What are your thoughs on baby leashes?!?
or harnesses, I recently bought my 18 month old one, I feel a little embarrased sometimes but I do it for her safety, Last month she ran out in front of a car and her grandma yanked her by the arm and pulled her arm out of socket so now im afraid to even touch her arm! My daughter likes to walk and she's too heavy to carry, Ive heard people say how degrading they are and mean but I feel its ok since its for her protection, what are your thoughts, (only serious ones please)
Excuse me destiny?! But I am grateful to my mother in law, I'd much rather she hurt her arm then get hit by a car! And no my child wont hold my hand she's a baby! She wants to run around, so if your not going to be helpful to my question why dont you go answer someon elses question!
To all you people who said that a leash is for a dog and to either teach your kid to stay by your side or use a stroller do not take their young children for walks.
It is hard for a young child to understand that running infront of a car is dangerous. It is even harder for them to "hear" even the best of parents that tell them no, stop or any other appropriate word of caution.
It is not at all comfortable or natural for a young child to "hold hands" all the time when walking. If you are tall it can actually become painful. When they don't have to stretch to hold your hand they are old enough to not need a leash and be able to mind you. This can be anywhere between 2 and 4.
It is a GREAT idea for any child under the age of 2 to be leashed or harnessed when they are in a place the that can slip out of your hand and get hurt or kidnapped. Be it the sidewalk, supermarket or amusement park.
Also there is NO exercise benefit or independence for a child in a stroller. Not to say that they won't like it.
For people that don't have access to large areas that their children can run about, a walk around the block or through the mall is great for them. It lets them explore things and help promote an active lifestyle.
Any parent that does think that a leash is degrading should also remember that these are little people that poop in their pants, suck on bottles and scream and throw themselves on the floor when they don't get their way.
The degrading part is to the parent who is more worried about their image than that of their childs safety.
I think they're a great idea for busy supermarkets, etc. Definitely a lot better than yanking on her arm!!
I think they are okay, especially if you are going to a very busy place such as an amusement park, or the fair. I think it is apporiate for ages 2-4. After that they should be able to stay with without a problem.
baby leashes are not good. kids are not dogs. If your child is walking out into the street and walking away from you, you need to take control as a parent. If your kids dont listen to you, you need to become strict with them. It may seem hard at first but it will help them later on in life. make sure that when your with your child you know where he/she is at ALL TIMES! hope this helped
If she likes to walk and is too heavy to carry, I would say it is worth it safety-wise. I think the ones that have the "leashes" attached to little backpacks are the cutest, and least degrading. It just looks like you have a string attached to your kid's backpack so you can keep them close.
I am a fan of those things, I don't care how they look, I'm planning on using one when the time comes – my baby is only 6 months old- I don't care if others don't like it, I will do it for my child's safety
well first off..your mother (or mother in law) was out of line for being that hard on her grandchild…second of all…can't you hold your childs hand??? or put her in a stroller?? My husband said we were NOT going to get a leash because we didnt have a dog ..we have a child…so I would either use a stroller or a buggy…now as my daughter has gotten older..I make her hold my hand AT ALL TIMES..I'm a paranoid mother and I'm just doing what I can to know that she is with me and safe.
I Think that tis a good idea to want to keep your daugther safe. Explain to her that she must stay close to mommy at all times becuase there are people and things out there that won't stop for a little girl. So Yes, in heavy traffic, or populated areas ( example mall.) Use the harness.
I Think it is a good idea. I would use one. Who cares what other people think. She is your child, and she is being rasied the way you want her to be rasie.
My daughter loves to walk too, so I walk right next to her. If we're at the mall, grocery store, where ever we may land, she is in the cart or stroller. Period.
She can run and play at home in the backyard or out front with lots of supervision, aka me being right next to her.
i think harness are no good for babies, when we are walking near or along the road i'd carry my son and not letting him run around, even if i were to go shopping in supermarket, its no harm going there a few more times to get your shopping list done rather than having a leash on your beloved child. its degrading of same age toddlers staring at your baby with leash..Do things in a caring way, be more alert, prevention is better than cure
parental voice control is better —— even my DOG is
under voice control, she's on a leash as required by law.
I think it is a wonderful thing to do. My kids are now 12 and 8 but they both had them when they were little. I now have a step son 3 and he has one when we go out. it is the only way to keep your children safe in this unsafe world. Do not let other people make you feel bad about trying to keep your child safe.
a 2 year old i babysit for has one attached to a backpack, that way she doesnt feel so restrained & its less degrading
when we go for a walk (she has one because she likes to run around & its for her protection) i tell her to go get her big girl backpack (because her older bother has on for school) & she gets excited so i think its safe & she is not like a dog.
I wouldn't use one everyday, but if I go to an Amusement Park or Disneyland, for example, I would absolutely use it.
Check out target. They have cute leashes that look like animal backpacks. I had people give mean looks when I used the basic Elmo harness, but with the puppy backpack people would stop to tell me how cute it was!
They are totally fine, and ignore anyone that tells you otherwise! Your child's safety comes first, and frankly I don't see any difference between using a harness or a stroller. In fact a harness is better as it allows the child to get exercise by walking instead of getting pushed around all day. And its uncomfortable for a small child to hold an adults hand all day, never mind an 18 month old won't hold hands well.
99% of people that are against harnesses usually don't have kids anyways. Good luck!!
my daughter is not walking yet but when we go anywhere i put a wrist leash on her. if it takes a child snatcher an extra 10 seconds to unclasp her wrist leash (it hooks together like a belt) that gives me 10 seconds to save my daughter. i have had complete strangers try to belittle me in public over this telling me its degrading but i dont care and you shouldnt either. this is your child and you do what you need to keep her safe!!!
I don't think it's the child's chose whether they walk or not. I don't have anything against the leashes but, I do think it stops them from learning what they are and aren't suppose to do.
I have one for my son. I don't see anything wrong with using them as long as they aren't the only means of keeping your child close. I keep it around my wrist and hold his hand when we walk around. I thought that I would feel awkward / embarrassed using it, but I don't. It adds another layer of protection for my child, and no amount of negative looks or comments from others will make me take away that added protection. My child is too important for that.
i understand your reasoning but best to teach her to stay away from danger, and if the yard is not fenced, get it fenced if the road is very dangerous, i think they are horrible, my child is not a dog, i will not treat them like one, i also don't use strollers or playpens
I think it's a great idea. Those people who might say otherwise have not had to deal with a child that is always running away. These people will see you with your child and make faces or comments about the leash, but if your child were to get hit by a car or stolen it will be you that will have to bear the brunt of it not them. What maters here is your childs safety, don't worry so much about what others have to say. No matter what you do people will try to find fault. You have to live your life by what works best for you, not them. Hey, maybe get yourself a few t-shirts that say "I will keep my child safe, no matter what you think of me" or "a tether on my child says I could not live without him".
I love the answers from the people who VERY CLEARLY do not have a small child.
Yes, OF COURSE, you're supposed to be in control of your child and she should listen to everything you say. A parent knows that this isn't always possible. If it were, we'd all be well-rested, well-fed mothers with clean houses and satisfied husbands.
Use the leash. Set a timeline to get rid of it (whether it's a month or a year).
It's better to get some stupid comments or looks than to have an injured child.
Plus…little kids aren't "degraded" by them. They look like stuffed animals!
I think they are awesome! They allow the child to be independant and safe at the same time! Don't worry about what other people do- think about what is best for you and your child! Good Luck! My niece had an elmo one she loved!!
I have put my little one on a little backpack leash. His is a monkey with an extra long tail. He does like to hold my hand like a good boy but sometimes just has the urge to run to look over here or look over there. I feel it gives them a little freedom but not too much. I agree it is also great for those who arent yet old enough to listen to a "STOP" command to stay out the street and those that just dont like to hold hands (I have a friend who has one of those). I think for whatever the needs are of your child, you should accomidate them accordingly and not worry what others say. I would rather have a happy child who wants to explore his surroundings under safe supervision than a child who has to restrained in a stroller or carried. I understand there is dicipline attached to that but certain kids just dont know the meaning of "no" or "stop". Besides, they are small toddlers, they dont know that a leash is degrading. They dont associate it that way. For those to say its degrading, they need to get on the level of a toddler and ask them how they feel about a backpack that looks like a monkey and mommy gets to hold that monkey's tail. I'm sure they will think the whole situation is just fine!!!!
Your child isnt a dog, leaches are for DOGS!!!! have you tried the idea of getting a stroller.
These answers make me laugh! 20 years ago I literally used a dog leash and clipped it to the back of my daughter's overalls. They didn't have 'baby leashes' then. Boy, did I ever get the dirty looks and the comments. But I also had a newborn that I carried, and I was much happier letting my toddler walk and explore her world than keeping her right next to me at all times. I also didn't have a stroller, preferring to have my kids either be carried or walk. They seemed to have grown up healthy and fine. I say, whatever works for you go for it. At least you won't be the only one with a child on a leash like I was.
I don't think that it should matter what other people think. They are not in your situation and therefore should keep their comments and stares to themselves. If that is what it takes to keep your daughter safe than by all means do it. I bought one for my son to use during a trip to an amusement park but he couldn't stand it so we never used it. But quite honestly, I was really concerned about what other people would think. But now they have cute backpacks that serve the same purpose except they don't look as bad as connecting that leash onto the hand or clothes. I've seen some that are really cute and the kids don't seem to mind wearing one either. Its a personal choice and if it helps to keep her from running in the street than I would do it.
Prior to becoming a parent I was against the use of "leashes" . I always thought just hold your kids hand, how hard is that. Well that theory has come back to bite me in the behind with my 13 month old son who LOVES to walk around. He's been walking since just shy of 9 months and now is at the point where he's beyond walking and starting to run.
Some will say to simply keep your child in a stroller and what exercise for your little one does that do when you go out and about. The idea is to allow ample time for your little one to burn off energy, sitting in a stroller won't do that.
Also those who say just hold your little ones hand, don't give in, you are the parent and just set your way. you can hardly set your way as your child is throwing a fit because you are holding their hand…my son screams and cries when I hold his hand…he likes to be Mr. Independent. Deemed a bad thing on him by others but as him mom I view it as an excellent trait. It's so hard to teach them why they have to hold your hand..they don't understand at such a young age and if they only way to keep your little one safe when out in public is to use the leash then might as well do that because if you dont and something happens then that will be looked down upon. Do what you feel is right and don't let any stranger or other person tell you you are wrong.
I know exactly how you feel.
I hated the idea of these leashes and thought it looked ridiculous to have children in them.
My first two children (both boys) were very well behaved and did as they were told. They held my hand when necessary and if my hands were full they walked beside me.
However … I now have a 15 month old daughter and she is of a very different temperment and personality than my sons. As she is in the pram most of the time we are out I haven't had a problem but it has crossed my mind that I may have to buy her one of these leashes once she wants to spend less time in the pram. I just can't trust that she is going to listen to me and not run off.
I have heard of a new type of leash for kids that looks like a backpack and straps onto the child and I am going to look into these.
You can't worry about what other people are going to think. Obviously you wouldn't be thinking about using a leash for your daughter unless it was for a safety reason and necessary to keep her safe and you sane and less stressed.
We all have opinions about things but sometimes those opinions change when you are actually put in a position to have to deal with things on a personal level. LOL … Once upon a time I was also one of those first time mums that was adamant that I wasn't going to have my baby using a dummy (pacifier) … LOL … my first born had one before we even left the hospital and so did both of my other children.
You have to do what feels right and what makes you feel less stressed!
Use the leash and know that you are being a responsible and loving mum
This was really an issue when my little sister was a toddler. My grandparents called it a dog leash…that was 20+ years ago, so they have been around for some time. Back then they went around the kids hand, now they have harnesses.
I now have a 17 month old and just bought him a cute little "leash", it's actually a monkey backpack that you attach the handle to. The have dogs, bears and such. The sell them for around $20 or cheaper at Walmart, Target or any kids store.
My take on them is that a child shouldn't have to be tied down to a stroller all day if shopping or at the park or where ever. If you have ever had a kid run and hide from you in a store, you'd never think twice about buying one.
Kids are in car seats then strollers or highchairs and are constantly tied down, this gives them some freedom with out Mom or Dad or poor grandparents having to worry about them or chase them.
When it comes to a leash for a child, there are two schools of thought. On one hand it is an outstanding move because a child does not feel so encumbered. The child is able to feel more excitement yet at the same time knowing there is limit to this freedom. This works well because it is a mutual benefit to child and parent.
On the other side of the coin, it is also important to teach a child to learn to hold their parent’s hand when outside of the house. A child must know they have certain parameters they must learn to respect for their own good and solid family values.
In essence, both sides of the coin are correct. No one idea is correct, there is a need to exercise BOTH. A problem with many people today is that the leash becomes a habit and can easily cause a loss of important attention a child needs if one is not careful.