Has Anyone Used a Child Harness "Leash"?

Use it if she will let you. It gives them freedom to walk but you still keep an eye on her. It's not cruel it's genuise.

I have used one and decided on other methods. The thing about it is, it is very easy to have a false sense of security and 'forget' about the child. They can get caught between people or strollers in crowded places, and it's easy to subconciously think you don't have to actively watch them, because they're 'safe'. I have unfortunately actually seen someone talking and paying attention to everything BUT her child, and yanking on the leash when the child tried to pull away, not even looking over, treating her child like a dog.
It is very possible to use them properly though and there is nothing wrong with that. If you choose to do so just be as careful as you would if they were running free.
You could also leave them in the stroller with little toys or snacks if it is snack time, or let them cry for a bit and realize that they can't always get their way. :)
Hope this helps!
K.

I absolutely LOVE mine! I got the backpack kind that has a puppy on it from Target!! It was ten dollars well spent. My daughter is a total runner and loves her freedom, and this gives her the feeling of freedom and gives me piece of mind knowing she is always there!!!

I always laughed at the moms with their kids on a leash...and now I have one. I haven't used it yet, but I plan to later this month when we will be traveling--I am terrified of losing my toddler in a busy airport, and we have too many other carry-ons to bring a stroller. SO, I say go for it! I think if anyone gives you looks, you can ignore them, because the important thing is, your child is safe! We have one that looks like a Monkey backpack. My son has already tried to put it on. You can get them at Walmart!

My boy just turned 2 and we got a "monkey backpack" for Christmas. My oldest boy didn't need one, but boy oh boy does my second! He loves wearing his backpack, and it's so cute! He does pull on it trying to go a different direction sometimes, and then he starts to fuss or yell and will even lay down on the ground, but usually it's because I haven't told him that we're going a different way. I tell him that Mommy will hold onto the monkey's tail so he can find her any time he wants to. I don't say that it's so he can't get away. But it's saved him from getting run over by shopping carts and from running into the street. He's so fast, I am very grateful to have it.
My sister bought it for me at WalMart. I noticed that their monkey has changed a little bit, and I don't think it's quite as cute, but they have teddy bears and puppies, too I think. Target might have different choices, too.
We've gotten some looks, but most people say, "Oh my gosh, that is the cutest thing ever" or "He's got a monkey on his back." My son actually likes the attention! I'm glad they're making them cute now. I also was in the "leashed like a dog" camp up until I had a kid who ran off and got in some dangerous situations.

Hi Emily,

I use a "leash" with my daughter. There are really cute backpacks at Wal-mart, I got my daughter a monkey. I also carry a "leash" in my purse, that has a velco strap to go around my daughter's wrist and loops around my wrist or the shopping cart. My daughter calls it her "braclet". I like to use it, because it gives me a little security when my daughter isn't in a stroller or a cart. With her endless energy and curiousity to explore, it gives mom a chance to keep up. I have been complimented by strangers that they are glad to see a responsible mother taking care of their child.
I would be devastated if I lost track of my daughter, and it happens all of the time. At least once a week when I am in a store, there is a lost child announced over the intercomm. As a mother I would be devastated if my child were lost.

I have decided that my heart doesn't race so much and my daughter is cooperative to wear a "leash", it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as long as my daughter and I are safe and ok.

Kindest Regards,
TRUDI

I use one for my 2 year old daughter. I have 3 children. It's too much for me to have my eye on all three of them at say the zoo all at once all the time when I'm alone with them...and it would only take a second in a crowd for her to get lost. I've never forgotten my child is on her harness (her's is a doggie backpack and she loves it...it isn't her babysitter). Once I was at Walmart returning an item. My then 3 year old daughter was standing right next to me. I looked down at her to check on her, turned my eye to sign the return receipt, turned back to her and she wasn't there. That's how fast it can happen and none of us is a superhuman. She happened to just run to the bathroom right next to us, but it scared me to death...to think what could've happened to her. That's all it takes is a couple of seconds...I'm not willing to take that chance and any other superhumans can be judgemental all day long...as for me, I'll spend my time making sure my child is safe. I got my daughters doggie backpack harness at Target for $10...more than worth the small amount of money. The 'tail' detaches from the backpack. I say got for it!

Hi have used a leash with each of my three kids and plan on using it for #4 when he is old enough. My now 4 year old calls it his "friend". Sometimes we need it and sometimes he is good without. I have had both negative and positive remarks given to me when I use the leash. I really don't care what others think, nor do I forget my child when he is on the leash. And a parent that forgets their child is on a leash are probably those that also lose their kids in the store...because they forget them no matter what!
You can buy them most any where in the baby section or the "child safety" section. I have a wrist leash as the cute backpack kind didn't come out (or at least I couldn't find them) until about 3-5 years ago. Honestly I will probably buy one for my #4 when he is ready to explore faster than my own feet can go! I think the backpack kind are real cute, I love the monkey ones! They are also great because you can store things in them, (like a real back pack) like snacks!
Don't let anybody tell you that you are a bad mom because you have your kid on a leash. I love my child enough to keep them on a leash. As they grow older and understand the dangers of running off, then I allow them off the leash. But honestly I have put my 8 year old on a leash once when she was being a total pill in the store! She was embarrassed enough to never miss behave again, but not enough that it damaged her self esteem. The whole time she was on the leash, I reminder her how much I loved her! It worked like a charm! So don't be afraid to use a leash!

I use one w/my 18 mth old son, when he's done w/his stroller (this usually happens in airports!) and we find it works well. I'm not sure how you could forget about the kid when he's on a leash...he's still there and needs you to keep an eye on him!

We also have the backpack kind (dog), and he loves it. Sometimes he even brings me the backpack and wants me to put it on him so he can wear it around the house.

We have used one and it is very nice - esp if you are in a place that is crowded and your child wants to walk and not be in the stroller. The other thing that my mother pointed out when we were first thinking of getting one (I am one of 6 children and she used a "leash" with all of us) is it helps a young child learn boundaries - how far they can be away from you when walking. I have found this to be true. The times that I have let my 2 year old walk with me but not on the leash, she is very concious of where she is and how far away she is from me. I know some people think they are cruel, but my thought is that I would rather have something like that then be constantly paniced in a crowded place that we were going to get seperated. Kids like to explore - that is just their nature.

I used them with my kids when they were young. I loved them and actually so did my kids, they think of it as a game. Its great because of places its not safe for them to run off, because of crowds, or because of canyons what have you:) Some people look at you funny and think its mean, but they either dont have kids, or aren't adventurous. Because it is a safegard that you aren't wrong for taking:)
S.

I use to think parents who put kids on leashes were cruel. My son always takes off, so one day my mother in law bought him a leash. I was disgusted and refused to use it. My son love it, he would ask to where it around the house just for fun. Then my husband was deployed. I had a two and a half year old and a four month old. Going anywhere was a nightmare. I couldn't run fst enough to catch him because I was carrying another one. Out of desperation I used the leash to go shopping, it was a miracle worker. He couldn't get away. It even kept him near me in the parking lot, which is where he usually runs. I loved it and used it until he figured out howto take it off, then it was useless.

Another alternative to a leash or stroller is a sling. Kids can fit into them when they are still toddlers, you know exactly where they are and they get to interact w/ you and w/ everyone you interact with. It's great for their development and for peace of mind!

I will say that I decided that this leash thing was too primitive for me. I thought that I would not leash my child like a dog, but let me tell you one day I was in the store and I was buying some pot or something and it was heavy and I was depending on my husband to keep my toddler son under control and he just went running. I had this huge pot in my hands and I screamed and just couldn't stop him. He ran into the street and almost got hit by a car....and I really wanted the leash thing after that. My husband refused. We argued about it and he was really against it so we didn't get it but after that experience...I vote for the leash. Sorry but would you rather have someone give you a dirty look or have your child hit by a car? You can't be there every single second. Sometimes things happen and some children are more curious and like to run and explore. At that age they have no safety awareness. I vote for the leash. Hope you and your little one stay safe.f I just couldn't let my husband be the one in charge of my son after that. From then on carrying all heavy objects became his job!

S.