Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

I dont see what the big deal about them is and why people would judge. DS is very independent and refuses to hold my hand and loves to dash. Do I have a harness - NO. Would I get one if I was in a crowded place for peace of mind. - YES.

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

Personally, I don't like the look of them at all, but I wouldn't condemn people for using them. DS doesn't like to hold our hands, though generally, we're not in places too crowded or if we are, he just has to ride in his stroller.

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

I have used them, in places like Disney. I kept it tied around both of our belt loops, even when I was carrying him/her or hold their hands. Not only am I scared they can break free, but there are also some crazy people in this world.

I care enough to put a leash on my dog, why would I not do the same for my CHILD?

ETA: I have had many comments made to me, right to my face. The most memorable was when I was 8 months pregnant with Billy and took Genevieve to the aquarium. She couldnt see the tanks from the stroller, I couldnt bend to hold her hand (she was only 14 months) and I was not carrying her with that huge belly. Some old lady was like "Look at this one. She's so lazy she has her child on a leash". You can bet that I gave her a piece of my mind.

Message edited 3/11/2009 12:54:13 PM.

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

DS is only 3 months old so I have no idea what he'll be like when he walks. I hope I don't have to use one, but DS's safety comes first and I'll use a backpack one if necessary.

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

In general, I dont use one. I do have one and a definite necessity. I dont think you need to use it all the time but keeping my dd safe is my biggest concern...not what people think. I did use it in disneyworld and I SHOULD HAVE used it in the airport. My dd decided while me and my husband were putting the car seat and the stroller and the luggage etc on the conveyor belt, to make a fast dash through the airport. I could see her about 10 ft away trying to RUN RUN RUN... I think I would have looked 10xs worse if she were lost at that airport and I was on the news vs me just putting it on her for 30 minutes. Totally not against it...my advice...be safe!

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

I hate the idea of them, and I cringe every time I see one ........but I can totally and completely understand why a parent would use one ........


I wish they made something that didnt' look like you had your kid on a leash .......In once sense I think it's a great idea to keep your kid safe, but I can't get the idea out of my mind that I walk my dog on a leash .......I know that's stupid - but it's just the visual I have ........

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

I have not read all the answers. But I was always one of those "I will never leash my child" people until I had my second child. My fearless child who thought it was FUNNY to hide on me while we were out places. I harnessed him while we were on vacation at Hershey Park because I was NOT going to lose him. I figured I would rather get a few nasty looks than lose my child. As he got older, we have retired it. His was a little teddy bear backpack thing.

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

I didn't realize this was going to become such a long discussion when I first read this thread,lol. I guess I just didn't know it was such a big deal.
It's just a harness that was MADE FOR KIDS. It's not like you put it on their neck and drag them around. It's a cute backpack(the ones they make now) and most kids actually love them, you can even remove the "leash". Just bc a child is wearing one it doesn't mean that parents are not going to keep their eye on them or they are going to neglect the child. It's just something that gives you peace of mind and gives a child little bit more freedom in certain situations. Kids under 2 have a hard time understanding the concept of staying close to their parents or holding hands in which case the harness comes in very handy and is veeery helpful.

Message edited 3/11/2009 3:39:09 PM.

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

i would use one. once my kid wants to start running around i think it is a good idea to be able to still keep them close.

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

no I wouldnt use one.

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

I never liked them- before -just the whole "Leash" thing troubled me --not even sure why--just the concept that it didn't seem right..... but now I can understand how they could be very helpful . I would use one if I felt it would keep my child safer, especially at a place like Disney. I don't really care what people say about me at all and I wouldn't look down on anyone who was for or against them, to each his own....lots of people do things different than I ever would with my DS...doesn't make them right or wrong, just different approaches...

Re: Do you use or would you use harness( leash type thing) for yoru toddlers

I will admit, I never liked them before I became a Mom. And luckily so far, DS is 2 1/2 and I have never found the need to use one yet (DS is really agreeable and holds my hand in public and/or still will sit in the stroller..)

BUT one thing I have learned since being a Mom is to 'never say never' ...

Message edited 3/11/2009 6:38:38 PM.