Child leashes, what is your take??

OK. I want one for me! We go to the supermarket and the Boss disappears occasionally to be spotted crossing the aisle that I am in but about 50 yards further down. By the time that I get to where I saw her, she's gone again! Put me in reins and we'd keep together. In the UK lots of small children are put in reins when they first reach the walking stage. That period doesn't last long and they're out of them before too long and it's a heck of a lot safer than having them disappear under the wheels of a passing truck! I don't think that it affects them at all. I'd say that it was the opposite of hurtful. It shows that you care and are considerate of your child's need to walk, but mindful that they are not yet entirely aware of the dangers that are presented to them from the road.

My parents used one on me. I was pretty hyper, so they tell me. I think if you have a really active toddler and you have other children you are having to watch, and if said toddler is known for taking off at top speed unexpectedly, a leash could actually be a good idea. I didn't use one on my kids though. They were way better behaved than I was. Also, there was almost always two of us to keep them in sight.

I could give a rat's behind as to what others think of me should I choose to use a leash on my child. I bought one for her, but I gave it to my mom. She uses it when she takes my daughter for walks so she won't run away, which she is prone to do. Honestly, you are unrealistic to assume that ALL situations can be rectified by redirecting and persuading. I know many a 3 year old who cannot be persuaded. Kids at the toddler age and bullheaded and constantly testing the limits. If you feel this strongly about it, I don't see the difference between this and putting them in a cart. They are still confined. I don't care what it looks like as long as my child is safe and out of harm's way. I guess that isn't very PC of me, is it? How is it lazy? As for it being hurtful, it doesn't hurt them one bit. If it were a torture device, would they sell? I see lots of people use them, especially at places like the mall or amusement parks. There are too many weirdos in the world who fixate on children.

I was blessed in having a quiet and obedient son even when he was young. He would hold my hands and wait for my approval before doing anything. Malta is still a safe country up till now. I never felt the need to use such a leash. However if I lived in a bigger country or that I had a disobedient child, I would definitely use it. The case of Madeline McCann(was kidnapped in Portugal if I am not mistaken) is still fresh in my mind. I don't want my child snatched in a shopping arcade or in a crowded place. I think that it is better safe than sorry.

A child on a leash vs a child missing, kidnapped, etc. Tough call there.

These things always make me feel bad for the children. I was horrified when I found out my Wife got one for our son. I was away at the time, and when I came home and saw it, we got into a big of a heated discussion. Something about what is that doing in the Garbage...anyways, it seems she got it for him, because her, and her father and our Son, were going to an outdoor Festival, Folklarama I believe. Regardless, large large crowds, that make Strollers impractical, My son being to young in her opinion for hand holding, and too heavy for the hiking backpack, we used when we went hiking with him.... That was about a year and half ago now, he flips out when ever he sees the thing. Little Horse Backpack, the tail isn't even 4 feet long. I would prefer to chase him its funner that way, but sometimes, it is just impossible to get a person to change their perspective. Thank you, I appreciate you.

I have a son and would never put a child leash on him. What ever happened to holding your child's hand or carrying them? I watch as many as 6 children during the day and never need to use a leash for anyone but my dog. I take them to the park all the time. I put the babies in my double stroller, the older two hold hands and walk in front of the stroller and the two toddlers hold on to the side of the stroller as we walk. No one runs off. No one has gotten Kid napped. Are you using these leashes out of fear? Sure children are kidnapped it happens and it is a horrible thing but it does not happen so often that you have to put your child on a leash to protect them. How is that preventing them from being kidnapped? Me holding my child's hand would prevent that also. Letting your children take off all day to play is not very safe but walking next to me down the street is perfectly safe. I HATE BABY LEASHES. Why do we stop at children. Maybe I should leash my husband too so everyone knows he belongs to me and he will not run off.

I have never, and I mean NEVER felt the need to have one of these. Yea me either! Even when my daughter was an infant (babe in arms age) and my son was a very busy 2 yr old and I was a single parent..YES shopping for groceries was trying at times and so on but NEVER could I have EVER used one of those nor did I ever need to or feel the need to like you said....I have SERIOUS issues with them myself..Like you said there are other ways to handle it over using one of those contraptions.

I used one with my daughter when she was a toddler, we were on vacation in a crowded place and she wanted to walk. I dont really care how it looks. But it was comfortable, she liked it, she stayed safe, didnt have to hold her hand in the air for hours at a time. I am not against these at all. I would rather keep my child safe. Also, my mother had four kids and she used them as well.

Way back in the fifties these were called baby harnesses and they have been around for a long, long time. They keep your child safe and secure, yet they have the freedom to walk with you. I had a baby harness for my son when he was a toddler and it was ideal for him and for me. I would much rather have a child in a harness than have that child kidnapped or snatched or able to run under a car.

Child leashes are useful. They allow the person monitoring the child to keep track of them. Children do tend to wander off somewhere so it is a good idea. I don't think it should be a requirement. It should be an option not a requirement.

I think in the concept of childrens leashes it's personally up to the parent of the child which they find easier or what they feel is in their childs best interest....When I first saw them I must admit I thought it was a neat idea and have thought of using it when my children were younger but have not....Have found other creative ways of dealing with my children while in a really busy and public place my son is 16 now and my daughter is 3 and she knows from what I've taught her in a busy place she is to hold whoevers hand she chooses at ALL times or she will go straight back home she does pretty good with this may have her few outbursts....Or if I'm in a store she rides in the cart or holds my sons or her Grandpas hands I'm single Mom again so I'm in gear lol Happy Mylotting.

i'm not sure if its the same thing but my broth and i both had harnesses with long handles that our parents held so we could wander off and not get lost. don;t think either of us had a problem with them.

I would never use this on a child under no circumstances. Depending on age I would use a stroller or a cart. If the situation is getting out of hand then I would leave the establishment or wherever I am at and head home. A child will test your limits and you have to be in control of yourself before you can direct another person to correct behavior. I also believe in taking a timeout for myself if I feel I am the one that is beginning to redirect my issues onto her. I tell her give me 5 minutes or a moment to gather up my thoughts and we then can continue to do whatever we were doing. Its hard raising children especially if you are a single parent. I also know that we are not perfect human beings and we have faults of our as our children do. Sometimes we react before we think the whole situation through. AS long as we learn from our mistakes and admit them then, we should be OK. Take care.

I don't care what anyone says, leashing your child is just plain wrong. If you cannot control your child without one, then you are not a responsible parent. If you can't control your child, you should not take them out with you until you teach them not to run away. Leashes are meant for dogs, they lack the brain function to understand when people tell them not to run away, however, children do. It's almost like putting a chain around their neck, that could kill them. I know a leash may not, but then again, it could. If the leash got caught somewhere the child could be crushed around the midsection or chest, could suffer broken ribs if something went wrong. When I have kids, I'll never use a leash. If I can't keep them from running away, I wont take them with me when I go out, especially if I can't keep an eye on them.

I had 4 kids and also took care of other kids. I never used one. I know what you mean about how they look. I think in crowds of people they could be something of a safety device. I've only seen them used a couple of times so I imagine most people don't feel a need for them.

Yes I have used them, and until you're in a situation where it's necessary, it's really not nice to judge those who've had to use them. I used them with my twins, and also with my youngest son. Two of my children did not need them.. the oldest and the 4th child. The oldest obviously because he was the only child and I could keep track of him well enough.. the 4th because he's never been a wanderer and was always good about holding my hand or staying by my side. With the twins, they both liked to run in opposite directions, and they were hyper and fast. I didn't like keeping them cooped up in a stroller 24/7.. I liked allowing them to walk around with a bit of freedom, but keep them safe and close by at the same time. With my youngest child, it was simply because he hated holding your hand or being held. He's fine enough in a stroller, sure, but as I said, I don't always like keeping a child cooped up in a stroller. I'd rather he be on a harness than trying to struggle to hold his hand when he'd constantly refuse. While using these harnesses I've come across people like you who'd give me dirty looks and tell me my children are not dogs. Well, think what you will, but my children are safe and all 5 of them absolutely LOVE taking long walks.. probably because they've been doing so since they first learned how to walk.

I am a mother of a three year old boy. Yes I considered using that before and actually bought one. I only used that twice and stop because I don't see the need of using that to my kid... KIDS ARE DIFFERENT... Some are behave and some are hyper or super active... I don't blame or judge others in using it. In fact, leashes are very helpful. I don't know why some people are being too judgemental... Parents just wanted to secure the safety of their kids... Does it makes them a bad person for using that? Or lazy? I don't think so. Those leash are DESIGN AND MADE FOR KIDS... That wont hurt them a bit. In fact, there are cute and stylish leashes available to choose from... Why judge the guardian or parents? Does it makes them a bad parents by simply using it? Is it the measurement of their love and care for their kids??? I am sure, the kids feels how much they are love by their parents even if they are being leashed... It is on how you connect with your child... In fact, my child used to remind me to bring his leash when we are going out before, because he saw his cousin with it all the time -- and his cousin too doesn't mind... His cousin is a happy kid just like my son and other kids. I believe it is also convinient to the kids for they can move freely somehow... Especially if the kid is very adventurous and naughty... Child prefers to walk rather than to be put in a cart. Some kids doesn't want to hold hands too. I think we should consider these facts too. My auntie, is using it to her grandson, and the kid doesn't take that against her... They are very close and you would see how they love and care with each other... I mean, even if a person is using KID's Leash, it doesn't mean that she is treating the kid like an animal or pet... You don't drag or pull the kid... They walk and move freely... Come on! Let us be open minded about this... Remember it is a KID's Leash not a DOG leash. It is designed and made for KIDS. In the end-- and what matter most is the relationshp of the kid and the guardian or parents....

I remember my mother doing it to keep an eye on my brother the last one in the family whose activities needed a lot of supervision. He would stop at nothing to get himself into dangerous situations and so my mother had no alternative but to leash him while she was busy with her household chores!

I fully disagree with using a leash for a child. We should treat a child as a child and not like an animal. I have also seen pictures of this sort of thing. The child will not be hurt physically but it will have some impact on them mentally. If we love our children we should devout our full attention on them. We can hold their hands. During this tender age we should give them all the love and attention they need, otherwise the outcome will be like treating our pets. We should not mistake children from pets. Children have more brains than pets. I think this is a very sad situation. I am a parent and I took care of my kid, I did not use a leash, now I am a grandmother and I will not allow a leash to be use on the baby.