What's your view on putting on a wrist leash for toddlers?

Nancy - posted on 07/07/2010

We got the backpack leash, asking ourselves the same questions BEFORE we bought it, debating whether we wanted to put our child on a leash or not - it does look kinda funny when you see someone else leading a child by a leash. BUT we found that our son immediately loved his puppy (he picked it out). It gave him the freedom he wanted, while giving us the control we needed for his safety. We have used it just once so far with our 15 month old daughter, who has just gotten good at walking, and she loves it just as much.
Just keep in mind, there are a lot of things that previous parental generations don't see the same as we do. They didn't put their children in carseats, etc. I think part of it is better things we have learned, esp carseats, cribs, lead paint, etc. But part of it is the world we live in too - danger is so much closer and faster than when that grandmother had her children that small.

Jennifer - posted on 07/07/2010

I'm with the grandma lady there. When I see kids with leashes on i think of dogs or that the parents can not control their kid. Just seems wrong to me. My daughter is 3 and has never wore a leash and never will. She knows how far away she can go from me and when i say stop she stops and waits for me. But in buildings she stays by my side.

Deanna - posted on 07/07/2010

I say if you are concerned about your child's safety then you should take care of your child and not worry about what others think. I think that it looks like a handy tool to keep your energetic child close to you.

Briana - posted on 07/07/2010

my sister was on a wrist leash, she is now pre -dental. I also have a harness for my 20 month old. there is nothing wrong with wanting your children to be safe! they aren't being traumatized even though they get upset. especially when you have a little one like I do who only wants to explore and not turn on his listening ears!

Jessica - posted on 07/06/2010

I think it is perfectly ok and I totally understand. Our 3 year old is the same way. We have 6 kids so it is already hard to keep track of them all. She got lost in Wal mart once and then one other time. We went straight to Wal Mart and bought a little doggy back pack that has a leash on it. We made it fun for her and put her little sister's sippy cup in the back pack and told her we needed her to help carry it. Which made her feel good about it and we were able to keep track of her. Some kids are just harder to keep by your side.

Amanda - posted on 07/06/2010

sounds like you definatly need one, i figured I would not be one of those parents but we had to buy one for my son also, for the same reason, except his was a monky harness and he got to name it so he was pretty happy about that, I had ppl say things to me about it but i didn't care what they thought, better then losing my child,and you are not treating your child like a dog, she is a child that needs a little rope...as so to speak..but honestly i think you are doing fine and using one of those is a good thing.

Tracey - posted on 07/06/2010

Oh and I have to include my son at 5 still likes to have teddy with him , I don't have to put it on but we made a game of and it's his favorite stuffed toy and I think the litte back pack kinds are really cute , I use them my friends use them , my sister with 7 kids using them, wierd that its only old ladies that I have ever heard say anything about them, must be mostly a generation, thing my mother in law even had a go around over safelty locks on cabinets,baby gates at stairs fence,around railing for the stairs, guess who won, because when it comes down to it he is my child

Tracey - posted on 07/06/2010

OK so You asked what I think , I think you should have told grandma to go to hell just like that lady that said something to me,first it's my child,second if they thoughtd for even one minute what the parents who had their children stolen or hit by a car and killed ,what would they think, I bet you a million dollars they wish they had that one their child at the time.In fact my sister had a friend who's child was killed by a car and everyday single freaking day wishes her child had one on, Then i say I definetly wanta protect my dog by keeping with leash range ,I would be a worst person if I didn't want my child to be safe either, and believe me I was pissed when that lady got in my business, by the time I was done with that meddling b*^&*%^&$*& she shut up and walked away.:)

Tasha - posted on 07/05/2010

My son is 3 now and stays with me. But when he was 2 he was the same exact way! Very curious and ready to see everything whether i was going that way or not. SO I got one of the monkey back pack leash things and I put his cup and a small toy or 2 in it. Now, Im not a rude person, but when it comes to people telling me how to treat my child, that is a problem. And my husband has watched me several times, unfortunately, tell people to mind their own business when it comes to how Im treating my child. I have a "leash" on him so I know he is safe and still with me vs these idiots who let their children run freely like they dont care. So I think you are doing a great thing. And dont let any grandma get to you... They are from a different age and time when they didn't have to worry about some random person walking by and snatching their kids. In this day and age us protective mommys will do WHATEVER it takes to keep our kids safe. Even if it doesnt appease everyone. So keep your head up, your not a bad mom for caring about your child.

Patricia - posted on 07/04/2010

People will always judge what they are not familiar with. You could leave your child strapped in a stroller for piece of mind when walking, or let them out with a saftey leash so they can walk around in a controlled enviornment.

You have to figure out what you want, what's most comfortable for your family, and what works best for you. She's your daughter and you are the one responsible for her.

Blanca - posted on 07/04/2010

people will always have something neg to say. Just do whatever you feel is right for you and your lil one!!

Annery - posted on 07/04/2010

I say do what u want. Everybody has an opinion about it regardless. I'm torn between da 2, I see ur point in giving ur daughter leeway but keeping her close and I also agree wit the old lady. My son likes to walk away from me as well, but I'm very stern with him, I do hold his hand, slowly but surely I take him where he wants to go to explore. I feel that not only am I teaching him, self control n patience but also self discipline...kids need to learn that they can't just run off n do what they want and u as the parent need to learn to be more stern with ur child and explain that it's not ok for them to walk away and there are consequences either with time out or a spanking. We know the dangers our children don't, so either u keep ur child on a leash for ever or u teach her that walking away on her own is not acceptable.

Karie - posted on 07/03/2010

I think every child is different and you need to do what ever works best for you and your child. I didn't like the leashes and harnesses when I first became a parent. However, with our first two children we didn't have an issue with them staying close by or wandering off. When our third came along, that was a whole new ballgame. We ended up using the teddybear backpack harness with him and our fourth. It worked wonderfully with both of them and now the two yougest are 4 and 6 years old, they no longer need the harness or a stroller. If they start misbehaving we put them in the shopping cart. I've slowly learned over time to take what others say with a grain of salt. Most times I take advise where I can use it and I try and let the rest just go. Afterall, I am the parent and I am the one who has to live with what ever happens at the end of the day. I'd rather know that my kids are safe with me than worry about upsetting some stranger in the store who I am likely to never see again. Good Luck!! =)

Mell - posted on 07/01/2010

My mum got the same from some older woman when i was little she said "thats not a dog its a child" but my mum just said "Id rather walk with her like this than have her run off and get hit by a car", I use one on my son every now and then when we go to places i havent been before with him or places like theme parks that get overcrowded because he gets over excited and dosent want to hold you hand 24/7 this way he can walk about relativley freely but hes still with me

Crystal - posted on 06/30/2010

well you're the mother and it's your judgement that really matters. i travel internationally often with my busy toddler and an older child and the last thing i want is breaching security to chase him! i get looks also but i think we should do what we need to, to keep our kids safe :)

Kimberly - posted on 06/30/2010

Anything for their safety!! Cribs are like dog crates, playpen is like a cage, we let our kids run around a fenced yard and yet people frown upon safety harnesses and straps because it's the same as a dog? If you're in a busy environment or you have more than 1 young child, why not try everything you can to keep them safe. Don't worry about what others think. If something happens to your child, it's you that wont sleep at night. It helps them learn that they have to stay close. I just dont agree with using them all the time (unless you have more than 1 young child in a busy place).

Ginny - posted on 06/30/2010

I'm all for it! Some children just don't "get" that there is a danger in running off. Your priority is keeping your child safe, and if that's the most effective way of giving her the freedom to walk but still be secure, then there's nothing wrong with that. It's not much different than strapping a child into a stroller so she can't take off.

Carisa - posted on 06/30/2010

I don't know why old ladies always feel the need to criticizes moms...I had one yell at me for not having a coat on my baby (she was always warm) You need to do what is best for your child and don't worry about what other people think.

Martha - posted on 06/30/2010

I should rephrase what I said, it is most important to use the leash in large crowds, like Disneylands and when walking along the side of the road, these situations would call for the use of the leash or if no other adult were with you to assist you with the kids.

Nancy - posted on 06/30/2010

When it comes to children, everyone has an opinion and think they know what's best for your child. Personally, I don't like the leashes because I figure she can't be on one forever and we might as well teach her to hold hands earlier instead of later. It's rough, but thankfully even though she does like to wander, she also wants to know we're around. That's just me though, if the leash works for you use it.

Martha - posted on 06/30/2010

Good for you, safety first, I used the vest type and so did my daghter-in-law, it is your child not theirs, you do what makes you feel safe. Kids are fast and you never want to lose them, keep up the good parenting and ignore to stupid people that you will meet.

Suzanne - posted on 06/29/2010

I have 3 kids (ages 4, 6 and 8) and after almost losing both boys when they were 18 months & 3-years, the same day, at a HUGE train carnival,... I swear by the leash... harness. and often give them as gifts... It was great when travelling through the airport too...



... I got a teddybear back-pack leash harness for my daughter and she LOVED it... she would ask if we are "going on an adventure with teddy".... to the pier, or to the mall, it allowed me a chance to enjoy the day rather than worry if she's going to run and fall (off the pier) or cause trouble by making me run after her...



There 's no harm if you are letting your child taste freedom without being out of control, then you are doing the best for you and your child...

Jennifer - posted on 06/29/2010

I decided not to worry about what other people think. I tell them that I am doing what is best to keep my child safe and how I do that is none of their business. My son has a safety harness that he wears around his chest. It gives him the freedom to move around and saves my sanity because I am not worried about him getting lost.

Heather - posted on 06/29/2010

Some people will think it's inhumane or something silly like that. My 2 year-old has a backback leash. I figure it's better to be a little politically incorrect than to lose your child. Good luck..

Kristen - posted on 06/29/2010

I think a leash is a good idea for kids who tend to wander off, but there is a difference between walking together while they have a leash just in case, and the parents who yank around and drag their kids by the leash. However, it is important to also teach your daughter that she cannot run away and a leash is merely a tool that forces her no matter what to stay with you. I would suggest bringing the leash, but not using it unless she will not stay with you (i.e. giving a warning)

Shannon - posted on 06/29/2010

i think whatever works to keep your child safe, do it. personally, i like the backpack leashes better than the wrist ones (not that ive ever used one, my daughter just turned one and cant walk well enough to walk by herself in public) but dont listen to what other people say, they dont know you or your situation. just try to ignore them... as hard as it may be. good luck! :)

Christine - posted on 06/29/2010

I used to think that the leashes reminded me of dogs, however watching my mother raise my brother who was constantly on the move, refusing to hold my mom's hand (he would just fall onto the ground and throw a tantrum if she tried) and finding ways to get out his ADHD energy, I changed my views. Grandpa should have kept his comments to himself. Raising a child today is scary, and each child is different. Even if you have a child who is well behaved, it is still easy for them to wander off or worse, get snatched up. I agree with Michelle...who cares what people think. It's not abuse, it's just trying to keep your child safe.

Cyndel - posted on 06/29/2010

I use one, well I used one, my son is much better about staying near now and I rarely have to use it. My encounter was with a woman who had her first child in the 60's a girl, she saw me with my son in one, and told me when her daughter was about 18 months, she sewed one for herself and when she took her daughter into public, someone called the cops on her and her daughter was taken away for a few days because she was treating her like a dog, and they were making sure she wasn't being abused. I could hardly believe it when she told me.

Nichole - posted on 06/29/2010

i dont like it because it doesnt teach ur child to walk with u and not run off i look at it as the easy way off what i would do is walk holding her hand and if she doesnt walk nicely and fights u put her in a stroller and tell her if she is good she gets to walk if she is bad she has to ride in the stroller my daughter was a wanderer also and hated the stroller so it worked

Lisbeth - posted on 06/29/2010

I say why not forget what everyone else says if it makes you comfortable and allows your child to explore and she doesn't mind it then all the better for you I was at the bronx zoo and saw a parent with like a seven year old and they had one on the back loop of his jeans.

Erin - posted on 06/29/2010

My eldest didn't like to walk with the "leash." What worked for us was getting those ring chain links and attaching them to something (cart, belt loop, etc). He could wander out a bit, but still knew that he was close to me. After all, what's more important: some stuffy "grandma's" opinion or the safety of your child. She'll learn not to go too far away this way.

Michelle - posted on 06/29/2010

I say who cares what people think, as long as you and your child are happy and safe. The only time it bugs me is when it is not used safely or correct (I don't like to see the child "dragged")