Have you ever used the kid leashes with your kids?
By Teresa W.
@horsesrule (1957)
United States
March 22, 2007 5:14am CST
When we would go into public with the two oldest children we would have to put those kid leashes on both of them but especially on the youngest one. He's was just a little hyper, couldn't seem to stand still unless you were holding on to him and we just couldnt' trust that he wouldn't run into the street in front of a car. But the thing is, we used the leash thing for safety reasons because we love the kids and didn't want them to come to any harm but people looked at us like we were being horrible to the kids. The hostess in a restaurant that we went to even asked if that was really necessary. I said yes and smiled but I was thinking jeez, do you really want him running all over your restaurant because that's what he would have done. And he would have run to every table and talked to all the customers too because he doesn't know a stranger! He's very sociable to everyone whether you know them or not. And I don't mean that we LET the kids misbehave, they just did. So we quit taking them into public unless there was no way to avoid doing so. And when we took the kids to the fair, we used the leash so they didn't get lost or stolen. Thank goodness that as they've gotten older, we no longer need the leash and they do listen just a little bit better now!
5 people like this
24 responses
@Married2aMarine (1273)
• United States
22 Mar 07
Yes, I use it too especially when we're outdoors and he doesn't want to stay in his stroller or hold my hand. He loves his leash cos' it allows him to explore freely while still being within arm's reach. I don't care what other people say...I just want to keep my kid safe!
3 people like this
@spindrift (197)
•
22 Mar 07
I have used reins and harness for my kids but my youngest just sits down and will not walk so it is just as well he is most of the time good at not running off unless we have his brother with us who is 7 and runs around all the time then we have to put ben in the push chair.
But i do think that they are a very good saftey thing to have for young children they can be unpredictable at the best of times.
3 people like this
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
22 Mar 07
No, that's not something we ever used with our kids. They were pretty good about minding and staying with us in public. We didn't have problems with them being really hyper, though. I can see where you would want the leash if they're not going to listen and stay with you. You have to protect and take care of your kids!
@camar_lyn (1028)
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
I've been through the same predicament. My 2 boys are very active as well (aged 3 and 5). The only solution which worked for us in controlling that is to put one in a stroller/pram. When they are separated, they tend to behave better.
When we go out as a family, we normally eat in the park or we do alfresco dining where it is a lot more casual. The fast food restaurants are quite lax with noise as well. But if you are talking about fine dining or a romantic restaurant, i save that for our date night. No kids and no fuss. Cheers! -Lyn
@Trinka26 (171)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I bought a little pink harness and leash set for my youngest daughter, and used it when we were shopping or attending something like a fair. It allowed us both to be hands free, and she had some room to move around without me worrying about her being abducted or lost. We both loved it!
3 people like this
@atramesil (685)
• United States
22 Mar 07
In certain circumtances, yes we use 'em.
Also my younger brother used to have a dream where there was a toy that he kept trying to get that was just out of his reach. He aked my mother about it one day and she replied that it was because he was tied to the tree.
Back in the 1960's when we went fishing my Mom would tie my 4 year old brother to a tree with a rope thru his belt loops and place his toys within reach. THat way she could fish in peace and not worry about where he was. Apparently, he had gotten one outside of the rope's length and that's where his dream cam e from.
Mom had the original kid leash, a good piece of rope.
3 people like this
@Poison_Girl (4150)
• United States
23 Mar 07
I used to think the leashes were kinda sad. We've used them on 3 of my nieces and nephews, though and I think they're kinda needed on them because they would take off running whenever they had the chance. So, they can be pretty useful.
2 people like this
@imsilver (1665)
• Canada
24 Mar 07
I used to use a harness type deal for my son when he was young. And I used to get the same reactions from people that you do. But I tried not to let it bother me. I knew that I had reasons for using it.. and good ones too. To each their own. It was the only way that I could keep him from taking off when we were out in public. I had him and a baby in a stroller. I couldn't just leave the stroller to go chasing him and I couldn't get the stroller into 1/2 the places my son would get to if allowed to roam free.
Your were doing it to keep your children safe and that's the most important thing that there is to being a parent.
2 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I used a "leash" one time. That was back in 1997 when I was a little younger and a lot wilder and I took my daughter to a Phish show with me. My mother was horrified, but she didn't want to babysit and I wanted to go, there was no harm done and at least I didn't lose my kid amongst 20,000 people! LOL You'd think she'd be happy I was responsible about it...
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I am a little confused by your reply. Who said anything about spanking? I've spanked my child once in her whole life and that's when I caught her playing with a book of matches she found on the sidewalk. Could you please clarify where you are coming from with this? I was talking about using a wrist harness and taking my kid to a concert with me, I don't know what you're talking about.
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
23 Mar 07
my mom actually used leashes on me and my brother
(she had to,if she turned her back,we were gone) in the late 60's/early 70's.she said people looked at her like she was the worst kind of monster.looking back,it seems she was an innovator at the time.
but yes,i would.kids get grabbed from stores so often now,i'd put up with what stares i may get not to lose the kids by them running off.
2 people like this
@Erilyn (3020)
• United States
22 Mar 07
My oldest daughter used to like to run and hide under clothes racks. I had an elastic wrist leash I used on her all the time. I remember one day we were in Wal-mart and a woman with 3 children came up to me and said " you should be ashamed treating your child like she was a dog." I looked around and calmly said to her well at least I know where my child is which is more than I can say for you. She spent the next 10 mins trying to get all of her children back with her.
I think what it comes down to is what you think is best for your child, you know your child is safe and taken care of. Other people might look down on it but at least you know your kid won't be the one causing the tires to squeal and the horn to honk cause they are in the street.
2 people like this
@bronzdragon (64)
• United States
23 Mar 07
A leash is for an animal. A child that is taught to obey their parents properly, stays by their parents while out in public and does not run around like a crazy person.
I have never even thought about putting a leash on my daughter and in fact, felt incredible pity for the child that is wearing one.
A leash is not a substitute for proper parenting.
1 person likes this
@woodwork (9)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Maybe some use it to control their out of control kids, but I used ours, so when appropriate he could just have a little more room. Our son is still expected to behave.
All children misbehave at times. Before I had my son, I used to think a kid who was acting out was a brat. Now I know that even good kids have bad moments. I'm sure your daughter is not perfect even though you are teaching her to obey you. It's a learning process.
Not all parents who choose to use a leash have poor parenting skills.
1 person likes this
@woodwork (9)
• United States
23 Mar 07
My husband and I bought the puppy buddy type leash in the baby aisle at Target. We have never gotten nasty remarks. People actually have thought it was quite cute. I love it because it gives our 2 year old a bit of freedom from holding our hand all the time, yet we can make sure we don't lose him. I think the funniest look I got was when he wants to wear it while we are holding him, and once I told him to hold his tail (we call the leash part the puppy's tail).
2 people like this
@deesamps (653)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Before kids, I said that I would never use a kid leash b/c I felt that they were dehumanizing and was treating the child like a dog. That though was before kids and before one trip to wal-mart and my son ran off and we couldn't find him for like 2 minutes(but it seemed like an eternity).
So,Yes we have used a kid leash like when we would go out to crowded areas. It wasn't to take the place of us watching our child but to help keep him from running off if he was to drop our hand. Plus it gave our little man a sense of freedom to be able to walk with us.
We have gotten looks for people who you could tell didn't approve of us using them and we have also had grandmother age women come up and thank us for caring enough about our child to use them. To each their own.
2 people like this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
29 Mar 07
Mom and Dad never used those on my sister and I. Before we ever went out in public they told us what was appropriate, and what was not appropriate. We never needed them, and we are thankful for that. When we would try and get away they'd gently explain to us why we needed to stick close to them.
1 person likes this
@apakabar2007 (1693)
• Netherlands
24 Apr 07
Well, I'm glad that I don't have to use kid leashes to my daughter but one of our friend did use it for one of their boys that hyper active. Especially when the boys went out with their grandparent. My friend had to constantly keep an eye on him (I mean, really keep an eye on him). He just can't sit nor stand still. That it was pretty difficult when she needs to do her groceries....
1 person likes this
@seamonkey (1976)
• Ireland
24 Mar 07
Yes! iI didn't with my oldest, but I did with my youngest and it was invaluable in keeping him out of harm's way. He was one of those really energetic kids thatwould dart out into the road in a heartbeat, or try to escape in airports. He's seven now and I wish I could still keep him on a lead, sometimes!
@taymouse (585)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I don't think there is anything wrong with using the leashes in the case like you do. However if a parent is doing it to be mean or hurt their kid, that is a different story. When I was little, old enough to walk properly on my own but still wild and exploring everything, I was kept on a kid leash too. Sometimes I think it is the only thing you can do!
1 person likes this
