Do You Keep Your Children On A Leash When You Go Out In Public?
By cyrus123
@cyrus123 (6363)
United States
June 15, 2009 12:21am CST
I went to a carnival the other night and I saw a little boy and his parents had him on a leash. This reminded me of a scene I saw at the mall one time where the parents had all four of their children on leashes. A lot of people made comments to the parents about it. Most of what I heard was that it was a good way to keep up with your children and I thought the same thing privately to myself. I don't have any children, myself. However, I'm aware of all the meanness going on in the world these days, with children being kidnapped in public places, etc. I thought later that this might be going a little to the extreme. Why not just hold the child's hand or whatever? Or just make sure he/she stays with you at all times? What is your opinion on this? Do you keep your children on a leash? Or do you think that's too extreme?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
15 Jun 09
I NEVER DID LIKE TO SEE THAT, I think it's awful myself. Why not put them in a stroller or a buggy or as u say hold their hand. I RAISED TWO BOYS BY MYSELF but i never put them on a leash like an animal. HAPPY MONDAY TO YOU.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
16 Jun 09
All children are different. I had 2 very hyper twins who did not like to ride in a stroller, and also refused to hold my hand. If I tried to hold their hand they'd pull away. So yes, I used a leash for them. It's better to use a leash "like an animal" than lose them or allow them to get hurt because they're so hyper and energetic.
My youngest is now the same way, I'll be using a leash for him as well. I wish there were more people who would understand that some children NEED those leashes to keep them safe, because the parents who use them truly don't deserve the stares. We're doing what's best for our children.
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
16 Jun 09
We just have a difference of an opinion here. I TAUGHT MY BOYS TO MIND AT AN EARLY AGE, IF i needed them to ride in a stroller they did. I'M sure having two at one time was trying to say the least. Have a good day.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
15 Feb 10
I've seen the leashes before and I really think it makes it seem like your children are animals. Although I don't have children of my own, I have taken my niece and nephew to the stores with me since they were babies. When they were very young, they had to sit in the cart, either in the seat part or the buggy part. Now that their older they have to hang onto the cart. If they want to go look at something specific, we go together. It would kill me if anything happened to them so I take their safety very seriously.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
16 Feb 10
At first, I thought it was a good idea to keep them on a leash. There is just so much meanness going on these days.
I guess it might be going a little to the extreme, though. I guess as long as you know where they are and if they are quite small, you can watch them, it will be all right. I don't blame you for taking their safety seriously.
Kathy.
I guess it might be going a little to the extreme, though. I guess as long as you know where they are and if they are quite small, you can watch them, it will be all right. I don't blame you for taking their safety seriously. Kathy.@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
16 Feb 10
I think the problem comes in when parents don't pay attention to where their kids are...they let them wander off on their own and then wonder what happened to them. BTW, I notice we have new smileys...very cute!
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS** [/b]
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS** [/b]
@zhpshql (693)
• China
16 Jun 09
Hi,Kathy,
Yeah, that can be seen very often in my country China,and I don't think it's too extreme.It's OK, just make sure you have the most comfortable leash for your baby.That is the most important thing.Sometimes I even envy the kids who have the chance to sleep and play in the leashes.It's like a small safty home for them,just like the kangaroo.
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
17 Jun 09
Hey Frank! How are you doing?
I didn't know that this was a common occurence in China. I've decided that this is a good idea, though. Read what thekatsmeow wrote.
I visited your city's website, btw. It looks like a beautiful place, like you said. Like you also said, it said that a lot of tourists come there all the time. T---hank you for responding. Kathy.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
16 Jun 09
Yes I put my twins on a leash. There were 2 of them and they were both very hyper. They didn't like to sit in a stroller, they wanted to walk, but I couldn't keep both of them with me. The leash kept them safe and I always knew where they were.
My 3 year old doesn't need a leash. He's a very calm child. He stays by my side when we're out somewhere. He'll hold my hand and not run off.
My youngest will be getting a leash though. He's 17 months. Mostly he stays in his stroller, but sometimes he wants to walk. When he does walk, he won't let me hold his hand, and he won't stay with us. He wants to go his own direction.
Certain children need leashes to keep them from getting lost or hurt. Just because you wouldn't use one for your child who behaves well, doesn't mean you should judge a parent who does use one.
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
17 Jun 09
Hey katsmeow1213! Yes, I agree that it's not right to judge other people. I didn't mean to come across as being judgmental. I thought it was a good way to keep up with your kids but I wondered later if this was right. I guess the leash is a good idea. Thank you for responding and happy mylotting. Kathy.
@ethereal1 (215)
• Australia
15 Jun 09
I think when I was growing up, some of our excursions would have been more enjoyable if my mum put my brother on a leash! We used to go to markets and stuff and invariably he would wonder off after about 15 minutes. Then my mum would get all angry, we would spend half an hour looking for my brother and then we would have to go straight home with still angry mum :(
