Originally Posted by erickajm (Post 2365677)

The argument could be made the same with strapping your child into a stroller...How many times have you strapped your kid in because you were in a hurry and didn't want to take the time out to walk at their pace? Or were shopping and strapped them in so you didn't have to wonder if they were roaming off...same thing essentially. I have seen many toddlers crying because they just wanted to get out of the stroller and be able to explore, which is natural for children...This is where the "leash" comes in handy. I see nothing wrong with it at all.

Originally Posted by erickajm (Post 2365677)

I had the same opinion about them when I had my oldest son, who was pretty close to being a perfect baby/toddler.;) I would not have thought about using one....then 6 years later came my youngest, red head....who decided at 8 months to not just walk but walk very fast. I didn't use one on him either...but should have. I think they are a great invention! The argument could be made the same with strapping your child into a stroller...How many times have you strapped your kid in because you were in a hurry and didn't want to take the time out to walk at their pace? Or were shopping and strapped them in so you didn't have to wonder if they were roaming off...same thing essentially. I have seen many toddlers crying because they just wanted to get out of the stroller and be able to explore, which is natural for children...This is where the "leash" comes in handy. I see nothing wrong with it at all.

Originally Posted by yorkiekist (Post 2365374)

I think the child leash thing is sad.:( And its a sad statement of how our world has changed. There are so many child molesters/sex offenders out there now, especially looking for their next victom in a crowded mall. I think it would be easy for a mom to get distracted now a-days. So I guess its kind of a safety thing.

Originally Posted by rayray08 (Post 2365420)

But a shopping mall (maybe find a baby sitter) or the grocery store. EHHH I don't agree with it. Maybe you could even shop online. ;)

Originally Posted by piptickle (Post 2365501)

I have 4 children two are toddlers, one 18 month old still in a pushchair and a 2 3/4 year old. I use a backpack with a strap with my older toddler. This is why;
The main reason we use leashes with our dogs is to protect them from harm, IMO dogs are easier to train than stubborn toddlers so are we lazy when we use leashes on our dogs? As much as I love my dogs my children are far more precious to me and it seems obvious to me to protect my children in this way.
There was a story on the news here in the UK (last year I think) of a mother in a similar situation to me with a child in a pram and a toddler walking. They came to cross the road and the toddler must have seen something across the road and ran out, there was a lorry coming so instinctively the mother ran out to save her toddler, and did. Unfortunately in her panic she didn't have time to put the brake on the pushchair which rolled into the road and her baby died an horrific death! Going further back there's the story of Jamie Bulger, a toddler who was abducted in a busy shopping mall whilst walking next to his mother. He was sexually assaulted, mutilated and murdered in a sick and twisted manner by two 12 year old boys!

Toddlers can be stubborn,disobidient and regulary act out against their parents, its part of growing up and I DO teach my children how to behave especially in public. These straps/reins/leashes whatever you want to call them should be used as training aids and children should still be taught alongside them. I do agree that some people misuse them but I still prefer to see a happy secure safe child walking alongside their parents than a news story like the ones I have mentioned.

I will continue to use my sons backpack until I KNOW I can trust him in any situation, its different if you only have one child to look out for but with two you have to be more cautious.

How many of you would take a 3/4 month old puppy out into town or near busy roads without a restraint???

Originally Posted by Erin (Post 2366418)

I dunno I'm learning not to judge because I don't have kids and I really don't know. Just like people roll their eyes when we put coats on our Yorkies but we understand why it's necessary.

I mean, what if you have a totally ADHD kid who just can't walk perfectly next to you. Or a little kid who wants to walk on their own but can still be attached. I think as long as the kid isn't so old as to be embarrassed it's OK :)

I have watched my friend's 2 yr old a couple times who is like the best behaved kid EVER (i'd have one if i knew i'd get one like her, seriously) and she wanted goldfish crackers so I took her in the grocery store and she held my hand the whole time. I told her mom and she said she NEVER goes in the store without a cart even to get just 1 thing and she puts her in the cart. Makes sense (see, I'm not a parent so I don't think of this stuff in the same way!) but what if you just want to run in for 1 thing and don't want to get a cart? The leash totally makes sense!!!

Now those wheelie shoes - parents need to stop letting their kids wear THOSE to the grocery store!

Originally Posted by Yorkie Gems (Post 2366429)

Just curious, what are "wheelie shoes?

~Tammy

Originally Posted by Erin (Post 2366418)

Now those wheelie shoes - parents need to stop letting their kids wear THOSE to the grocery store!