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People judge, I get it. What I don't understand is the unwillingness of people to accept that parents might actually know what's best for their children. People might want a leash for a strong-willed runner, a kid with a learning disability who needs extra support, or to protect against stranger-danger. If a person doesn't want to use a leash, that is totally an acceptable policy and I'm glad they've never felt the need. As the parent of a former runner, I'm so glad that there was a tool that allowed me to parent him with confidence.
My mom used a harness on my oldest brother way back in the 1960's. It's called being a responsible parent and keeping track of your kids. My other brother was born the month after the oldest one turned 2, so having a harness was a necessity.
I can judge with the best (worst) of them, but I have never understood why judging parents who put a leash on their toddler is a thing. In a crowded, chaotic environment like an airport or theme park, parents of little kids need all the help they can get. I never used a leash because I didn't have runners/special needs kids/etc., but if I had thought it would be helpful, I would have done so in a millisecond, and the judgers be d*mned.
I rarely used a leash. But for crowded situations, I would. Like...we're at the zoo. I've got a 4 yr. old, and a 2 yr. old, and the zoo is crowded, and I can't very well wrestle with both at the same time.
Could've used a stroller I guess (for the 2 yr. old) but the boy wants to roam.
I can judge with the best (worst) of them, but I have never understood why judging parents who put a leash on their toddler is a thing. In a crowded, chaotic environment like an airport or theme park, parents of little kids need all the help they can get. I never used a leash because I didn't have runners/special needs kids/etc., but if I had thought it would be helpful, I would have done so in a millisecond, and the judgers be d*mned.
I agree. I call it being smart and responsible. I was harnessed as a kid back in the 60s, and when I had kids I bought these things that velcroed around my wrist and the child's wrist.
A quick Google check showed me that several companies now make the wrist things: https://www.amazon.com/Wrist-Safety-.../dp/B01N2G22HB
I used to judge a lot more before I had kids as well.
Regarding this particular issue, I know it comes up from time to time on this forum, and I remember a very well articulated and convincing description from someone whose child was autistic and how the harness was integral for her child's safety. It really hit home with me about the entire judge not, that ye not be judged thing.
Last edited by Texas Ag 93; 05-31-2018 at 11:15 AM..
I have to say, I have not seen parents putting their kids on a leash in a few years. it looks like that trend has disappeared for the moment, at least where I live.
As I recall, the pro-leashers say leashing is the safer way to parent...which is fine I just hope they never make a law mandating that we leash children.
I used to judge a lot more before I had kids as well.
Regarding this particular issue, I know it comes up from time to time on this forum, and I remember a very well articulated and convincing description from someone whose child was autistic and how the harness was integral for her child's safety. It really hit home with me about the entire judge not, that ye not be judged thing.
Didn't we all? You just don't know what you're going to do until you're in the situation yourself.
I once derailed a discussion on this by saying "at least my kid wasn't in a stroller until she was 6". I said that on purpose, knowing it would get a different group up in arms. People who had been saying how leashes were awful and treating your child like a dog started defending having their kid in a stroller until elementary school, because it was "safer". They completely missed the point that every does little things like that differently, and got seriously defensive.
I was really surprised at that time (new to the internet, 20 years ago) at how crazy some people get about other people's non-life-threatening parenting choices. Now notsomuch. lol
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