we just got one for our daughter from a rummage sale-shes going on 15 months and loves to run free when we are in public which is fine at some places b/c we can keep up with her and keep track of her but in bigger crowds it makes me nervous so this way she can "run" but still be within reach of us easily.
Where do you buy them?? I've wanted one for our two year old for a while now, but I can't find one. I haven't been searching that hard, though. I've seen the kind that look like a little backpack, but buckle like a parachute harness and have a "leash" attached. Anyone know where I can get one??
I say WHO CARES what the crabby folks think. Your child's safety is the most important thing. People are going to think what they want to, regardless, so do what's best for you!
I have seen them at Baby Town. I need to get one too. "STAY HERE" translates to "run away" to a 2 year old. I have a system with the van for getting kids in and out but once I had the truck and had to do things differently. Piper about got hit by a car too. It's nuts. I am totally for them.
Walmart carries them, on the east side- they are next to the baby food on the very end. I am not sure where they are in the west side walmart - I tend to stay away from that one since it is normally so busy and I can't find anything now that they remodeled.
I brought this up because tonight we were shopping and the cashier was very snide about the harness but another employee came up to me as I was leaving and said what a wonderful mother I was for watching out for the safety of my child. (I must admit I needed the little pick-me-up after shopping with the kids who missed naptime today)
Pam,dss Jadeyn-11,ds Kristofer-6,dd's Bethany-3 & Emaleigh-1
The west side walmart has them in the aisle with the outlet safety plugs across from that music thing that lets you here the kid song CD's I think .
Target and Wal-Mart both have them and they have adorable ones...they look like a little stuffed animal backpack like a monkey and the tail is the leash part...so cute! I think that every kid is different and some kids are just high energy kids that need something to keep them close, but let them feel like they have the freedom of walking alone, etc. I think especially for little ones that are just learning how to walk around they are good for them at the mall, etc. I never had one with my daughter and never had a need for one, but she is not that high energy, run wild personality of a child either. I have a good friend that had one for her son and he was that type of kid that needed one and it was perfect for her to use in busy places for him to feel he had the freedom. It is a whole lot better for parents of those personality type of kids to have the child harness on them then to let them run wild and get lost, about get hit by a car, etc. It amazes me at what people say sometimes or give dirty looks about. It is nobodys business but your own, don't worry what anyone else thinks. Think of some snappy comeback to say to people when they give you a dirty look or say something about it...that always makes me feel better in situations like that when you catch them off guard and then they don't know what to say...just say what you want and walk away! :)
Toys R Us has them too. I do daycare and have a few. With the number of kids I have, I feel it is necessary. they listen most of the time on walks and don't need it but after a few warning of them not stopping when I say so, They get the 'leash' on. They don't like it so they tend to listen when I tell them to stop. But I have them in case.
I am a younger mom and love that invention. I persoanlly would double over with laughter if a mom ever yanked on the leash and said heel. I had thought of doing it many times when my son was younger after getting an odd look from another parent. Just never had the "you know whats" to do it. I say who cares what others think you are doing what you think is the best for your child and thats what makes us all human our ability to come up with solutions in a mulitude of different ways.
We just got one for our 19 month-old that is pink and has a purse attached to it at Toys R Us. I have also seen the bear backpack ones sold at Target.
We decided that with three under two, it would be the only way to keep all of them safe when I go out alone with them.
Our daughter isn't a huge fan of the stroller and generally prefers to walk so this will hopefully ensure that she doesn't get hit by a car when she decides to bolt. I honestly could care less what people think.
I honestly think that they're a good idea in the right situation. At a store, or busy airport, or big show...etc, they can save lives and keep children from wondering away. Last week, though, I saw a couple strolling through a local park with their child a few steps ahead of them...securly fastened in his harness. This was not a toddler. My husband said "That dog looks just like a first grader!" Now, they may have had their resons...maybe the kid has some developmental disabilities and bolts. Still, it looked pretty bad.
Honestly, sometimes I wish I could find a bigger one for my 6 yo. Lately he has been such a little stinker- totally ignoring me and running off.
Pam,dss Jadeyn-11,ds Kristofer-6,dd's Bethany-3 & Emaleigh-1
I can still to this day remember when my mother put one on me. I was 4 and we were flying to Phoenix, with a layover in the Denver airport. I was mortified. However, now that I am a parent of two busy boys who go in two separate directions, I think it’s worth checking into. I am still pretty “new mom”-ish when it comes to letting my kids loose in public. When I am by myself, my youngest is always in the stroller. This year will be different though since he is a lot bigger. And I agree with all the other posts about who cares. It makes me laugh when people think they have parenting under control or could write a book. One family I know said they could have written a parenting manual with their first 3. Then number 4 came and he shred every preconceived notion they had. Do what works for you and what will keep your kids safe.
Ha! Your post made me laugh because it is so true with the family you are talking about (not about the thinking I could write a parenting manual...hardly!!:))! Our first 3 were so much alike, and so just when I got comfortable doing what worked, #4 came along, and threw that all out the window!! #5 has done that, as well, so most days I feel like I don't have a clue WHAT I am doing! I agree with everyone else, you should do what works for you, and ignore the input from others. That is definitely one thing I have learned to do well over the past 13 years! There is always someone everywhere you go who believes they have some piece of valuable advice, or maybe an insult, that you just can't live without. I just smile and nod, and let it all go in one ear, and out the other! See, I've even learned something from my kids!!:)
Similar situation, my mom was caring for my boys in Sturgis while I was recovering from surgery the last week or so. She just can not understand why he won't poop in the potty. (Join the club!! I don't know why either!) Anyways, since she was going to have him for 10 days she knew she'd have him poop trained. Guess what? Although I was really hoping she'd have some magic trick I didn't know about, he's still the same as when we dropped him off. She's like, "I just don't understand. You kids were so easy to potty train." Maybe now she won't call and ask if he's pooped in the potty daily.
I got one of the cute little puppy backback ones at Target for Josh before we went to the zoo in Omaha last year. It's cute! We also used it at the fair - much, much better than pushing a stroller around through the crowds!
I just saw a gal at the mall yesterday w/ one - one of the animal backpacks...I personally think they're a great idea. I honestly don't know why I haven't gotten one for my 3-year old - she doesn't sit in a stroller, yet runs away from me if I let her "loose"! I think I'll get one today!
I just bought one of the Eddie Bauer ones at Target for $8.99. It looks like a little monkey. It is adjustable, I dont remember what age it is supposed to go to, but with all the bstraps let out, its quite large. The part the parent hold onto has a loop at the end and completely detaches from the backpack. There is a small velcro closure, pocket that will hold a snack and a diaper folded in half. We use it al the time. Were expecting a baby in October and I dont want to spend the money on a double stroller becasue my 2yo wont stay in it anyways. So far we havent had anyone give us the evil eye, but if they do I dont care:) i am the one who had to wrangle the kid, as long as I dont have her strapped down, who should care?
I think your child's safety is way more important than the opinions of strangers. We have a cute, red Elmo one that connects to the wrist and use it occasionally. It's not about treating the child like a dog, but rather caring enough about them that you don't want them wandering off, getting hit by a car, or kidnapped in a crowded place. Maybe my kid is a little embarrassed by this "leash" (although I really don't even think he cares, if anything he thinks it's cool and something new/fun) but at least he's alive and right by my side, and that's all that matters.
My mom had these for my brother and I when we were little. She said it was the best thing she had ever bought. It saved my brother's life once. I don't think they are cruel at all. My mom did say one time a lady chewed her out saying how cruel it was and that we weren't "dogs", but who cares what anyone thinks? Your childs safety is the most important thing!
I actually bought one for Dakota since daddy was always forgetting to teach him to hold onto our hand when walking around. But I found it not so easy to get on him either. And plus we went and bought a second one...bc we found one with his loved friend ELMO on it. lol But needless to say we haven't use them much, if at all. But I'm not getting rid of both just yet...we may still need one sometime.
Where did you find an ELMO one? Kyli LOVES Elmo and would maybe actually use this one. I am going to buy one the next time I'm out, but if I can find an Elmo one we will go that way! Otherwise it will ahve to be a puppy.
TJ Maxx had an Elmo backpack/leash a while back ... I didn't notice the last time I was there if they still had them or not.
We actually got it at Walmart...but it was in Sioux City! If you can't find one here...we're going back home to Sioux City this next weekend..and I can get you one. Just PM me and we can talk more about it.
We got our Elmo one about six months ago at the East side Walmart. Maybe they still have them? It was only around five dollars.
Okay, I just picked one up at Target, and my daughter and I both LOVE it! Thanks for posting this. You may have, literally, just saved a life . . .
Lucky you! Paul and Elijah went to Target today and I asked Paul to pick one up. He's like, "Are you kidding me? A leash for my kid? No way!" Jerk. Ha! Just kidding. That just means he's going to have the wildest craziest of our kids (varies day to day) on our next several outings. =) Betcha he changes his mind by the 4th of July.
You can borrow mine when Paul's not around! Hee! Your secret's safe with me!
Hey, I picked one up today, too for my son! We got the monkey...which one did you get?
~What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy.
We got the monkey too! Love the tail!! My daughter loves it because she's always jealous of her brothers "pack pack" (backpack). Now she thinks she has one of her own!! Little does she know . . . heeheehee
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Just out of curiosity I was wondering what you all think of the children's safety harness(pretty much a child leash)? Do you think it is a great idea or cruelty to the child?
I personally have used a child safety harness starting with my 6 year old, it probably saved his life. After my first dd was born he would undo his seat belt and bolt while I was trying to get my dd out of her infant seat. We were at Kmart once and he came within inches of getting hit by a car. I was so scared, I started doing some research and found the child harness. I now use it with my 3 yo and I get mixed reviews from strangers. Alot of older ladies and gentlemen commend me while I get dirty looks from the younger crowd. I am all by myself during the week with my kids and it's really hard to handle 3 little kids. The harness gives my 3 yo independence to walk by herself but keeps her safely tied to the shopping cart/stroller etc so that she can't run away or get into trouble. I have had a few parents even ask me where I bought it so I thought I would get your opinions on the subject.