Would really have liked to comment on the question of using a child leash with harness.

Lisa - posted on 06/12/2012

I'm thinking that NO parents use actual dog leashes or harnesses. That is pretty insulting, in fact. What they do use are backpacks with leashes that are made to be used on children. My autistic son is a runner, an escape artist and although he knows the rules about staying with us, he forgets when something engages his attention. He took off recently in Walmart and the entire store was looking for him. We had one report that he was in produce but then, within 20 seconds, he was already on the other side of the store.

If you have a child who listens and has no issues, you should be very happy. But, not all children are that easy to handle. We have even applied for an autism service dog; one of the main reasons is they are taught to stop or stay with children who are runners, like mine.

Please don't judge other parents until you have tried to take care of their children. You don't really know what's going on just from observing them for 5 minutes in a store or mall.

Barbara - posted on 06/12/2012

My daughter hates carts and strollers! HATES them... My rule is if she wants to walk, she has to hold my hand or Daddy's hand, or she gets carried. Thankfully we don't live in a big city though. If I did I'd consider one. I see nothing wrong with using one and a good friend of mine used one with her VERY active prone to wandering 2 year old when we met up in Minneapolis. I could easily see how much of a help and peace of mind it was. And if my daughter becomes a wanderer I'll be buying one.

Also, my daughter loves to "hide", if that becomes an issue in public I'll consider one as well.

Rachel - posted on 06/12/2012

I used a harness with my first son who is now six, and do the same with my youngest, 3. Neither of them minded being on a harness, and they both went (or are going), through a stage of refusing to hold hands. They are good, as if the child trips, you can prevent them from hitting the ground, and also, of course, the harness keeps them safe. Christian has no understanding of danger yet, and will wander off the path into the road if he doesn't have one on!. So it gives me peace of mind and keeps him safe. I don't know why people have a problem with them. Oh, and I don't give a stuff if they do!

Dawn - posted on 04/10/2012

I would have loved to have commented on that as well. I just found it. I have a 9 month old daughter and a 2 year old son. My 2 year old is a runner. I put him on the harness for safety reasons. I would rather someone look at me and say, "oh my goodness she puts her child on a leash...how mean" than my child running out in front of a car and getting hit, or him getting lost in a crowd. He doesn't mind the harness at all. he calls it his puppy. (It;s a puppy backpack harness) I feel like agood mom for keeping my son safe!

Elaine - posted on 06/18/2010

I whole Hartley Agree

Caterra - posted on 06/17/2010

I got my three year old son a safety harness when I got pregnant with my now one month old daughter. It was hard for me with my son, trying to run around after him as huge as I was. It has nothing to do with the inability to control my son, but as I was getting bigger I could not run as fast as he could. Now that I have had my daughter I have chose to use it on a frequent basis because he is in the stage that running away from mommy is fun and a game to him. I fear for his safety at times so I take the precautions to protect him. Yes, I get those nasty looks too. I don't care. I am doing what is best for my child to ensure his safety.

Brittney - posted on 06/16/2010

I see the use for them but dont use them on my children. I walk my dog on a "leash" because of her breed and people being afraid not my children. My daughter is 20 months old and doesn't always mind but she does know a stranger and will start screaming if she is even touched by one. (it's happened at wal-mart before, someone I know from work approached and went to touch her arm and she freaked out!) At the same time when I go to a store I control my child and she stays in my sight by holding my hand, if she is allowed down to walk. She is also either in a cart or in her stoller mainly. My mom bought one for when she has the kids and needs to go somewhere which I understand she doesn't have the energy I do to keep up with her and being her graney she gets away with a lot more then she does at home. I'm more concerned with my 3 month old getting snatched then my 20 month old. It seem easier to make it out of a store with an infant then a screaming toddler, just my opinion.

Tracy - posted on 06/16/2010

I use the harness at times with my three kids aged 4,3,1. I believe my kids are relatively behaved children, I can take them to a store by myself and they stay put and listen reasonably well but I still think the harness is a good idea to have on. My kids must always hold my hand when by a road or in a parking lot. But I have 3 kids and only 2 hands. Which one do I leave without a hand to hold? Also there is always room for error when they are holding your hand. One day I was walking in a parking lot holding my daughters hand and her hat blew off. Before I knew it she was off chasing the hat across the parking lot. It scared the begeases out of me. them lil hands can slip out of your big ones at any time. So yes I think the harness is a very good idea, especially the ones that are the animals that look like backpacks. my kids love theirs.

Also if people don't like it or give me dirty looks, I just look at it this way. At least I get to tuck my lil ones into bed that night. Those people wouldn't be around or care if my lil one got hurt or lost or stolen. People are so concerned about how it "looks" while you are trying everything to ensure the safety of your child that they don't think about the consequences if you weren't using them.

Anna - posted on 06/16/2010

I see both sides to this. I personally have never used one but at times I wish I had one on hand. Often, when I do see children wearing the saftey harness, the parents are in la la land not paying attention to them or yelling at them to come closer once they've reached the end of the "leash." I think that that not all parents are like that. There is a time and place for these if you child is not handicaped. Obviously, if my child had a hearing or sight handicap I would use them in a heartbeat!!!! Others need to stop worring about what others are doing and focus on their own beliefs as long as the child is in well being!

Nichola - posted on 06/16/2010

ive said this before in another post on here, i wish parents would stop being so judgemental on other parents. As if it isn't hard enough without being critisised by other people. I have a safety harness for my daughter, but now have a step, as i have a 7 month old in a pram, and didnt want a twin pram! so its easier as she is infront of me on the step. However i have taught her from a very small child that not holding a hand of someone she is with, means you get back in the pram and you can not walk with us....now she insists on holding your hand and wont let go, as she doesn't want to get back on the step..(shes too big for pram now mind...lol) I think every child is different, and for those of us who have children that do as we have taught, we are lucky. Some children just won't do what ours does. I think parents should keep that in mind. I bet theres things my daughter does/doesn't do that yours does/doesn't do.......

Ashley - posted on 06/16/2010

I see the difference between a need and a want. I also think that there is a difference between different children. I do work hard with my son to teach him what he needs to do and how to act. He is very energetic and has a hard time listening some times. But he can if he is made to do so, and I only use our backpack when we are at the zoo or other very large and populated places. I don't use it in the store, etc, even though it would make my life easier, and heaven knows I'd love it if my life was easier - because I know he needs to learn boundries on his own. I have also met children with behavioural problems or with severe ADD or ADHD or even developmental problems that you just can't see. They may take longer to learn these lessons - they may need the physical restraint of the harness to feel it so they can know how far is safe. You can not judge what other parents are doing without having been in their shoes. So this parent uses a harness at the store, but doesn't let their kids watch any tv or eat any junk food, sits and reads with them an hour a day and only makes healthy organic homemade food. Can you say they are a lazy parent? I can't. Who's to say what is right and what is wrong? Every parent has to make their own choices. Every parent takes their individual circumstances and hopefully makes the best choice they can. That's exactly what parenting is. And why it's so hard.

Maggie - posted on 06/16/2010

Ashley, I have two very spirited, strong willed boys, they are both young, full of energy and very curious! As I said in my post they are 2 and 4. As I also said in my first post I think there are circumstances where it would be helpful to have one - as with the child that was blind (or in your case where you are ill and physically can't chase the child.) If the leash is physically needed then I see no problem with it.
I just think using a leash instead of teaching your child to behave is laziness on the parents part. It took weeks and tons of patience to teach my sons to stay with me. I had to be consistent and it was HARD WORK but it's so much better now because they know how to behave. What happens with the leashed child the day you forget the leash or it breaks? They don't know to stay close, they've always been stopped at a certain point (the end of the leash) and now they can run wherever they please! Do you really think they'll stay by your side?

Ashley - posted on 06/16/2010

Maggie, I would love to hear from you one day when you have either a "challenging" child, or a disability that limits your ability to take care of your child.

Maggie - posted on 06/16/2010

kids aren't "being snatched" as often as you think...in fact a child is far more likely to get injured in a car accident than to get taken by a stranger. (That won't make a single person stop driving a car!) Most kids are taken by someone they know. Putting a leash on a child that can't see is a good idea but putting it on a regular kid is just ridiculous. Teach the kids how to stay with you or have them hold your hand! I have two boys, 4 and 2 and they will stay with me in the store no problem because we taught them from the time they could walk that they needed to stay with us. In the long run teaching the child responsibility is much better for you and the child!!!!

Phannie - posted on 06/15/2010

I believe parents use the harness because they worry about the safety of their child.

I just recently bought the little backpack safety harness for my 15 month son. What made decide to get one was that my son loves to walk on his own and refuse to let me hold his hand. This allow him to walk on his own and I still have a hold of him, especially when I'm also pushing a stroller. It can also be use as his little snack pack when he get older because the strap is removable. My son love is little backpack.

Angela - posted on 06/15/2010

i use on and my daughter it work wonders

Jamie Lee - posted on 06/15/2010

I have three kids ages 4, 3, and 1.... they all have harnesses when we go out. My oldest girl has a pink poodle, my middle child son has a monkey, and my youngest girl has a ducky. I LOVE THEM!!!! They call them there backpacks and they can never get too far. I always know where they are because we are attached. LOL. I love takeing them to the zoo with them... people always ask where I get them... if anyone wants to know where to buy them.... Sam's BJ's or walmart all sell them about 12-15 dollars a piece. ;-)

Amber - posted on 06/15/2010

There is nothing inhumane or wrong about a safety harness. They are a necessity in this world. It only becomes wrong if you are jerking it when your little one is misbehaving- I have seen this; it makes me want to wrap it around the parents neck and jerk it a few times.

Christi - posted on 06/15/2010

we bought my son the monkey backpack thingy and he loves it! and it is a guranteed way to let him walk on his own and make sure he doesn't get snatched.

Jamie - posted on 06/15/2010

At the end of March beginning of April my lil guy was visiting with his mommy and they went to a mall. She let go of his hand to look at an outfit on the rack in the time it took for her to find the price tag and look down he was gone! She phoned me, the mall was on lock down... every security guard cashier and mom in the store was looking for him Luckily I got her to start looking for him were she had lost him and told her how to get him to come out from were he was hiding and Yes he was hiding on her but at the moment and time that it happened she didn't know where he was and was totally loosing it, are the harnesess made for a reason you bet

Char - posted on 06/15/2010

I used to use the full safety harness when my son was first learning to walk as he was nervous of falling because he was (and still is) extremely double jointed. The safety 'reins' gave him that confidence boost he needed and he no longer needed them after about 6 months!

I still got some rather narrow minded people acusing me of 'chaining him up or restricting him!' That would make me angry particulary as I knew I was helping my son grow to be independant and ensure he was happy.

Ashley - posted on 06/14/2010

I have cancer. I have a 3.5 year old. I do not have anywhere near the energy he does, and he runs away a lot in large areas. Does that mean I should just make him stay home and miss out on life? My husband works 2 jobs because I can't physically work. So if we want to do something my son and I do it alone most of the time. I didn't start using a harnes for him until he could out run me. Now I use one in large populated places only - like an airport, the zoo, etc. Not just everywhere we go. Honestly, I'd rather get dirty looks from hags that don't understand our life at all then have him get hurt or kidnapped. And if they had any idea of our life they would keep their opinions to their selves.

Matula - posted on 06/14/2010

i have one and use it without hesitation.

Di - posted on 06/14/2010

i bought one for my 2 1/2yr old as soon as she started walking. i haven't had to use it yet but i will if i feel the need to.

Angie - posted on 06/14/2010

Lea, I have seen the helmets in magazines in case they hit their head while walking but I think most of what you are seeing when kids are out is probably the "helmet" type thing that is used to help when a baby has molding on their head (like a flat head in the back or something). And I know there is a name for this condition but it has escaped me.

Amber - posted on 06/14/2010

I always said before i had kids i wouldnt use one! But here i am today with a 20month old son. We use one when needed, never for when he is in the yard etc...! The post that was on here last time had some horrible posts back! I agree thats they should be called safety Harness , leash sounds awful for a child!

Glad to see that There are many parents who do use them:)

Erica - posted on 06/14/2010

I am wondering how do you get your toddler to use the wrist strap. I am not to fond of the harness's. Kinda creeps me out. The wrist strap seems to me a bit more easier and I can also wear it instead of holding it like I would a dog leash.

Lisa - posted on 06/14/2010

I think that harness's are a fantastic tool to keep our kids safe. People who comment are always people who don't have children or who had very calm, docile children.

My son, Lyric, is almost 3 years old and has endless energy. he knows to hold my hand and to stay with me but sometimes, he gets so excited and forgets and runs away. With the harness strap on my wrist, I know he won't get far and he won't get hurt.

Plus, his is also a ladybug backpack which he loves.

I also don't leave stores if Lyric decides to meltdown and cry or scream. You can always tell the difference between parents and non-parents: the parents give me understanding looks and the non-parents give me dirty looks. I figure, if it's just at a store, they can leave if they don't want to listen to it. However, I don't want Lyric to think that if he wants to leave some place, all he has to do is scream.

Lea - posted on 06/14/2010

Oh! You wanna know what else looks funny besides leashes - have you seen the helmets?? They keep your kid from banging their head when they're learning to walk. I saw it in a catalog a few months ago and laughed because it looked stupid and within a few days I started seeing them on kids. My son got tons of bruises and I would have put one on him at home if they had been around then but in public? You got to be kidding me. I do think theres a good reason for the leashes though. If I have to get something done with my son, I strap him in a cart or stroller.

Sonya - posted on 06/14/2010

I use one for my daughter, and my cousin use's them on her 3 children. I would rather my child be at MY reach not some strangers reach if she slips away. Children need a feel they can walk with out holding hands and the safety harness is the best for that little bit of freedom and makes the parent feel safe that they can still have their child's safety in their control and they are not getting taken by strangers, or running out in front of a car and getting killed. Yeah it's a bad name for them, but thats all it is, is a name.

Amanda - posted on 06/13/2010

Well I have a set of almost 3 year old twins and we have the leashes for them... My mom absolutely hates them but like I told her its better to have them on them and me holding them then they taking off or somebody snatching them

Jennifer - posted on 06/13/2010

Better safe than sorry! I used a harness for my child. Who cares what other people think. It gave me peace of mind knowing that he was safe and I didn't always have to use the stroller.

Lindsay - posted on 06/13/2010

I am so glad there are other people out there who don't think "leashes" are terrible! I don't use one on my 2 year old all the time, but when we go the zoo it is essential! He sees the animals and takes off. I have heard some nasty comments, but I would rather hear nasty comments than have him kidnapped, lost, or hurt. Also, he loves to wear his monky on his back and it is a little backpack so he can put some of his toys in it.

Michelle - posted on 06/13/2010

hi i didnt read any of the previous posts about reigns but as a mum to 20 month old twin girls who dont want to just be strapped into a pram i find them essential. how are you meant to run in two directions at the same time if your kids decide to go awol. ive often seen parents run after one child while leaving the other poor soul standing on there own. how is that a ever a good idea? i use them to help me teach my girls how to walk well beside me. if they are walking well i let them have a little bit of freedom to walk infront of me but if not then i take there hand & they need to stay by my side they dont have the option to run away & at this age safety has to be the most important thing.

Heather - posted on 06/13/2010

I have no problem with one! My son loves to wear his monkey back pack and with all the creepers in this world nowadays.... yea

Tanya - posted on 06/13/2010

it is a good thing they made my lil girl is a terror and she just runs off so i got one people shit me how they say how bad it is and look at you bad and most of the people who do tht they dont have kids

Sheryn - posted on 06/13/2010

I made a point on buying my son one(its a cute monkey backpack),his safety is my concern and I think theyre wonderful.People who make nasty comments have never had to deal with a screaming child who wants out of their stoller or never had the fright of turning around and their child is no longer there(perhaps hiding or perhaps other).Atleast I know where my child is at all times,atleast hes not running out on the road or out the front door of the shops...Bravo to mummies who care enough to buy a harness

Angie - posted on 06/12/2010

I always said I would never use one. And then I had 2 kids and my oldest was bad about pulling away from me in the parking lot. So now I say I'd rather have her on a "leash" than under the tire of of some car.

We don't use ours often but if I know I'm going to be in a big crowd or if we are going ot be walking by the road then we use it. I still hold her hand but also loop the "monkey tail" around my wrist just to give me a bit more comfort in knowing that if she pulls away from my hand I still have ahold of her.

Maria - posted on 06/12/2010

I never had to use one with both my boys, we were just firm with our boys that we mean what we say when we say if you want to walk, you walk by mom or dad's side; or you go back to the stroller/car (where one of us stayed with him). We made sure they're never far away from our sight, no matter what.

Amanda - posted on 06/12/2010

My son loves wearing the "puppy" on his back. I have never taken him out with it tho because it is my nephews. I just use a stroller with my son. I think they are great to have. Why not use them to keep your children safe when in a public place or if your going for a walk. you dont want them running into the streets, or at least I wouldnt want my son to.

Amanda - posted on 06/12/2010

used one for my son. that was 13 yrs ago. never needed to use it on my 11 yr old because she didn't wander. she did however love it and wanted to wear it around the house. kids are so silly sometimes. my toddler says hi to everyone so i may need one for her, especially with her brother due in august. we'll see.

Faith - posted on 06/12/2010

i actually got glares for putting my toddler on a harness. It disgusts me. If they weren't meant for safety, then they manufacterers wouldn't make them. I totally agree with them with in limits. If your just doing it for the Hell of it to have your child chained up, then no. My son is a social butterfly and would go to ANYONE!!! i put him on a harness and i DON"T care what others think. Its my child, and i personally feel more at ease with him on one in crowded places like the mall.

Jan - posted on 06/12/2010

I agree most of the problem is in the name leash maybe we can get the manufacturers to change that.

Amanda - posted on 06/12/2010

Maybe if people stopped calling them leashs, and started calling them safety harness, some people would stop having issues with them.



I agree with everyone here, I started using a "safety harness" with my first child, because she was the type of personality that would walk away with anyone who gave her a smile. At that time 11 years ago I had a young girl tell me in walmart, about how I should be charged with child abuse. I told her politely, that if my child was hurt or kidnapped under my care then it would be child abuse. :0)

S. - posted on 06/12/2010

i agree too, i used one on both my daughters.
i'm a bit shocked that on some post's on here some people are so against a safety device

Jenn - posted on 06/11/2010

I used one on my daughter, and I got allot of snide looks an remarks but she was to important to not prevent her from getting lost or kidnapped. Sure it looks a little silly it serves it purpose.

Kimberly - posted on 06/11/2010

Absolutely Agree!!

Shannon - posted on 06/11/2010

Agreed!