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I used to think that leashes were for animals. Now I think why wouldn't you give your kids as much protection as you'd give a dog? What changed my mind? When dd was about 2 1/2 she decided to play hide and seek in a clothing store. The entire mall was on lock down by the time we found her. She had crawled up into a clothing rack and was waiting for me to find her.
I did that! When I came out of the clothing rack, my mother was GONE (looking for me).
I went to a sales clerk and was taken to the security office.
I'm sure lollypops were involved.
I'd say I was separated from my mother for a half hour.
She was more traumatized than I was. To me, it was an adventure!
good thing I don't give a flying rat what these posters think!
pretty soon after my daughter was born, i learned that everyone has their own opinions on what you should do and most of them are idiots. especially the ones who actually try to tell you their opinions instead of keeping it to themselves. you also realize lots of people are judging everything you do. my mother's boyfriend is a moron who never had a child and he is judging everything we do with my daughter. so you quickly learn to ignore people's opinions because you will go crazy if you care.
A child can have a tantrum in a stroller or a carseat too. The purpose of the leash is to protect the child, not to prevent him from having tantrums.
true. But you can go ahead with life and ignore the tantrum. If they are on the leash-- pulling, kicking, screaming and you then what?! It's not like a parent is going to drag them as they have a tantrum. If you are going to wait it out with them then do so without having them harnessed to anything.
Our children were well behaved, because WE took charge.
We used to call them "dopes on a rope".
AGREE 100% granted- I understand that there are clearly difficult children regardless of parenting tactics used. And I do have my "issues" as a mother but when I say hold my hand- that's what's gonna happen. Period. When we are in a grocery store they stay by me and the cart. The expectations were set in toddlerhood. I am truely blessed with well-behaved children. Whether it's nature or nurture-- IDK? But part of it is because my husband and I have a united front and let our kids know how it's gonna be. It has to count for something.
AGREE 100% granted- I understand that there are clearly difficult children regardless of parenting tactics used. And I do have my "issues" as a mother but when I say hold my hand- that's what's gonna happen. Period. When we are in a grocery store they stay by me and the cart. The expectations were set in toddlerhood. I am truely blessed with well-behaved children. Whether it's nature or nurture-- IDK? But part of it is because my husband and I have a united front and let our kids know how it's gonna be. It has to count for something.
I believe it's nurture.
Neither of our children would run off or misbehave in public.
We baby sat my cousins two daughters (2 and 4 yrs old). They were a handful when at home under their parents supervision. They were actually worried that we couldn't handle them.
AGREE 100% granted- I understand that there are clearly difficult children regardless of parenting tactics used. And I do have my "issues" as a mother but when I say hold my hand- that's what's gonna happen. Period. When we are in a grocery store they stay by me and the cart. The expectations were set in toddlerhood. I am truely blessed with well-behaved children. Whether it's nature or nurture-- IDK? But part of it is because my husband and I have a united front and let our kids know how it's gonna be. It has to count for something.
And what happens when you have more kids than hands? Or your hands are otherwise occupied?
I understand people not using the leashes/harnesses/reins...fine - you don't have a need for them don't use them no one is asking you to. BUT. Why the looking down your noses at other people who are just trying to manage the best they can? Can they be misused or overused? Sure - as can just about anything. An active child might actually be better behaved as well as happier with a harness rather than strapped into a stroller. Strollers can take up lots of room and be difficult to maneuver in certain circumstances - or just not practical for the situation. Busy airports and other transit stations while traveling is what comes to mind here. A small child who has sat still for several hours on an airplane only to have a layover of a few hours needs to be able to stretch his/her little legs.
And as far as not taking a 2 yr old to Disney? You sometimes take the opportunity as it arises. It may not always be perfect. Not everyone has family nearby to just keep the little one while you entertain the older one(s).
Neither of our children would run off or misbehave in public.
We baby sat my cousins two daughters (2 and 4 yrs old). They were a handful when at home under their parents supervision. They were actually worried that we couldn't handle them.
Hah!
We had absolutely NO problem with them.
I guess they respond to your reaction to them.
No "dope on a rope" needed!
I think putting a kid in a harness and letting them explore a few feet in front of you with both hands available is preferable to forcing them to hold your hand and, in some cases, pulling their elbow out of the socket. You can have an opinion, but the arrogance isn't needed. You are no better a parent than I am. I honestly don't see why it would bother someone to see a kid with a "leash" attached. It's just not a big deal. I could go the judgmental route too and say I must care about my child's safety more than you do
What's worse is that this thread was started by someone who claims they will never be a parent, and most likely doesn't care what any of us think anyway.
MM you just reminded me of the 3rd place I used one
1) parade
2) top of a cliff
3) AIRPORT when I had a 1 year old in a stroller, a 3 year old with the little bear backpack harness, carry on bag for all 3 of us, and no other adult to help me.
now I will wait for someone to tell me I shouldn't have been flying alone with 2 kids
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good thing I don't give a flying rat what these posters think! 
