leashes for kids agree or not?

Question

ok i think putting leashes on kids is degrating and treating them like a dog. i would never do it but my husband thinks it's ok. so i got to wondering what other people think. if i see someone in walmart with them i can't help but look in amazement and to how parents belittle their kids. i get kids get lost but hold their hands or put them in a stroller or get a basket with a car attached. has anyone ever used one or would anyone use one and how would you explain it to others like me who don't understand.

all i can say is "wow" i never expected so many responses and views ans opinions. thanks to everyone i will get eventually finish reading them all. i guess it's a good logic and reason behind the idea i just wish there were a better way to make it work rather then a leash. i know kids are very hyper and some are hard to keep up with but in my moms case it inspired her to lose alot of weight. her reasoning was asking herself if we ran into the street could she run to catch us. thanks for all the answers and different views.

Answer 1

I personally have never used one, but I do see the point to them. They keep the child safe, and next to their mom at all times.

Honestly when you are shopping do you like watching the kids run all over the place knocking stuff down and screaming? I would much rather them all be attached to their moms. Maybe we should enforce a kid leash law so we stop getting tripped at the mall.

Usually I put my kids directly into the cart when i get to the store so I know where they are and they aren't bugging other customers. However i have three kids so it all depends on how much room I need for groceries and if there are other people around to help corral them.

Answer 2

It's probably the most fabulous invention of all time. Not only can you keep your child safe, but they have freedom and can look around and explore while remaining completely safe. Have you ever tried to make a child hold your hand constantly or try to keep them in the stroller when all they want to do is get out and look around? I think the kiddie leashes are not degrading and are part of responsible parenting. Too many children have been lost in stores, zoos, fairs, malls in a blink of an eye because mom turned around to look at something. It doesn't take long for a child to get away and I know this from first hand experience. My mother used a leash before leashes were even popular because my baby sister would split as soon as there was that smallest opportunity. Even if you trust your child to stay near you it is way to easy for some freak to just snatch your child before you know it. I would rather they were attached to me by a leash than take that chance. People who think it is cruel obviously don't have children or are unfamiliar with the nature of a curious child. People who use leashes are not cruel, what they are is concerned for the safety of their children.

EDIT: After having read each and every response I still assert that those who are against the leash/harness either don't have children or are so Authoratarian that their children have no freedom what so ever. Any child, not just children with ADHD or autism, can dart away or become abducted in a moments notice. Those of us who choose to use the leash are not lazy and pretty much only use the leash when in crowded places. For the people who are worried about the child's social lives and being degraded I have just one comment...We are talking about toddlers here, not grade schoolers...Get real. Also, I am neither ashamed nor do I really care what anyone thinks because I always knew where my toddlers were and have never had to go screaming through a crowd to find one. And another thing, my children were never treated like animals and do not act like animals inspite of being on a kiddie leash from time to time.

Answer 3

Some people on here that havent seen the leashes.There not actually dog leashes with a collar around their neck or anything,its a backpack on their back with a leash,its not like your dragging them around.Also,kids are smaller than adults,imagine how tired there arm must get holding it above their head holding your hand the whole time,the "leash" gives them some sort of freedom to walk with you without wandering off to far.I dont have one for my child,i have seen them being used and i dont think any less of that person,I dont use one only for the fact that im doing a quick grocery shopping and dont want to stroll.I put my son in the stroller or buggy to make it go quicker. Its not really about not disciplining your child,you cant trust anyone, They could be next to one minute and gone the next,its all about safety.

Answer 4

Here we go again...

I myself could never fathom using one on my children. However, there are parents out there who have to make a very difficult decision to use one. Many kids with certain conditions such as severe autism and such do NOT UNDERSTAND the concept of "Stay here with me", "HOLD MY HAND"... etc... There are children who are too large for a stroller and for the carts.

In those cases, the harness is the best thing to have. The parents needn't hear judgemental remarks from others b/c they don't have a clue as to what they deal with. These children will so easily run off into the street as if nothing will happen. They can so easily be grabbed without warning in a huge public place.

So, does this explain it well enough to you? Perhaps a day with a very autistic child would help you understand more, and then you can see what a parent who has such a child lives with day in/day out.

Answer 5

Firstly, they aren't leashes, they are harnesses. There is a difference. A leash is attached to a collar around an animals neck. A harness is the same type of thing they use for bungee jumping a rock climbing. Its a SAFETY tool.

I use one and I don't explain it to ANYONE. Frankly, because its none of yours or anyone else's business. I'm doing what works for me, you do what works for you. I don't give you strange looks because you DON'T use one, so why should you give me harsh looks because I do? None of us are worthy of judging anyone else.

When you have 3 kids under the age of three at Wal-mart by yourself, you'll do whatever is necessary to keep them safe. I'd rather get nasty looks from people like you than for some crazy person to come up and snatch my child while I'm giving the baby his bottle or grabbing some lunch meat from the cooler.

BTW - Where I live, they don't offer shopping carts that can accommodate a newborn, an 18 month old and a 3 year old. I CAN'T put them all in a shopping cart. I also can't push the shopping cart AND a stroller when I'm by myself. What else would you propose that I do?

Answer 6

I had a backpack that had a leash attached, I used it a couple times for my son.

He was not shy in the least and so independent. He would walk right up to a stranger and start following them. I got tired of chasing him around the stores so I got this backpack.

The first time I used it he thought it was cool. the second time I used it he cried and pulled so hard on it that he fell and scraped his knee. So I threw it away and dealt with dragging a stroller around.

In no way did I think it degraded him when he wore it, it just wasn't for him. He certainly did not look like a dog!

Answer 7

Personally, I would rather see a child on a safety harness than strapped into a stroller. Strollers are wonderful for when a child and/or parent is tired and needs to rest, but they are a far greater restraint for an active child. A harness allows a child a bit of room to explore their environment, and allows parents more freedom as well.

I found it hard to stoop over to hold a small child's hand. Much better to put a harness on their back with a 2-foot lead that allowed us all room to move!

Answer 8

What about a father who is 6'6" and has a very short daughter? who lives in terror of her being abducted.
To protect my daughter I would put her in chains if I could.
She is 4 years old and wants to look around or I would carry her. do you have any idea how difficult it would be to hold her hand? Try holding your arm straight up for hours that is painful and cruel. So I got a small harness that some child abductor could not get her out of. You turn your head one minute and they are gone. So don't put a leash on your daughter and yours will be the one kidnapped not mine.
I think people who don't use one are taking a big chance.
why not in the grocery cart strapped in? We have a 6 month old baby in the cart. Which my wife never takes her eyes off her. In this wicked world you cannot leave your children to chance. Ever go in the rest room in the back of Wal Mart?
It has a big wall of photo's of children that have been abducted and kidnapped. It makes my hair stand on end.
I want my daughters first experience with sex to be after she graduates college and gets married. Not some prevert down the block.

Answer 9

I agree that a harness and/or leash is not the way to treat a child, but sometimes it's unavoidable. If you have a hyperactive child that refuses to obey instructions and gets lost on a regular basis, then a harness might be the best solution in such a case. It's less stress on the parents to know where their child is instead of having to spend long periods of time searching for them in a crowded mall.

Answer 10

its definitely a personal choice. My husband is totally against them. But when you have a 2 year old who does not wish to ride in stroller and you are at a fair or something. The leashes are wonderful to be able to carry a soad and a burger and the child is right there. They do make cute ones that are like backpacks. My son doesn't mind.