Kid Leashes

Child Leashes: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

April 14, 2008

The other day I saw a child wearing a teddy bear backpack that had an extra "perk." The stuffed animal had a strap to which the tot's mama had a firm grip.

When child leashes made their appearance in a more obvious form back in the day, many criticized parents for treating their offspring like pets. Having a toddler, I can see the advantage they offer. I know I could have used one at the airport while flying solo with my tot.
What are your thoughts on the harness buddy?

49 Comments

2 years 32 weeks

i'm a 75 year old grandmother who loves to take her great grandchildren to disneyland. the youngest is almost 3. i put a leash on her because i cannot run after her if she decides to take off. i cannot pick her up and carry her any distance. so it is a leash or she doesn't get to go places with me. she will sit in her stroller but there are times she wants the freedom to walk with me. she is a well behaved child but she is to young to understand the dangers of wandering off and in the crowds at the park, she is small enough to be out of sight in a short time. so you can complain and give me all the dirty looks you want, but i'm sure she would rather be with me at disneyland on a leash than sitting at home and we have been going several times a months since she was 18 months old. i know all her cousins will agree with me....better on a leash than at home missing out on the fun.

MPTDelaware 5 years 4 weeks

Here's my story: http://bethanybeachnews.com/content/monkey_his_back

Neural 5 years 5 weeks

I tried this exact harness 9 months ago when I took my *then* 16 month old on an airplane for the first time. My only intention was to use it in the airport. But she would just walk/run until the leash was extended as far as it would go and then fall and have a tantrum. So I ended up just strapping her into the stroller and walking her around or walking behind her as she toddled around. The harness just didn't work for me. She likes using it as a backpack, though! :)

starbright14 5 years 5 weeks

In theory, I like to think we are all a little anti-leash. I mean, who WANTS to string their child up like a dog? On the other hand, in today's world, who can fault a mother for being too careful or concerned? My parents had one for me as a child, although we probably only used it for a handfull of times. When I nannied triplets, they had these leashes, although the mother hated to use them... but sometimes they just come in handy. To each her own...

starbright14 5 years 5 weeks

In theory, I like to think we are all a little anti-leash. I mean, who WANTS to string their child up like a dog?On the other hand, in today's world, who can fault a mother for being too careful or concerned? My parents had one for me as a child, although we probably only used it for a handfull of times. When I nannied triplets, they had these leashes, although the mother hated to use them... but sometimes they just come in handy. To each her own...

Kimpossible 5 years 5 weeks

Although I never had to use one with any of my children, I am all for them. My Mom used one with me when I was little.

BlairBear 5 years 5 weeks

I was put on a leash as a child (you can say 'harness' all you want, it's still just a leash) and I hated it! It was awful, yes I was a runner but come on! I would never do this to any of my children, they are not dogs! If I can't keep up with my kids when in a crowded area, then they are being held or pushed in a strolly, something other than a leash, I'll deal but these things are just ridiculous!

graterfinn 5 years 5 weeks

although i would never use a harness, i guess i can understand why someone would use them. i have twins and never used them. it can go both ways. if your children listen well, don't stray too much, like to ride in a stroller, etc. you're pretty safe without them. not to say that people who use them are bad parents, b/c that is an incorrect generalization, but SOME of the parents who use them could brush up on saying no. my twins are 6, i have a 2 year old, and am due with babe #4 in august. my hubby and i take turns doing the trips to big stores or malls and don't take the kids. we also don't hold hands much, but carried our kids (when the were small enough) whether in our arms or in a carrier or sling. i've traveled cross country with the twins when they were 2 and 3 and never need more than a stroller. yes, kids need to explore, but when you're talking safety, i would have rather had them in a stroller and have something to occupy them than let them roam. to each their own, i suppose.

graterfinn 5 years 5 weeks

buch1979 5 years 5 weeks

I think it depends on the situation, and usage. I use to think they were awful until I tried it out on my 18 month old. I'm pregnant and can't chase after him in crowded locations like I used to be able to. He seems happier with the harness especially at the grocery store, he walks next to the cart and helps put the groceries in.

jessy777 5 years 5 weeks

I can see their purpose and I can see how they are a bad idea. It is easy for a child to remove themselves from the grasp of your hand or wiggle away and get into dangerous situtations. I would probably use one when I am in a crowded area so that I will feel safer about the safety of my child.

cheersdarlin916 5 years 5 weeks

I can not stand these damn things. You put a dog on a leash not a child. I have been a nanny for a family with 6 kids and I have been a mom for 11 years now and I have never once needed to put a child on a leash nor I have never lost one yet. It is possible to teach a child to listen and not run off as long as you then give them supervised time to run around crazy and wear off some of the energy.

sarahm73 5 years 5 weeks

I never felt the need to use one with my child but thats not to say that I'm opposed to them. I think child safety trumps any negative reaction that a parent may be subjected to. so, yes, if in the future I had a child that tended to break away from me and take off running, I wouldn't hesitate to use one.

Twinkle 5 years 5 weeks

This would definitely come in handy in airports and at theme parks but it's a bit over the top in everyday situations.

Dbtabm 5 years 5 weeks

My mother had to fly by herself with three children to another country. You better believe that we had a harness. It's a matter of safety. I don't know anyone who uses these just on a daily basis. In an extremely crowded situation like an airport or amusement park you could lose your child so easily, especially when they're in the running away stage. My cousin's 3 year old boy sneaks out of the house and runs away, imagine what he would do at Disney World. I would rather harness my kids energy ANY day than lose them forever.

Dbtabm 5 years 5 weeks

My mother had to fly by herself with three children to another country. You better believe that we had a harness. It's a matter of safety. I don't know anyone who uses these just on a daily basis. In an extremely crowded situation like an airport or amusement park you could lose your child so easily, especially when they're in the running away stage. My cousin's 3 year old boy sneaks out of the house and runs away, imagine what he would do at Disney World.I would rather harness my kids energy ANY day than lose them forever.

jennifer76 5 years 5 weeks

...learn to stick with me because they are supposed to not because they are physically restrained. I'm a big proponent in teaching children that they have expectations they need to live up to rather than just preventing any possible issues and never giving them a chance to do what they should do. (Don't know what happened, but clearly I hit publish too early...)

jennifer76 5 years 5 weeks

I have to admit that leashes on children just bother me. I can understand the arguments people are making and I can see how they make the parents' life easier, but I am just not interested. I've flown several times with just my son (from 4 months up through age 2) and all the way across the country with both my children (5 and 2) all by myself. In fact, I just got back from a 5 week trip that entailed 6 airplanes and 4 different airports (twice each, of course). My son glued himself to me as a young child but feels more independent now. My daughter has always been Miss Thing and will run off in a heartbeat. I did generally use a stroller when traveling, but that was to carry carry-ons. I never use strollers in daily life and my kids prefer to walk. It took a LOT of my attention to keep them both with me at all times, but the upside is that they

RCCway 5 years 5 weeks

I used to judge then I had twins. I have two options. I can strap them into a stroller and not offer them the option of walking on their own, or I can get some harnesses and allow them some toddler freedom. So Fab: My children are 18 months and they do not understand everything I say. I cannot control them with my words yet. While we are working on it, harnesses allow them the option of walking on their own. You are correct, you put animals on leashes, that is why these are harnesses, they do not go around the neck like a leash.

So Fab 5 years 5 weeks

I'm sorry but I think you should be able to control you children with your words. You put animals on leashes because they don't know what you're saying....children do.

ktdid214 5 years 5 weeks

dogs go on leashes, not children...

lianabambi 5 years 5 weeks

romaniagrl... my boyfriends sister-in-law's little girl hated it at first too.. i think just that fact that it had buckles on it she felt like she was strapped in.. but after finally getting on her feet and walking for a bit she forgot all about it.. now she willingly puts it on when we go out for a walk!

lianabambi 5 years 5 weeks

i used to think that it looked odd like they were a pet.. but my boyfriend bought it for his sister-in-law and on her little babe its soooo cute! and so handy cause she likes to explore on her own without the adults crowding her all the time.

backfat 5 years 5 weeks

I had two toddlers (13.5 months apart) and they were both runners. They would split up on purpose so I would have to pick who I was going to chase. I totally used a leash back then. It's not about paying attention to them it's about them not getting injured or abducted in a crowded mall because they decided it was a hilarious time to run away from me in separate directions. If they were in a stroller they'd flail and scream the entire time from being strapped down.

rgrl 5 years 5 weeks

I used to be against them until I had my son, who is now a rambunctious 20 month old. He never wants to hold my hand in public places , jets off in a split second, and he hates being in a stroller unless taking a longer outdoor walk. But in a mall or a store, forget it. I have had such a difficult time with him and decided to get one of these, esp. now that I'm pregnant and it's harder for me to constantly pick him up as he's kicking his arms and legs and making himself into dead weight. I only tried it once and he threw himself on the ground and had a tantrum which he never does. Basically, it didn't work in his case, but there may be other times where I will have to use it. Believe it or not he is a sweet child otherwise. :)

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