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When I see them being used in a shopping mall or DisneyWorld or an airport, I don't bat an eye or think anything of it. I also wouldn't think anything of it pretty much anywhere when I see a mom with several young kids with their toddler on a "leash".
When I see two parents walking with one toddler on a leash in the park, though, I admit I shudder a little. I mean really, there are two of them, can't they keep track of their one small child in a safe area (meaning no cars, no loose dogs, no crowds, etc)?
Yeah, it's petty and I'm probably just being judgemental, and no, I've never had a child abducted or even a child who would run away, given the chance... but those are my first thoughts.
Never had one but there sure were times when I could have used one. When my oldest were really little they weren't really "in" yet and you rarely saw them. I see people using them everywhere now.
I think they're a wonderful invention and the little ones are still able to have their hands free to explore! I think my Mom had one for me when I was a tot...and I'm now 40!
I used one more than 20 years ago when my firstborn was a toddler - it was one sure way to give him some freedom but to always keep him safe. He teases me mercilessly now that he found out about it (apparently he didn't remember it until he saw a photograph) but it's all good - he's a grown up now and never became a statistic
I think they are great for all the reasons mentioned. Many years ago (mid-late 60s), my mom had one for my younger sister. We lived overseas and traveled so were sometimes in train stations etc. She remembers being scolded by strangers telling her she would cause her daughter to get confused as to whether she was a child or a dog! LOL!!
Last edited by maciesmom; 12-04-2008 at 07:13 PM..
Reason: clarity
I don't really know. I still cringe when I see it, but I can understand why it's useful.
It worries me that the parent who uses something like this might get into a habit of over-controlling the child as it matures.
So, I don't really support leashes. Only if your child is very rambunctious and doesn't listen to you, and you know it. If your child listens to you and doesn't always run away from you or anything, just have confidence in yourself and your kid.
Can you imagine what it's like to be the kid? Think back to your childhood, think really really hard. Imagine now, to be almost excited to go home so you could get off of your leash. I wouldn't want anything like that clogging up good memories like going to the zoo or anything. How can a kid really enjoy the zoo when he's reminded that he's entirely restricted all the time, which presumably might make him want to act up more.
*shrug* I still don't have a very strong opinion either way, but I can't say that I plan on doing this when I have a child. Families have survived for eternity without leashes, and hopefully all of us have grown up without a leash around our bodies. Disregarding it because of their age just because it makes you feel better is... eh.
We've used one with our oldest, who is now a preschooler. It comes in really handy in the airport, especially now that we have a younger kid in the stroller. Not only do you worry about abductions, but you worry about them just plain getting lost amidst the hustle and bustle. And, yes, for many years mankind has gotten by without them, but why turn your back on a useful item that gives you some peace of mind.
I honestly was always one of those people who kind of rolled my eyes when i saw parents with their kids on leashes. But not anymore. I will admit they are not the most attractive thing in the world, and they do look a bit weird, but 2 year olds will manuver their way out of your hands in a heart beat. My best friend called me freaking out because she had her newborn baby in carseat in shopping cart, and when she let her two year old down holding his hand, he got away and started darting across target parking lot. She had to make the dicision to go after him and leave baby in the cart. She was alomost in tears, and saying now i know why parents do the leash thing. So I will never roll my eyes when I see kids on leashes.
As for the zoo thing someone else mentioned. By the time you are old enough to have memories of the zoo i dont think they will still be on a leash. Atleast I hope not.
I have never used one on any of my two kids and I don't think I would, although, I did briefly consider it at one time. I just have a very hard time placing my child on a leash, so to speak. I know it's not a dog leash that goes around the neck or anything, but still...there is something about it that bothers me and I could never bring myself to do. To each his own!
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