I was at the fair last night and saw a bunch of kids on leashes or harnesses. It was like a cute little kitty or bear backpack thing. It looked pretty cute plus it's a great way to keep your children safe. I used to be against those because they actually looked so inhumane but now they're cute and the straps are wider so it doesn't look like it would be uncomfortable. What are your opinions on this????
2007-07-22 08:28:32 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
This comment is to samantha24.... Do you think that it's better for a child to watch his/her mom get punched in the face than it is to have them on a leash for a few minutes. Who are you to set down a law and punishment for something so pety?
2007-07-22 10:37:56 · update #1
I have one because my hubby and I go out to alot of places where there's alot of walking - like all day adventures to major outlet malls, county fairs, Disneyland, etc. My 15 month old gets fussy from being penned up in her stroller for hours. I love to let her out to walk - but I dont want to let her totally free to dart out in front of a car or other people or grab some poisionous plants in a planter, etc.
Basically I only use it to let her stretch her legs and I have to watch her so much more than when shes securely in her stroller. Also - Im a little paranoid about someone snatching her up and running off with her - and when she's on the leash - I know would-be bad guys will see than Im RIGHT THERE and not try anything bad.
I really hate the people who use the harnesses and then ignore what the child is doing. I see this all the time with people shopping in the malls - the mom is looking at one rack and then the kid is destroying the next rack over but the mom has no idea because she feels overly secure in her child's location - just because its on the harness.
2007-07-22 09:30:04 · answer #1 · answered by Valerie H 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Here is how it always goes. 99% of the people that are against harnesses, do not have kids. And frankly then, their opinion doesn't matter. The other 1% that are against harnesses either only have 1-2 kids, or kids with large age gaps, or do not have a child with special needs.
As a mother of three kids, all roughly a year apart, and one who is autistic and a "bolter", I have used the harness at crowded public places like a fair. Its a godsend, and I will do whatever necessary to keep my children safe. If anything, I think its better than a stroller because it allows my kids to get exercise by walking.
Bottom line is, as I've said before on this debate - parenting is a humbling experience. People shouldn't be so judgemental, as you are very likely to find yourself in that same position one day.
Oh yeah, and that Samantha is an idiot. I'm sure it was so much better for that child to witness his mother being attacked than be on a leash. the poor kid will probably be in therapy over that. What a jerk, I hope the mother pressed charges against her.
2007-07-23 09:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by Mom 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it is the best solution and the safest one.
one never knows what can happen on the road - one second is enough and under the wheels the child might be!!!
so what is better the leash or nothing? the leash even if it looks like walking a dog.
toddlers are so quick and curious especially when we have to pay for something in a shop.
holding the kids hand is OK but it could happen that that one second of inattention when getting something out of the hand bag or something else... and there the leash will keep the child in safety....
have a great day....
2007-07-22 16:07:54 · answer #3 · answered by nnnn 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think that the harness is a great thing. Before we bought a harness, we had taken our 16 month old to the fair. There were five adults all with us (grandparents, aunt and parents). His grandpa sat him down to tell my mom to take him for a minute. When he looked back, my son was gone. Luckily, he had just ran around a display and we were able to find him right away. We got the harness the next day. We love being able to put him down and let him walk without having to worry about him making a fast break. He does not have any problems with it being uncomfortable and he is more safe with it on,
2007-07-22 18:09:45 · answer #4 · answered by me 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We bought a backpack harness with a bear on it (that my daughter picked out) before we went to Mexico. I didn't want her to run off and get lost in a different country! I think they're perfectly fine. I used to really feel bad for the kids that had to wear those harnesses or the wrist things. But, now that I'm a mom, I realize that it is only for the child's safety.
2007-07-23 20:35:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm all for them. My 13-month-old is at the stage where she does NOT want to be carried or ride in the stroller, but she isn't old enough to just "hold hands" either. A toddler "leash" solves the problem - she's happier than she would be screaming in a shopping cart, and I don't have to worry about her running off.
2007-07-22 17:21:49 · answer #6 · answered by stormsinger1 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think its fine if you are out in a busy place and have a lively toddler who is prone to run off. We have one for our 3 year old which we use on him in public so he can't come to any danger but also means he doesn't have to go in the stroller, so its more freedom for him. I don't think its uncomfortable for them, they have good designs these days - your little one may not like it being put on but the option of that or the stroller, I think they would prefer it!
2007-07-22 15:37:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think it's fine. I put my 20 month old in one when we go out. If i didn't she would run crazy and controll everything. I think that it does sound bad a people without a toddler may think its a terrible thing but its worse having them run around and get into trouble. I would rather enjoy going out and chasing a toddler around, so I recomend it.
2007-07-22 17:55:56 · answer #8 · answered by BUTTERFLYKISSES 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you have multiple children, any devise that prevents them from running away from you while allowing you to complete your tasks is a life saver. An inhumane devise is something that removes all mobility or causes pain and or degradation. Not the case here.
2007-07-22 15:39:21 · answer #9 · answered by Michele 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I would rather my (18 month old) wear her monkey harness reather then just run around around by herself. I feel bad always keeping her cooped up in the stroller, in a cart or having to be carried. So letting her walk around is a good solution. But I wouldn't want her just running around by herself. So I think the harness is a good thing.
2007-07-22 15:33:28 · answer #10 · answered by sara_and_cj 3 · 8⤊ 1⤋