Putting Children on a Leash for their Safety

I only agree if it is used for the child's safety. I was tempted to get one for my youngest son because he was famous for making a bee line directly to the most dangerous places, example, the parking lot or the street. I didn't, probably because his oldest sister was good at keeping him from straying too far, but if she wasn't with me, he scared me quite a few times by running off..

I see some parents putting little children on a leash when they walk on the street. I see some teachers doing that to small children as well. I find it really distressing to see children treated as pets. I think the parents should carry the children or if not they should put them in a pram. I think that would be more proper.

When I was young my mother had my brother on a leash because he would run off all the time. I also had friends who had their children on a leash because they would run off as well. It used to be quite common. No one thought that much about it although I suppose the liberal people who think children should have the freedom to run out and get hit by cars should. You have to consider the danger when you have something heavy on the other arm or holding a cart or a baby carriage or if you cannot run that fast any more. I would rather have a child safe then having him run ahead of me and there comes a car speeding down the street and wham.

actually at first when i saw this i didnt think it was good. but recently, over the past few years i feel its a great idea. so many kids are being snatched, killed, etc. i dont blame them a bit. its definately a great safety measure. as kids like to wonder off etc/.

This shocked two women I've known - one an American and one French - but here in the UK we've always had "reins" for kids, to help track them in a busy place. It's got nothing to do with treating them like animals (oh puh-leeeeeease, that is SUCH a lame thing to say) - it's just for keeping track of them while they're too young to know better than to go running off into a crowd as soon as your back's turned. These days, they make bracelets with one of those long, rubbery spring things attached so that it's less "shocking" for the uninitiated. Smart move in my opinion - last thing I'd want is to have my 3-year-old kid (not that I have one) rush off into a crowd and disappear, especially with all the weirdos around these days. The people who whine are probably the same ones standing in the middle of a shopping centre, crying because their little baby has run off and they can't find them.

At least,people should associate that with keeping pet.No doubt they three in question were active boys,but that was their natural instincts.Were their parents at the end of their wits so as to do such a stupid thing?

I see this occasionally and I don't like it. I never used a harness for my children. Now I have grandchildren and cannot run so fast anymore I think sometimes it would be a good idea for safety reasons. However, in my experience when a child reaches the age of three or four they are more agreeable to listen and hold your hand. Also teaching about safety is important. Pointing out walk signs at traffic lights and stop signs helps.

Hi Stary, Well, I'm in the US and I don't see the leashes as a problem. I see them as a safety feature and they really make a lot of sense especially when you have more than one child to keep track of or are in large crowds.

Before I had kids, well, before I had my second son to be precise, I was appalled by the thought of a child on a leash. How could they do that to a child??? Well, that all changed when my second son was about two years old. He was hyperactive. I mean, he was tested and diagnosed with ADHD. It was bad. I couldn't take my eyes off him for a second or he'd be gone. It wasn't too bad at home but shopping was always a nightmare. So, I bought a leash. The first time I had him on that leash was also the last. The little bugger learned how to get me to take it off him. At the tender age of two years old, he figured out that all he had to do was to constantly run around me in circles until I was quite tangled and took the leash off of him out of frustration. I never put it on him again.

THe first and only time I saw that was a long time ago (maybe 35 years ago) in Switzerland. The boy on a leash was no other than my nephew, then 3 years old. He did not mind as he had been brought to Switzerland when he was a baby. My sister explained that it was very safe and we wandered at a park without having to worry about Javier. But it WAS weird!

I am aware of that safety harness for toddlers because I saw a few here in our place. I was shocked and pity those toddlers at first glance at kids being tied up while walking with their parents. It looks like they are dogs being tied up while walking. I honestly won't use that safety harness to my kids. If I'll have difficulty bringing along my kids in public places because their still very young then I'll just stay at home with them instead of bringing them along and using safety harness to them.

I saw this thing once in a Mall, it was quite surprising but it might actually depend on what kind of parenting approach you would like to have. If my kid grows up and starts walking, I'd rather have him walking and running all over the place than put him on a leash. A Leash for me is for pets, not for my kids.

I've seen similar situation here in the Philippines. There are parents that resolve to this kind of solution. I know how hard it is to keep your child (specially toddlers) not to wander around most especially when you go out to go shopping. But I do not support that kind of treatment to children. I'd rather spend more time carrying him or guiding him without the leash. If you need to do something important when you go out, it is better to leave your kids at home and bring them along if you can take care of them when you go out as a family. Kids are naturally unruly and you just can't stop them to go anywhere. It is their nature to explore on new things that they see. As parents it is our duty to guide them properly and I mean up close.

If you ask me it sounds pretty ridiculous come on leashes? there not dogs, can't the parent or guardian just hold there hands. I've seen a couple of parents with those long leashes walking there children in NYC.

I was walking along the road in town and saw a toddler with a backpack on with safety lead. I asked where the mom had got it from. She told me a shop called Trendy Baby. I push my son's wheelchair and I need to make sure my 2 year old daughter walks along safely. I bought a pink backpack with a safety lead that I can hold. My daughter is tall and large for her age. It is a product for 3 to 7 year old children.

I had one for my son and it looked like a backpack, I believe it was a horse, we did not use it much he has always been amazing holding my hand, or some adults hand that is with us (gaga, papa, aunty, uncle) when I was a kid though I had one that Velcro onto my wrist and the other my moms or dads. Apparently they used it a lot, but that still didn't stop my little brother from walking out in front of a bus (he never got hit) when he was younger. Now-a-days people seem to not be so aware of what and where there children are, in my opinion, at least.

stary1 well excuse me but if a parent is so lazy he or she cannot hold onto a child's hand then get someone else to walk the kids but only dogs need leashes. you turn kids into lower animal by putting them on a leash.It looks weird,it is weird and I never did it and it had two children very close together too. I had two hands one for each child.I just do not like the idea of putting children on leashes.

When I was growing up, I was one of those childeren on the "leash". I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now. But, I can understand why a parent might want to use it. Simply put, Children are active. They can slip away without a parent noticing. I too had this happen to me (me getting seperated from my parents)and can understand the fear and guilt. One such time, I was very young and we had to go to an office. Well My mom forgot to be sure that she had my hand, and I just stayed put. The Elevator moved up and down... and yet I just stood in the back, until eventually someone found me. (I'm blind so I didn't see my parents leave) and I found my parents again. But, having that happen I understand completely. Now I feel if the fear is that strong, then parents shouldn't allow their young children to walk on their own. But, there are some who need that security to feel their child is nearby. But, there is a flaw in it as well. (at least the version I grew up with) those same children can remove the leash as it were and still run off. So in my opinion it's a parent's choice on how they wish to keep tabs on their young children. For example, families with more than one child may employe such a method to ensure the saftey of their children.

I have one for my daughter when we are in busy places. I have only used it a handful of times, the biggest one being the airport. that one is so busy that if she lets go of my hand for even a second I could lose her for good. Hers is a stuffed animal backpack and the tail is the lead back to me. I always put it on my belt so i cannot accidentally drop it. When I received it as a gift I thought it was cute but said...I would never do that to my child. I would rather her be safe. I am seeing them more and more, and for kids that are walking and do not want to stay in a stroller it keeps them safer.

I've seen that thing. Kid look like on leash. Quite funny. I wouldn't buy it if I had a kid. It just look weird. I could not got use to this. I would prefer to hold a hand of my child or any other method than leash.