Harnesses/Leashes for children

Nicole - posted on 03/04/2012

I thought the same thing when I was around the same age as you now I'm a mom in think it's sort of a good idea bc my son loves to just wander off all the time! I would buy it if I was you but don't depend on it so much bc it so easy to just slip off (being a book bag).

Denikka - posted on 02/26/2012

I love my sons leash. It's a Winny the Pooh backpack. I frequently use it when we do a quick run down to the corner store. In the past, my son's been a runner. Having my hands full of groceries and trying to hold on to a toddlers hand while walking down the sidewalk of a busy street freaks me right out.

I use the leash for extra security. my son is almost 3 now and is finally starting to learn to stay close, so now we sometimes go out without the leash.

I think if you have a runner or are in a situation (like Disneyland), a leash can be a great asset. But it should not be used INSTEAD of teaching your child to stay close :)

Beth - posted on 02/26/2012

When my girls were little, I used reins (they put their arms into a harness, which would go round their upper torso, and there was reins that I would hold), instead of one that went round the wrist. Certainly preferred the reins that went round the torso rather than the one that went round the wrist.



At least having some sort of harness/wrist strap, means that you can hold your daughter's hand and also have the parent end of the harness/wrist in your hand as well, so that it means an extra level of security and reassurance for yourself.



Depending on the age of your daughter you could look at other options. I used the above when my girls were little (up to about the age of 3 and after they proved that they could walk beside me nicely). Other options include having a meeting point if you get separated, informing your daughter who she goes to if she gets lost etc.. If she's old enough having her mobile phone on her and phoning you on your one so that you have an additional back up for contacting each other should you need to. I would also set up expectations of what you expect her to do when you're at Disney World so that she knows to stay close to you, preferrably holding hands with the allocated adults.



It basically boils down to how old your daughter is and what level of development she has reached. Then make your decisions from there.