What's with these people who have their kids on a leash?

Question

Has anyone else out there seen this crap? I saw some woman at the mall with a two-year old (I'm guessing), and had a little harness with a leash attached, like her kid was a dog! Holy crap! I think if someone has THAT big of a problem keeping their kid under control, either put them in a stroller or leave them at home. That leash demeans everyone involved.
Your thoughts?
I would especially love to hear from these wonderful parents that practice this form of parenting. Such skill!

Keep it coming, parents! Your sense of self-importance by being a parent is absolutely entertaining! Lucky for most folks it doesn't require a license.

Special needs?!? Gosh, I just love that term. What lazy-minded dingus thought that up? Proof that language is meant to obfuscate truth rather than convey the real meaning of things.....

How much independence can a child develop if they are continuously tethered to their parent? Can't have it both ways, people--you're only fooling yourselves believing that.

Oracle of Ohio--don't you DARE cast aspersions on my mother! You know neither her nor I! I just happen to have a VERY low threshold for bullcrap, which is why you are being reported. Chew on that for a while, female dog.....

Answer 1

My Mom had FIVE children, four of them boys. All of us are 3 years apart. She never had to use a leash, she used the back of her hands if we didn't listen. Never once did any of us kids get lost. We all held hands and made a "kid chain". We thought it was fun! Whoever let go had to do an extra chore. Imagine shopping with 5 kids from 1 to 11 years old... whew, bless her heart, she had the courage of a lioness and the patience of a saint. All of us kids are well adjusted, happy kids. I did, and still do see, kids on leashes, and feel bad for them. Call them puppy packs if you want, but they are leashes. My dog is even rarely on a leash. (but we live on a farm, so, no need).

Answer 2

I'm one of those leash moms. I have 4 kids and didn't need one until the wild one came along, the baby. It's for the kids safety. Some kids are wound up a little more than others and will run off constantly. Kids like this have no interest in a stroller. This is less about "controlling" a child and more about their safety. While our older three were very calm and well behaved children, the last one was the polar opposite. He's a good kid it just took him a little longer to learn self control. Leaving kids at home isn't realistic plus how can they learn to behave in public unless you take them out? I used the harness with my son from the time he could walk until age 3. He is now very well behaved in public (usually) and doesn't run off. People who don't understand this idea have never had a child that was constantly on the go. The harness gave him the ability to walk off some energy while not feeling caged up in a stroller. It's not demeaning at all, it's just a good solution for hyper, semi claustrophobic kids. I also teach my children not to judge, a lesson your mother obviously wasn't able to pass along to you. :)

Answer 3

Well, I have never used one and I have 5 kids. However, in an airport, bust mall, etc.. especially THIS time of year. A small one can get lost so easily. And don't judge. Especially if you are not a parent and have never lost a child. Having that child on a leash, is certainly far better than having them abducted, raped, strangled and then dumped someplace. Just search the internet for stories like this and you will see, it is much more common than you think. And every person is different, some people have trouble multi-tasking ( watching the child and shopping) Everyones brain has a different thought process and if they know that they are not able to keep a keen eye on the child, then they are being a responsible parent by putting him or her on a leash. Don;t criticize the parents putting their child on a leash.. criticize the ones who are letting their kids run wild without a clue as to where they are.

Answer 4

So, I take it you have toddlers, because it really is just that easy.

You know, it's a lot more dangerous (and a sign of even worse parenting skills) if you just let your kids go and lose one of them, one gets hurt, or they get kidnapped.

Of course, leaving the child at home is a good idea. I mean, parents should just put their kids down for a nap, then run errands. Totally legal, as long as you're back by the time they wake up, right? I'm really getting sick of people who aren't and who haven't ever been in that situation saying parents should "just leave their kids at home." That is NOT an option for a lot of parents and a lot of situations. THAT is what you do with dogs.

I didn't use one of the harnesses with either of my kids. They were in the stroller, the cart, or they held my hand. But I'm not going to judge a parent who takes that extra measure to make sure their child doesn't get lost.

It might seem like it's demeaning, in your eyes, but you know what a lot of the toddlers who have those things are thinking? They don't have to sit in a stroller, they get to be a big kid and walk! They're happy about it because the other option is usually not something a typical toddler wants to do. How can something be demeaning to all involved if it's something that is preferred by all involved?

Answer 5

There are some people in this world that will complain if kids are running around, will complain if kids are in a harness, will complain if kids talk in anything more then a whisper and then will complain if the kids don't talk properly to them.

Some people judge everyone except themselves.

Unless you've had a special needs child (perhaps a child with autism) don't judge anybody. Kids with autism are very difficult to teach those types of skills to when they are young. Better a harness then a coffin.

Answer 6

I don't use one, but I think you are incredibly judgemental. 2 year olds are unpredictable. It would be very easy for one to catch sight of something, run off, and get lost in a crowd. And as for leaving them home, well lucky for you that you can afford a baby sitter everytime you have to run errands or clothes shop, etc. Many kids also get very restless sitting in a stroller for a long time. I hardly get out myself, but have you tried hunting through a store while trying to keep tabs on your 2 year old who's hand you can't hold. If they run around the store, people get mad. If they are making a ruckus in the stroller, people get mad. It is called the terrible 2s for a reason-duh! And heaven forbid if you punish them in public now a days. Someone will call CYS. So what exactly do you expect people to do? And God forbid if your kid gets snatched. But I suppose that you think being tortured and killed is less demeaning than a little strap. My mom had to use one breifly for my brother. He never cared. He wasn't scarred for life. For heaven sake, get over it! I'm so sick of people who think every little thing is going to cause a kid permanent psycological damage. That's demeaning!!

Answer 7

Ok, so let's let the kids run wild. Do you also think there should be no discipline other that "That wasn't nice."? As one who was in retailing for meny years, I appreciate parents caring enough about the merchandise for which I am responsible to keep their children under some kind of control.

On a lighter note, the plastic coils used can create problems of their own, such as the mother of twins who ended up with her hands tied together behind her back.

Answer 8

This is quite a controversial subject. I myself wouldn't fathom using a harness, but keep in mind, there are parents out there who have children who just don't understand the concept of STAY put or HOLD my hand. Those parents make a very difficult decision to use a harness and don't need to be judged by people.

It beats having your child run out into traffic and possibly be killed, or into a huge public place and possibly be nabbed by a kidnapper.

You don't leave your children at home and let them vegetate at home just because they might have autism or some other condition that might make them run out into a dangerous place. That would just be cruel. And strollers don't fit larger children.

It's sad that people are still so very judgemental about something like this. Consider yourself lucky that you don't have a child who has such severe behavioral issues that make him/her run out of parents' reach.

Self-importance? What would YOU do if you had a child with severe autism or some other condition that made him/her not understand danger?
*sigh*... A few minutes with a child like that would benefit you and possibly make you into a compassionate person.

You're proving yourself to be a moron, plain and simple. You just don't get it, do you? No... morons normally don't. :) It would be wonderful if you could learn a lesson. Perhaps one day God will bless you with a child who just doesn't understand.
LOL about wanting to report someone who is telling the truth. It's okay for YOU to cast judgements, yet it's not okay for others. Yes, I see where your mother made a mistake.

Answer 9

Would you rather see that same child run off and get hit and killed by a car or kidnapped when someone in a busy crowd pushes the mom and snatches the kid? Get real. I had one for my 18 month old when I was pregnant and couldn't keep up with him. He ran out in the street and almost got hit by a car. Sorry, but I would rather have him on a HARNESS (They are NOT called Child Leashes) than get killed. A stroller is not always a good option, especially in a busy mall at holiday time.

Answer 10

We use a "puppy backpack" with our 2 year old son. He loves feeling like a big kid when he doesn't have to ride in a stroller. The main reason we use it is because we go to Disney World alot and sometimes, it is just so crowded that it is difficult to travel through the traffic with a stroller.