Kids on leashes

[duckie215]

I'm not a big fan. I understand it in places like amusement parks because they are full fo other kids and distractions, but for a trip downtown or to the mall I think its unnecessary. If you can't keep track for your kids then you shouldn't be out with them. Generally its not so hard to hold hand or put them in a stroller and walk with them. I was a nanny during college and We went places without leashes. Honestly I think momma Kampff would have been VERY unhappy about me restraining her child. (but then again they were HER children not mine.) As far as using them to keep the child from falling when learning to walk, kids fall. It teaches them. You can't protect your children from the world. they have to live and learn and experience. Jsut my opinion. Perfectly good people use harnesses for their kids na dperfectly good people don't. My kids aren't gonna be on leashes unless they are pretending to be dogs

[piptickle]

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???

[kcook323]

I have seen them used a few times, like at a huge flea market, and it is weird to me. I am a mother of three children and I wouldn't use them on my kids, but my kids are 3 years apart. I guess in certain situations, like kids close together like piptickle's kids, or if you had a child with special needs, I could understand. I've never had to use them though.

[IluvLucy]

I've seen them before, but I have no use for them. My sons were taught that as soon as they got out of the car, they HAD to hold my hands - one on either side of me. They also rode in the cart inside stores and if they misbehaved while in the buggy - I left it where it was sitting and took them home. It only took a couple of times for them to learn that I meant business.

I don't think a leash for children takes the place of training.

[Angela]

Depends on why your using it. I never used one w/my 17 year, but they make them SO cute now.....one looks like a little purse and I think if its used to let them explore while you watch them and not try to shop and stick them on the other end of it, it could be a good tool.

Angie

[chachi]

I can see using it for a 2 yr old in a crowded place but one time I saw one on a child that was about 10 and I think that is excessive

[MissSophie]

I remember them from when I was a little kid, and I could never believe people would use them. However I have seen those things that are put around the wrist to link a child to a parent's wrist. Now I may not have as big a problem with them. I never needed one with my kids, but there are some kids who may have special needs that are not as easy to keep focused. If it would keep them safe, maybe.

[rayray08]

For those who think it's okay to use all the time, or in certain situations... what do you think the age limit should be?

[MindieRose]

I don't have a problem with them if the parents are using them responsibly. It seems a lot of people here are picturing a parent with smoke hangin out of their mouths and a beer in hand while the child is stuck on a leash so they don't have to watch them or something. I have seen people in the mall with them (our malls, at least 2 of them are more crowded than disney sometimes!) who have a child in a stroller, and one with one of those little backpack teddy bear harnesses walking along side of the stroller. I don't see the problem. It gives the child a little bit of independence with safety and security. I like that a lot better than the stupid parents that are constantly losing their preschooler because they don't pay attention to them!
On the other side of that, my sister in law's brother has a child who is autistic, and he keeps him leashed 24/7. I HATE IT. When he isn't on the leash, he is strapped in a carseat in the livingroom, he is maybe 4. This is not for his safety, this is because he has terrible parents. They are divorced, she left, he had the kids, and 2 of them went to live at my brothers (who is no better) at only 11 and 14 years old. That whole family is a MESS, and that poor kid lives on a harness. I don't even know that he is really autistic, or just been treated like an animal since birth.
I believe they CAN be misused, but I do not think they are all the time. I don't believe that anyone without children has a legitimate opinion on this. I have 6 kids, under 11, and while I have never had to use one, even at Disney, but only because we went on non-busy days, I am not judgemental towards those that choose to use them in appropriate situations. I take my kids EVERYWHERE with me, I don't even have a sitter, and for someone to suggest leaving the kids home when you go to the mall, I think thats rediculous. As it is children in this country spend more time away from both parents than any other country, not to mention more than they ever have over history, and to tell someone to find a sitter...well that's just making it worse. Our kids love going out with us, I would never leave them home just so I didn't annoy someone else.

[rayray08]

Originally Posted by MindieRose

I don't have a problem with them if the parents are using them responsibly. It seems a lot of people here are picturing a parent with smoke hangin out of their mouths and a beer in hand while the child is stuck on a leash so they don't have to watch them or something. I have seen people in the mall with them (our malls, at least 2 of them are more crowded than disney sometimes!) who have a child in a stroller, and one with one of those little backpack teddy bear harnesses walking along side of the stroller. I don't see the problem. It gives the child a little bit of independence with safety and security. I like that a lot better than the stupid parents that are constantly losing their preschooler because they don't pay attention to them!
On the other side of that, my sister in law's brother has a child who is autistic, and he keeps him leashed 24/7. I HATE IT. When he isn't on the leash, he is strapped in a carseat in the livingroom, he is maybe 4. This is not for his safety, this is because he has terrible parents. They are divorced, she left, he had the kids, and 2 of them went to live at my brothers (who is no better) at only 11 and 14 years old. That whole family is a MESS, and that poor kid lives on a harness. I don't even know that he is really autistic, or just been treated like an animal since birth.
I believe they CAN be misused, but I do not think they are all the time. I don't believe that anyone without children has a legitimate opinion on this. I have 6 kids, under 11, and while I have never had to use one, even at Disney, but only because we went on non-busy days, I am not judgemental towards those that choose to use them in appropriate situations. I take my kids EVERYWHERE with me, I don't even have a sitter, and for someone to suggest leaving the kids home when you go to the mall, I think thats rediculous. As it is children in this country spend more time away from both parents than any other country, not to mention more than they ever have over history, and to tell someone to find a sitter...well that's just making it worse. Our kids love going out with us, I would never leave them home just so I didn't annoy someone else.

In that case the harness using is definitely out of control. They shouldn't be living on a leash and that's just sad.

I think if you have a child on a leash/harness they should still be by your side not wandering around away from you.

I was suggesting getting a baby sitter if you have children you have no control over. Or if you have to use a harness/leash but your kids are many feet ahead of you and tangling everyone up, instead of by your side.
It's wonderful for kids to be with parents but I think one should be considerate of others if they are going to use a leash with their child.

[erickajm]

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.

[kuku2121]

My sister uses one on her daughter who just turned two. I had always thought they were stupid but my sister has 3 kids who are 3.5, 2 and 10 months. She only use it when we go to crowded places and with her daughter I don't blame her she is a handful. It is a little monkey stuffed animal that looks like it is hugging her and we hold the tail.

[piptickle]

Originally Posted by rayray08

For those who think it's okay to use all the time, or in certain situations... what do you think the age limit should be?

I would'nt use one over the age of 3 1/2 by then the child has more comprehension of danger(unless there is a genuine reason such as mental disability for example). It may not be necessary to use one for that long it depends on the child. I should also state that I don't use one on the rare occasion that I take my older toddler out without my baby in the stroller, then he can hold my hand and I have control over him. Whilst pushing a pram they can only hold onto the side and you don't get that "feeling" when they're going to let go. Also if we're in an appropiate environment such as the park/school yard or a cafe or if theres someone with me who is'nt already responsible for a young child then I detach the strap from the backpack (he loves bags)) It is important to use them responsibly and its very sad when children are let down by the people who are supposed to take care of them

Also to the OP if your're going to write a paper on this and you don't have children of your own then you need to remain objective, I too used to hate seeing children on "leashes" but have come to realize that there is a time and place for the responsible use of a suitable safety rein

[piptickle]

Originally Posted by erickajm

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.

[MeganS]

Originally Posted by rayray08

For those who think it's okay to use all the time, or in certain situations... what do you think the age limit should be?

I would say around 4. By that age, they should know not to leave their parent's side. Unless they were in a really, super crowded place like Disney world, there really is no use for them after the age of about 4. Though some children may be special needs or just REALLY hyper or something, in which case I could understand using them beyond that age.

It really varies from situation to situation. If it will keep the kid safe, then it's a good thing.

Actually, I really agree with and give a to the person who compared them to strollers. Honestly, they're kind of better than strollers, because at least they can have some freedom.