a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I was at the Greek festival with my Bff and her family last night....

She saw this woman who had her child on one, and she was raving to her how much she loved it.

I hate the things personally.

How do you feel?

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

We have one and like it. We don't use it all that often, but we do use it.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I've always said I would never use one, but I do completely understand the need/purpose. It's scary once they start darting all over the place.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

When I was younger, I thought I would never use them with my kids but would consider using them now if I needed to.

Some kids are just too active and they need their "freedom" without a mom or dad running after them.

I think they can be great in the right setting (mall, Disney, etc...)

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I have considered getting one but so far I haven't REALLY needed it...although when my little one is off and running, I may...

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I used it on vacaation with my son when he was younger. It helped in so thathe did not constantly have to hold my hand. He hated being strapped in a stroller. One of my friends said they could not believe I got a leash for my son. Well, I asked, is strapping them in a stroller half the day better? I have not used it on my dd yet cause she just started walking, but I know someday I will. Watching a four and one year olds in public places is not always easy. I will use it on my upcoming cruise with my little one.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I dont like them, its a child ( person ) on the end of the leash.... A leash is for a dog not a child

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

i have them.. only use them in really crowded places when they want to walk around.


its just me usually!!!

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I love the idea of them, but HATE the way they look, therefore do not own one.

There were many times I wish I had one- since DS walked very early on and wanted to walk around freely. I couldnt bring myself to buy one though.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

Well I never thought I would say this - but we bought one for our upcoming disney trip - on my moms and DH's insistence. DD is 14 months and is VERY headstrong/independent. Until 13 months I never had an issue with DD holding my hand.

Then boom - one day she won't hold ANYONES hand. She is very quick and has no fear nor will she listen. Luckily she doesn't run for the street but at the pool she takes off laughing and running towards the big pool.

I would only use it in a place like disney though. Yesterday in the mall for instance she wanted out and once out she takes off it is in whatever direction she choses right into strollers, people etc. She squeezes into small spaces and then runs away when she gets thru. If you try to grab her hand she rips it away and then either squats and folds her arms or runs away. When we pick her up she kicks, screams etc.

I haven't used it yet - but even with 2-3 people watching her we are still running after her. For everyday that is perfectly fine - but for disney it could be dangerous - she could get hurt or grabbed.

As much as we try to get across she could get hurt at 14 months I think they are still a little young to understand the consequences of running all over.

For me and disney - my fear is with crowds she will run into a stroller or electric wheelchair and get hurt. The backpack harness allows her to have some freedom without getting into trouble or hurt. I wouldn't use if for an everyday situation b.c I really don't like them.

So I vote I don't like them - but I do understand why people use them. - Until I had a child that ran all over I didn't like them and swore I would never use them. It is hard to say never until you are in that situation.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I have one, and I like it much better than a harness with a lead. This way I have the option to use the lead or not, also, he can put his cars in it. So its fun for him!

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I have a Nervous Nelly, I don't feel I need one.

Hasn't this been a huge drama post in the past?

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE these things. I think they seem like you have your child on a leash like an animal.
That being said, I think we need one for Ava when we're out Seriously! It's one of those things that I think is hard to understand the purpose of unless you think your child would be safer with it, ya know?

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

My DH REFUSES to let me use one! i had one with my 2nd DD and i really needed it my forst 2 are a year apart and i was a single mom for a long time. and i just didnt have enough hands! We are going to disney in july and i plan on getting one for my youngest she will be 1 1/2 (and possibly my 3 yo depending on how she holds hands and how she sits in the stroller.

i think the saftey of our kids is more important than what people think. God only gave me 2 hands and sometimes we/I need help.

Message edited 9/6/2008 9:18:06 AM.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I can see why people would use it for places like Disney.

Jack is all over the place but I just don't think I could ever use one. Just me personally!

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I'd use one in certain circumstances...like really crowded places maybe

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I always said i would never use one, but with dd who is very active and doesnt like to be in the stroller, i think about it sometimes, but dont know if i will ever get one. Mostly bc anywhere really crowded i go to, i have dh or someone else with me.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

Posted by KateDevine

Hasn't this been a huge drama post in the past?

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

Posted by KristinasMama

Posted by KateDevine

Hasn't this been a huge drama post in the past?

Yeah it has been.... I'm just trying to get the consensus, so I'm hoping it doesn't take that route again.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

We have one- the monkey. We don't use it often. My DD hates the stroller, and tries to climb out of it, and I'd love to let her walk more at the mall. She is freakishly fast for such a young kid.

Part of why I don't use it is because I just don't feel like the comments I'd probably get from people about treating my kid like a dog, when she is actually happier and more free out of the stroller, and partly because I am still very nervous with her on it.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I have one and we use it at least once a week.

We live in the city and DD refuses to sit in the stroller most of the time now. It's my extra security that she won't dart out in the street or through a crowd of people.

I don't use it as a leash. I keep her right next to me and not on the end of the leash holding her back. We are trying to teach her to walk next to us and not dart off, not that it's safe to walk as far away from us as possible.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I hated them. Then I've seen the good in them. Some kids are runners.

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

Re: a poll... do you like those backpack/leashy things?

I don't like the idea of having your child on a leash but I guess if you really can't keep your child close to you or make them hold your hand I can understand using them. I personally wouldn't use one. If DD doesn't want to listen then she doesn't get the freedom to walk around, she goes in a stroller. I don't like the idea of "leashing" my child.