What do you think about putting your toddler on a lease?

Question

I was at a football game a couple of days ago and saw a mother with her 3 or 4 year old child running around harnessed to a leash. I immediately said "OMG! Thats wrong!" but my soon to be mother-in-law and fiancee said that it's actually better for the child because it reduces the risk of him running off or getting snatched.

Do you think its a good thing or a bad thing to do?

Answer 1

I recently saw someone have their child on a leash. Honesty, I think it's mean to do to a child. I can understand why parents do that. I have a toddler myself. But It's just not for me.

Answer 2

You just have to remember children have no fear and no thoughts of consequences.

They see something they want it, their minds don't process that to get it they are going to cross a busy intersection, watch for cars, that leaving mummy/daddy isn't a good idea, that that person offering a puppy might want to hurt them they just want what they want.

Harnesses now come in many designs, the cute backpacks with "parent straps" the wrist only designs. They are more about letting the child explore their surroundings with safety. The child has freedom to walk, but not far enough away to be in danger. The parent has control over the issue.
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The child at the football game might have tried to run down the stand, tripped and fallen down the stairs. Harnesses allow parents to control a select area while giving the child some freedom.
Like all things, if someone saw a $2000 bike just sitting with the keys in the ignition, next to a $2000 bike thats secured they will try for the unsecured bike every time. Theft of anything relys on impulse.

Kids are precious. The original harnesses were more "captive" like and bring about images of dogs/horses on leads. But the new ones are more about keeping kids safe and looking cute.

You can always try and get a toddler to stay in a pram, but that is a battle once they discover the world of walking.
Best of luck

Answer 3

Good thing. They help keep your children safe and they get the added benefit of getting exercise which they lose if they are constantly put in a stroller.

For all those that said they are against it and we should teach our children not to run away or hold their hands or use a stroller.... tell me what to do in my situation then. I have three kids, all a year apart. My middle son is autistic and a bolter. So at one point, they were 3, 2 and 1. My 2 year old was autistic and non-verbal. How am I supposed to hold hands with all of them when I only have two hands? How am I supposed to teach a non-verbal autistic child and a one year old to ALWAYS stay with me and trust completely they will never bolt???? Or a three year old for that matter???? How am I supposed to lug a triple stroller everywhere I go???

If you can safely say you can guarantee my children's safety without a leash, absolutely guarantee it, then I'll stop. But until then, I'm not risking their lives and will use a leash in certain situations. And if you can't make that guarantee then at least stop judging me. Thank you!

Answer 4

I have two children that are two years apart, so I know what it likes having them run here there and everywhere. Mine always went in opposite directions which was always fun...not.

But I have to say I really dont like the leashes, I find it degrading and cruel and just wrong. Kids are not dogs, simple as that.

I can see why parents use the leashes and do understand the need to know your kid is safe and 'attached' to you. And I know how hard it is running after them every 10secs because they get distracted and see something shiny or more intreresting. But still come on a leash!! I'm sorry but no matter how many times I see a parent and child 'leashed' no matter how creative the 'leash' I cant help but feel disgusted.

Do you know how many kids I have seen remove the leash and run off while the parent isnt paying attention? Tonnes, kids are not stupid and will learn how to overcome this hurdle of being tied to a parent. And I find that more dangerous because the parent thinks the kid is safe and attached to them so will become distracted without worrying about the child because the child is on a 'leash'.

Answer 5

Both my children had harness/reins and a wrist lead when they got older. It is much safer and it gives the children their boundaries as well and they like it as they feel safer. Some people were a bit surprised when I took them out for walks but when I was little (a few moons ago) every kid had reins with a harness. The wrist leash is a newer invention but just as good. Its sometimes difficult to be somewhere very busy and keep an eye on a straying youngster. They don't just stand by your side because they are naturally curious! I guess I think its better than losing them.

Answer 6

I really think it's a personal choice, but really if you don't want the kid to run off then keep an eye on them and teach them to stay by your side. My 3 and a half year old and my 20 month old both walk in the shopping centre and we haven't lost them once because they were both taught from an early age to stay next to us. However in the really big cities like sydney you might need one but I would personally never use one of those things on my little girls. I really think it throws off the really "cute" image. But really if someone else uses one of the wrist ones with their kids i don't have a problem but i really do not like the full body ones i think they are rediculous and the parents should have to wear one for a week and see how humiliating it would be for the child. Sorry for ranting and raving but i just can't help it sometimes lol.

Answer 7

It's a definite good thing, especially in crowds or near a street. Toddlers are much faster than you might think, such a "leash" can save their lives. Even the best of moms can take their eyes off of their child for just a second and suddenly the child is *gone* and it doesn't matter if the child took off on their own or was taken. Either way there is heartache.

Answer 8

I think you should be active enough as a parent to watch your children and be prepared to go after them if they attempt to run off. Second, all 3 of my children knew better by age 2 than to run off. Much less 3 or 4.

And lastly, the mother of that child should remember what she did and not cry when her little darling grows up with all sorts of warped fetishes about mommies and bondage.

Answer 9

I have never done this but I really dont think its wrong. Its just keeping your child safe. espesially if they are very active and you have more than one. you could look away for a min or less and look down and your child could be gone.
ok so people want to compare them to dog leashes, well ok with that way of thinking, why would you put your dogs safetey before you childs? I bet all of those people who have had their children wander off and get snatched with they had one.

Answer 10

I always joke about putting my 3 year old daughter on a leash, but after today, I'm seriously considering it. She ran away from me in a parking lot and scared me half to death. I'm having another baby at the end of the month, and a harness sure would make it easier to hang on to her and a baby!!

Answer 11

good thing!! i was babysittingmy friends 3 yr old, my sister in laws 18 month old and i had my 6 month old daughter with me (the amount of dirty looks i got!!! i look about 16 but im 21, every1 assumed they were ALLmine, anywayz...) Mia, the oldest wasn't on a rein and very nearly got hit by a car. i already had Harrison, the 18 month old on reins so when he went to follow it may have hurt when i pulled him bk quite hard (prat going about 70 mph in a 30 zone, didnt have much choice but to yank) but at least he's not in hospital. mia only aviodeda trip to hospital due to a very kind stranger who whisked her up just in time.

when lilly, my daughter is old enough to be walking about, i'll be putting the reins on her. i now wouldnt dream of going out with harrison or mia without the reins.

as for the snatching thing, my sister was snatched when she was about 2. there was a old lady in mothercare who simply picked her up, took her to the customer information point in the milton keynes shopping center who put out a call for mum who clearly ran straight there. apparently the old lady did it all the time as many parents are so greatful they give her money! so if my sister had been wearing the reins, the old lady would never hav got hold of her. thankfully the old lady was harmless but it could hav bin much worse