is what I'm saying...
Sad for the child but true....

It's a shame that so many selfish people produce children and then bask in their own glow of their words "I have a kid"..
These children will grow up being selfish as their example was and the cycle most likely repeats itself..

So.... I absolutely agree with you about using the device to treat your child like a dog...as well as that mother needing to take responsibility for her child...

Answer 10

Y'know, one person does something idiotic like this woman did and it ruins it for all of us.

I think that the "leashes" (otherwise know as a tether) are a great idea! They let your child practice walking, without the worry of your child taking off across a store, or worse a parking lot. Not to mention how it reduces the risk of your child being snatched during that split second that you're not looking. And I'm not sure if you've noticed, but a lot of kids can unbuckle and crawl out of a stroller when they're old enough. Not to mention who wants to lug a stroller around everytime they leave the house.

You're not exactly treating your child like an animal... I mean, is there a collar around his neck? Didn't think so. Some people would benefit from treating their children like animals anyway. I've seen plenty of dogs that behaved better than some children I've met.

Answer 11

yes. i do it. ONLY at the mall or other large public place.. i am walking with my 2yr old, not against her..we go to the mall in cold weather for walking exercise.. she wants to walk, i want her safe, she can be pretty quick... we walk in i go at her pace, and i dont care if everyone has to go around, she gets to look in windows, and likes to say hi to the old people.. at the other end is an indoor play area, she loves it, and i take the harness off... when its time to go i put it back on, and she know there is more fun at the other end, mechanical rides and such... she gets her energy out, safely, then naps, so i can have a break. i wonder if all these people who say its awful have ever had near heart failure when a small child has wandered. i dont abuse my kids, and i think a leash for certain situations is safety, not cruelty...