Is it inhumane to use a child harness(or leash on kids) on kids?

Question

why or why not?

Answer 1

I can guarantee you that anyone here that said they were against harnesses either have no kids, only have one kid, or have kids with large age gaps.

When you are in MY position - have three kids all roughly a year apart, and the middle child is autistic and likes to "bolt" and doesn't understand well to stay near you..... THEN you can judge me and call me a lazy and tacky parent. I however, feel the safety of children is a heck of a lot more important than worrying about what others think. Oh, and my middle son walked at 9 months. You try training a 9 month old to stay near you - or for that matter, try holding hands iwth a 9 month old for long periods - now THAT is inhumane to the baby, having their short little arm stuck up like that.

Why people think strollers are so much more humane than harnesses is beyond me. They have the same purpose - keeping a child restrained and safe. The harness, has an added bonus of allowing the child to get some exercise, something that our children are in dire need of in this day and age.

Answer 2

It is not inhumane. Child harnesses are parenting tools. They should be used to teach and guide toddlers how to behave, not as a substitute for watching kids closely in public.

I once saw a toddler get dragged though a pumpkin patch at the end of a harness. Her mom was only with her and had nothing else in her hands or arms so she could have carried the poor kid. At that point I decided they were just wrong.

However, with experience comes a more laid back attitude and an open mind. Now that I have 4 kids, including 20 month old twin boys, I've found personally that I need them for the twins if I'm going to go anywhere there will be crowds. I also understand if someone uses them for a single child. It only takes a second of inattention for a toddler to wander off and if you child is a "wanderer" or a "bolter", it is better safe than sorry.

One more thing, I use the harnesses a lot and we occasionally get a "look." However, not one of those people has said anything about the harnesses within my hearing. We do however receive lots of positive comments.

Answer 3

I'll admit, when I saw a kid on a leash, I was the first one to think, I would NEVER use one on my own child. s/he is not a dog!

Well, I now have two kids, one that runs off like there is no tomorrow. I have to hold him if I don't want him to get run over by a car. My arms are so tired and my back is killing me.

So you betcha that I have changed my tune! Even though I still don't use a leash, I totally respect anyone else's decision to use one... and I admire their willingness to put their kid's safety above the rude and judgmental responses!

And just wondering.. how is putting your child in a stroller totally fine, but putting him on a leash not? At least when he's on the leash, he can walk and move around. In a stroller, he is stuck there and can't move at all. Yeesh. Don't people have better things to do than to make critical judgments about things that are none of their business?

Answer 4

I see a lot of people (with pro-leash and against leash) talking about using the "leash" to keep toddlers from bolting. Although it helps, the main reason why I use a "leash" on my son is because of people that walk around everyday kidnapping little kids. It only takes one second for you to turn from paying at a register, or getting something from the diaper bag, or tying another child's shoe, to realize that your child is gone. Especially in places like the mall, carnivals, amusement parks, parking lots, etc. I think it is very cautious parenting, not lazy parenting. And if you notice, most of the people that said it was lazy parenting, aren't parents.

Answer 5

No it certainly is not inhumane. I used one for my oldest child. People looked at me like I was crazy sometimes but I didn't care because my child was safe. We cant always carry our kids and sometimes holding an always curious, active little ones hand for any amount of time hurts your lower back. Because of the harness, my child never ran into the street or away from me while walking.

Answer 6

No its not. It is better than making them stay in a stroller where they cant exercise and play. What is inhumane is that the world has come to a point where they cant COMPLETELY exercise and play without fear of them being snatched up. There is nothing lazy about child harnesses, only care and concern for our children with a reality of how the REST of the world is today.
I used to think they were cruel until the first time I my daughter was lost in a crowd. It is a childs nature to run adn play and grow, it is not a lack of discipline for them to do so.

Answer 7

No, it is not inhumane. Nor should it be a substitute for keeping an eye on your child. I would often use one with my toddler if we were in an open area with lots of people. (The fair, a parade, "public" events). A child can get lost SO quickly in a "sea" of legs, and it's easier for them to be snatched away by someone else-in the blink of an eye. I used it more for security reasons, and my daughter seemed to feel more secure, as well. Better safe than sorry:)
P.S. I didn't use the "backpack" style, it went around her wrist & attached by velcro. She never tried to take it off-it made her feel more secure in a crowd yet she had freedom of movement! But if she (or someone else) tried to remove it, I would feel it immediately. Check out various styles for your child.

Answer 8

All of these comments by people saying it's tacky or lazy parenting and that they would never do that really peeve me. I used a leash for my son when he was a toddler when we were in Chicago sight seeing. He was so excited that he didn't want to sit in the stroller and I was afraid of jerking his arm out of it's socket when he darted away from me. It is not inhumane at all! It is a safe, viable way of keeping your child from being hit by a car or being snatched by a pedophile. It also gave him a sense of freedom being on his "own". While staying in Chicago, whenever we were getting ready to go, HE would run and get "the leash" and laugh knowing he was going to get to be out and about. He is now 16 and has not suffered any harm to his emotions. He is a respectful, kind teenager who knows his limits and knows his mom allows him freedom.

Answer 9

I can't tell you how many people come up to me while we are out and ask where I found my child safety harness, which my daughter loves. The puppy "backpack" has a long tail which she holds while out and about. I think its great b/c it teaches the kids to stay with the group. Definitely humane.

Answer 10

I agree that its a good thing. I tried it on my son, it didnt work and I hated useing it but not all kids are the same and some need diffrent approches than the next. I dont think its lazy parenting. I think its safe parenting. The people who think its treating there kid like a dog, what would happen if there kid was kidnapped and used like a dog. Better safe than sorry.