Putting your KID on a leash

fteale

Ha ha ha ha ha! I always think of them as leads for toddlers. Never used one for my older son, as he used to lie face down on the floor if I put it on him, and apparently dragging your 18 month old around the supermarket is frowned on. My younger one used to wear his all the time, though. He ran off constantly otherwise. Especially at agricultural shows. He loved it (it was attached to a rucksack that looked like a bee with antennae, and he insisted on carrying his own nappies in it).

fteale

And previous generations may not have used them - but they used pieces of string instead.

Anyway, I don't need to justify anything to anyone here. I hated the idea pre-children, but my son actually liked it. It was that or I carried him every waking hour (which I did for the first 18 months). If you have two toddlers and are looking after other children as well, there are more children than hands, and runner-offers need some management.

jaygregz

My parents used a leash on me when I was a child. I have had not adverse effects due to the leash except for that fact that I occasionally bark at the neighbors.

All kidding aside... this is probably the dumbest topic I've seen in a while. Unlike what you may have heard it doesn't take a village to raise a child. It takes 1 parent (although 2 is preferred) to care and raise their child. It is that parent's right to raise their child according to how they see fit within the confines of the law. As an outsider you can not possibly understand the dynamics of said family so you do not have the right to interfere based on your limited understanding of said situation.

---

Now on a lighter note..

Someone came to my door the other day and told me that my dog was chasing someone on a bike. I told them it couldn't be my dog because he doesn't know how to ride a bike.

rextcat

:laugh:

I put my kid on a leash after he bit a classmate in preschool. I said if you are gonna act lke a dog then I will treat you like a dog. Well, sad to say that idea didnt work and he kept biting classmates. One month later we had to put him down.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: oh wait.......i got into trouble in kindergarden for biting a few classmates hard enough to draw blood, and my friend hard enough to leave a scar that she still shows off.... :laugh: :laugh:

splashangel

testing

rextcat

testing

testing

splashangel

I put my kid on a leash after he bit a classmate in preschool. I said if you are gonna act lke a dog then I will treat you like a dog. Well, sad to say that idea didnt work and he kept biting classmates. One month later we had to put him down.

hope your joking b/c im LMFAO!!!

My mom is dying at this one! single funniest thing i've read on this thread! Once again you've made my night! :flowerforyou:
[/quot

Edited out of respect for the op.

IsleEsme

:huh: I officially regret starting this topic. Just sayin'

splashangel

testing

testing

Ooops!:laugh:

Bahet

Some people in this thread might not need leashes but it would sure be nice if they had muzzles.

devil_in_a_blue_dress

First of all, MFP needs a troll harness to get some of you people under control. :grumble:

Second, take your your young kid into a busy place, have them slip away from you for 3-5 seconds. Then come back and continue to tell people they are the devil for using a harness. Don't think you child could/would possibly do such a thing? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Third, I have no idea how the parents who claim to give their children their 100% undivided attention have any time to spend on the internet. Seriously. Wouldn't waste my precious downtime giving craps what the lesser thans do...:drinker:

Pimpmonkey

I notice this a lot, parents with their toddler on a leash. Personally I think a leash is for a furry animal, not a child. I can't be the only one who feels this way.

My sister and I were both "leashed" when on trips or in crowded places. That was 30 years ago. Don't tell me previous generations didn't do it either , cause my Grandmother had 5 boys and when they walked to town, she tied a rope through all their belt loops so they didn't wander off.

Just cause you wouldn't do something, doesn't give you the right to criticize someone else because they believe it is right in their situation.

liss125

I have always thought putting a kid on a leash was just f-ed up, till i had a kid of my own (who acts like she on crack 24/7) and guess what...I STILL FEEL THE SAME WAY. To me there are very few reasons to put a child on a leash and it has more to do with the parents being lazy and not looking after their children. Don't have them if you can't give them your 100% attention.

You're the absolute biggest liar if you even try to say that you gave your kids 100% of your attention every single second of their lives.

:flowerforyou: (there no smilie for a lady boner but if there was....)

You are clearly just showing your insecurities as a parent by trying to put down my abilities. Of course its impossible to watch your child 24/7 and ensure that they are completely out of harms way. But using a crutch like a leash, which are made for animals, to make your life easier, is just a cop out in my opinion. Play with your child, stay with them, watch them and most of all teach them about safety. Worked pretty good for other generations.

You do realize that you were also putting down the abilities of other parents? It does make life easier, but it certainly isn't the easiest option. We could all keep our children locked up at home and away from fun, crowded activities; that would be the easiest/laziest approach. I took my toddlers to Disney World, zoos, fairs, festivals, amusement parks, hiking trails, sporting events and airports. Yes, my oldest was a firecracker and it was more enjoyable for him to be able to walk around. So I would put him on a leash until his little *kitten* was too worn out; then he would opt for a stroller. That by no means makes me a lazy parent. It makes me an active parent, who wasn't put off by an inquisitive, active toddler.

Pimpmonkey

You do realize that you were also putting down the abilities of other parents? It does make life easier, but it certainly isn't the easiest option. We could all keep our children locked up at home and away from fun, crowded activities; that would be the easiest/laziest approach. I took my toddlers to Disney World, zoos, fairs, festivals, amusement parks, hiking trails, sporting events and airports. Yes, my oldest was a firecracker and it was more enjoyable for him to be able to walk around. So I would put him on a leash until his little *kitten* was too worn out; then he would opt for a stroller. That by no means makes me a lazy parent. It makes me an active parent, who wasn't put off by an inquisitive, active toddler.

Thank you! Our parents toook us to Garden of the Gods, the Smokey Mountains, and all kinds of places growing up. They were "into" us. Instead of leaving us with various family members or babysitters, they took us with them wherever they went and if that meant a leash, then by god we had a leash and we were safe!

Sapporo

Thanks for the inspiration. I took the Elmo backpack and tether out of its package today and tried it on my 19 month old twice to start getting her used to it.
She loves wearing Elmo! I never put the tether on it but I sure will to ruffle some judgey feathers out in public just for kicks sometime this week.

Irish_eyes75

I like leashes just fine.

Oh wait, on kids? I don't have any kids.

Or pets.

naughty!

JosieRawr

Personally... I am quite capable of holding my daughters hand or putting her on my hip/back if I'm worried about safety. she's also quit capable of sitting in a buggy(willing or not) if needed and if I tell her to stand right there so that I can see her, she stays 90% of the time and if she starts to move out of my safe range I correct her. Granted, I have one child. I don't want to "unleash" a misbehaving, snot of a child on the world, therefore to the best of my ability, she is not one... and doesn't need a harness.. I would much rather talk to her and teach her and use my sense of responsibility and parenting to control her. She's four years old and this has never been an issue, yes she has attitude and likes to test her limits some times, but that's what kids do and as a parent, I show her what those limits are and correct her.

(to those who's children are not a typical case do to medical/genetic conditions- please don't take this as a cut on you. And please continue to keep your child safe. )
(To those who are raising bratty kids with no self control and no sense of what authority or respect or limits are... I feel no pity for you..I feel sorry for the world you're children will eventually be unleashed on)
Just my unprofessional, personal opinion as always ~ Josie

elenathegreat

Been there, done that. One of the best safety aides besides the car seat!

IamSheaMc

Personally... I am quite capable of holding my daughters hand or putting her on my hip/back if I'm worried about safety. she's also quit capable of sitting in a buggy(willing or not) if needed and if I tell her to stand right there so that I can see her, she stays 90% of the time and if she starts to move out of my safe range I correct her. Granted, I have one child. I don't want to "unleash" a misbehaving, snot of a child on the world, therefore to the best of my ability, she is not one... and doesn't need a harness.. I would much rather talk to her and teach her and use my sense of responsibility and parenting to control her. She's four years old and this has never been an issue, yes she has attitude and likes to test her limits some times, but that's what kids do and as a parent, I show her what those limits are and correct her.

(to those who's children are not a typical case do to medical/genetic conditions- please don't take this as a cut on you. And please continue to keep your child safe. )
(To those who are raising bratty kids with no self control and no sense of what authority or respect or limits are... I feel no pity for you..I feel sorry for the world you're children will eventually be unleashed on)
Just my unprofessional, personal opinion as always ~ Josie

As my mother did, and as I have done and will do when/if I have my own.

liss125

Personally... I am quite capable of holding my daughters hand or putting her on my hip/back if I'm worried about safety. she's also quit capable of sitting in a buggy(willing or not) if needed and if I tell her to stand right there so that I can see her, she stays 90% of the time and if she starts to move out of my safe range I correct her. Granted, I have one child. I don't want to "unleash" a misbehaving, snot of a child on the world, therefore to the best of my ability, she is not one... and doesn't need a harness.. I would much rather talk to her and teach her and use my sense of responsibility and parenting to control her. She's four years old and this has never been an issue, yes she has attitude and likes to test her limits some times, but that's what kids do and as a parent, I show her what those limits are and correct her.

(to those who's children are not a typical case do to medical/genetic conditions- please don't take this as a cut g deal!on you. And please continue to keep your child safe. )
(To those who are raising bratty kids with no self control and no sense of what authority or respect or limits are... I feel no pity for you..I feel sorry for the world you're children will eventually be unleashed on)
Just my unprofessional, personal opinion as always ~ Josi

Well, she's four. She is old enough to be reasoned with. Big deal.

JosieRawr

Personally... I am quite capable of holding my daughters hand or putting her on my hip/back if I'm worried about safety. she's also quit capable of sitting in a buggy(willing or not) if needed and if I tell her to stand right there so that I can see her, she stays 90% of the time and if she starts to move out of my safe range I correct her. Granted, I have one child. I don't want to "unleash" a misbehaving, snot of a child on the world, therefore to the best of my ability, she is not one... and doesn't need a harness.. I would much rather talk to her and teach her and use my sense of responsibility and parenting to control her. She's four years old and this has never been an issue, yes she has attitude and likes to test her limits some times, but that's what kids do and as a parent, I show her what those limits are and correct her.

(to those who's children are not a typical case do to medical/genetic conditions- please don't take this as a cut g deal!on you. And please continue to keep your child safe. )
(To those who are raising bratty kids with no self control and no sense of what authority or respect or limits are... I feel no pity for you..I feel sorry for the world you're children will eventually be unleashed on)
Just my unprofessional, personal opinion as always ~ Josi

Well, she's four. She is old enough to be reasoned with. Big deal.

And what, you think she popped out as a four year old? What they're taught as babies and toddlers is the foundation for their behavior. she's been old enough to be reasoned with and taught for years... nature doesn't just say *poof* she's four, time to be reasonable!

EDIT:Corrected quotes boxes because it annoyed me..

Bahet

Laughing hysterically at the "I'm a better parent than you" attitude. I hope for your sakes that if you have another child they don't show you just how incredibly different 2 kids raised the same way by the same people can be. I hope for your kids sakes that you just don't have a 2nd child at all. You are far too clueless.

liss125

Personally... I am quite capable of holding my daughters hand or putting her on my hip/back if I'm worried about safety. she's also quit capable of sitting in a buggy(willing or not) if needed and if I tell her to stand right there so that I can see her, she stays 90% of the time and if she starts to move out of my safe range I correct her. Granted, I have one child. I don't want to "unleash" a misbehaving, snot of a child on the world, therefore to the best of my ability, she is not one... and doesn't need a harness.. I would much rather talk to her and teach her and use my sense of responsibility and parenting to control her. She's four years old and this has never been an issue, yes she has attitude and likes to test her limits some times, but that's what kids do and as a parent, I show her what those limits are and correct her.

(to those who's children are not a typical case do to medical/genetic conditions- please don't take this as a cut g deal!on you. And please continue to keep your child safe. )
(To those who are raising bratty kids with no self control and no sense of what authority or respect or limits are... I feel no pity for you..I feel sorry for the world you're children will eventually be unleashed on)
Just my unprofessional, personal opinion as always ~ Josi

Well, she's four. She is old enough to be reasoned with. Big deal.

And what, you think she popped out as a four year old? What they're taught as babies and toddlers is the foundation for their behavior. she's been old enough to be reasoned with and taught for years... nature doesn't just say *poof* she's four, time to be reasonable!

EDIT:Corrected quotes boxes because it annoyed me..

I have a feeling you don't spend any time traveling or doing activities which require extra precautions while dealing with a 2 or three year old child. I suspect you've spent the majority of her toddlerhood at home, out of crowds, really not doing anything interesting enough for her to care about running off. It's things like amusement parks, zoos, hiking and traveling that usually require something like a leash. Not grocery stores, the mall or your local park. And of course you can try to talk to and discipline a two year old until you are blue in the face; they are too young to reason with, not 'bratty.'

KimmyEB

Laughing hysterically at the "I'm a better parent than you" attitude. I hope for your sakes that if you have another child they don't show you just how incredibly different 2 kids raised the same way by the same people can be. I hope for your kids sakes that you just don't have a 2nd child at all. You are far too clueless.

My mom has 3 kids--myself and 2 brothers. All of us were EXTREMELY different children.

I also hate the "my kid would NEVER do that." Yeah...well...some of you people would be surprised at just what your little angels are capable of. I have a friend who is very much against "leashes" for children, yet I do recall saving her kid from being hit by a car because she bolted into a busy parking lot. Even "normal" kids sometimes make a run for it, for no reason (to us, at least, there's no reason).

Wait 'til your kids are teenagers. "My darlings would NEVER smoke pot!" Good luck with that. :laugh:

JosieRawr

Personally... I am quite capable of holding my daughters hand or putting her on my hip/back if I'm worried about safety. she's also quit capable of sitting in a buggy(willing or not) if needed and if I tell her to stand right there so that I can see her, she stays 90% of the time and if she starts to move out of my safe range I correct her. Granted, I have one child. I don't want to "unleash" a misbehaving, snot of a child on the world, therefore to the best of my ability, she is not one... and doesn't need a harness.. I would much rather talk to her and teach her and use my sense of responsibility and parenting to control her. She's four years old and this has never been an issue, yes she has attitude and likes to test her limits some times, but that's what kids do and as a parent, I show her what those limits are and correct her.

(to those who's children are not a typical case do to medical/genetic conditions- please don't take this as a cut g deal!on you. And please continue to keep your child safe. )
(To those who are raising bratty kids with no self control and no sense of what authority or respect or limits are... I feel no pity for you..I feel sorry for the world you're children will eventually be unleashed on)
Just my unprofessional, personal opinion as always ~ Josi

Well, she's four. She is old enough to be reasoned with. Big deal.

And what, you think she popped out as a four year old? What they're taught as babies and toddlers is the foundation for their behavior. she's been old enough to be reasoned with and taught for years... nature doesn't just say *poof* she's four, time to be reasonable!

EDIT:Corrected quotes boxes because it annoyed me..

I have a feeling you don't spend any time traveling or doing activities which require extra precautions while dealing with a 2 or three year old child. I suspect you've spent the majority of her toddlerhood at home, out of crowds, really not doing anything interesting enough for her to care about running off. It's things like amusement parks, zoos, hiking and traveling that usually require something like a leash. Not grocery stores, the mall or your local park. And of course you can try to talk to and discipline a two year old until you are blue in the face; they are too young to reason with, not 'bratty.'

You assume a lot! And you'd be wrong, not that you care, and no, two year olds are not too young to reason with, but you keep telling yourself what ever helps you sleep better at night! I don't need a leash to keep my daughter safe, that's why my eyes watch her and my hand holds hers*when needed*. She's my child, not a pet that I don't really want to deal with but want to keep in range. And I agree Amusement parks, water parks, pools(she's such a water baby, she loves to swim n "dive" taught her to swim last summer@3yrs), hiking, walking around town and traveling do require more attention, but where else would her father n I have our attention on a family outing?

devil_in_a_blue_dress

Personally... I am quite capable of holding my daughters hand or putting her on my hip/back if I'm worried about safety. she's also quit capable of sitting in a buggy(willing or not) if needed and if I tell her to stand right there so that I can see her, she stays 90% of the time and if she starts to move out of my safe range I correct her. Granted, I have one child. I don't want to "unleash" a misbehaving, snot of a child on the world, therefore to the best of my ability, she is not one... and doesn't need a harness.. I would much rather talk to her and teach her and use my sense of responsibility and parenting to control her. She's four years old and this has never been an issue, yes she has attitude and likes to test her limits some times, but that's what kids do and as a parent, I show her what those limits are and correct her.

(to those who's children are not a typical case do to medical/genetic conditions- please don't take this as a cut g deal!on you. And please continue to keep your child safe. )
(To those who are raising bratty kids with no self control and no sense of what authority or respect or limits are... I feel no pity for you..I feel sorry for the world you're children will eventually be unleashed on)
Just my unprofessional, personal opinion as always ~ Josi

Well, she's four. She is old enough to be reasoned with. Big deal.

And what, you think she popped out as a four year old? What they're taught as babies and toddlers is the foundation for their behavior. she's been old enough to be reasoned with and taught for years... nature doesn't just say *poof* she's four, time to be reasonable!

EDIT:Corrected quotes boxes because it annoyed me..

I have a feeling you don't spend any time traveling or doing activities which require extra precautions while dealing with a 2 or three year old child. I suspect you've spent the majority of her toddlerhood at home, out of crowds, really not doing anything interesting enough for her to care about running off. It's things like amusement parks, zoos, hiking and traveling that usually require something like a leash. Not grocery stores, the mall or your local park. And of course you can try to talk to and discipline a two year old until you are blue in the face; they are too young to reason with, not 'bratty.'

^^^^This.

Plus, you have one child. I only have one (she's 3) but I have my niece frequently. It's a whole heck of a lot easier to keep my three year old in a cart or carry her if I don't also have an infant.

When I go to the grocery store with just my daughter, not need to use a harness. With my niece -- yep, I do. She can walk and explore (GOD FORBID YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCE THE WORLD WITHOUT YOUR CONSTANT SUPERVISION), I have my hands freer to push a cart with my niece and shop.

When we are in ANY situation where there are large crowds - it is used. Whoever wants to think I'm a horrible, neglectful parent can I'll just be here, unapologetically, not giving a crap.

KimmyEB

where else would her father n I have our attention on a family outing?

Oh, I don't know...surveying danger? Especially when hiking.

Is it so wrong for a child to want to explore, too, without holding your hand? Try holding someone who is more than twice your height's hand and see how your arm feels by the end of that. Some kids it might not bother, but others it will.

mommared53

I notice this a lot, parents with their toddler on a leash. Personally I think a leash is for a furry animal, not a child. I can't be the only one who feels this way.

My sister and I were both "leashed" when on trips or in crowded places. That was 30 years ago. Don't tell me previous generations didn't do it either , cause my Grandmother had 5 boys and when they walked to town, she tied a rope through all their belt loops so they didn't wander off.

Just cause you wouldn't do something, doesn't give you the right to criticize someone else because they believe it is right in their situation.

I agree, I'm 58 years old and I remember as a very young child, seeing a parent with a harness on her child. That was over 50 years ago. I'm all for a parent using a harness for a child. Instead of making them a bad parent, I believe it makes the parent a very good parent for caring enough about the child to keep him/her safe.

liss125

Personally... I am quite capable of holding my daughters hand or putting her on my hip/back if I'm worried about safety. she's also quit capable of sitting in a buggy(willing or not) if needed and if I tell her to stand right there so that I can see her, she stays 90% of the time and if she starts to move out of my safe range I correct her. Granted, I have one child. I don't want to "unleash" a misbehaving, snot of a child on the world, therefore to the best of my ability, she is not one... and doesn't need a harness.. I would much rather talk to her and teach her and use my sense of responsibility and parenting to control her. She's four years old and this has never been an issue, yes she has attitude and likes to test her limits some times, but that's what kids do and as a parent, I show her what those limits are and correct her.

(to those who's children are not a typical case do to medical/genetic conditions- please don't take this as a cut g deal!on you. And please continue to keep your child safe. )
(To those who are raising bratty kids with no self control and no sense of what authority or respect or limits are... I feel no pity for you..I feel sorry for the world you're children will eventually be unleashed on)
Just my unprofessional, personal opinion as always ~ Josi

Well, she's four. She is old enough to be reasoned with. Big deal.

And what, you think she popped out as a four year old? What they're taught as babies and toddlers is the foundation for their behavior. she's been old enough to be reasoned with and taught for years... nature doesn't just say *poof* she's four, time to be reasonable!

EDIT:Corrected quotes boxes because it annoyed me..

I have a feeling you don't spend any time traveling or doing activities which require extra precautions while dealing with a 2 or three year old child. I suspect you've spent the majority of her toddlerhood at home, out of crowds, really not doing anything interesting enough for her to care about running off. It's things like amusement parks, zoos, hiking and traveling that usually require something like a leash. Not grocery stores, the mall or your local park. And of course you can try to talk to and discipline a two year old until you are blue in the face; they are too young to reason with, not 'bratty.'

You assume a lot! And you'd be wrong, not that you care, and no, two year olds are not too young to reason with, but you keep telling yourself what ever helps you sleep better at night! I don't need a leash to keep my daughter safe, that's why my eyes watch her and my hand holds hers*when needed*. She's my child, not a pet that I don't really want to deal with but want to keep in range. And I agree Amusement parks, water parks, pools(she's such a water baby, she loves to swim n "dive" taught her to swim last summer@3yrs), hiking, walking around town and traveling do require more attention, but where else would her father n I have our attention on a family outing?

I suppose that's fair enough when you only have one. I wouldn't say I don't care, otherwise I wouldn't be so offended by your own initial assumptions. Just love to know what you're feelings are if you happen to someday squeeze out a kid who is hell on wheels like my firstborn:) It is insulting to say he was bratty. It's unfair and untrue. He just loved to be in the mix; a little too much for his own safety. Though, I still think you're asking waaaay too much of a two year old

recoiljpr

We handle this issue with a tool called "The blind hand of justice". When walking, driving or going anywhere if the heathens start not listening or acting correctly I blindly flail my hands towards the general direction of the children in question and the sound. I don't always get the right one, but I do get the slowest one and the one not paying attention. As time went on, they all learned to be on their toes and paying attention to their surroundings and to me.

Now, all I have to do is to say "Do not make me unsheathe the blind hand of justice" and they sort themselves out. Only problem is, the oldest has learned the little ones don't move as fast, so he jumps behind them to use them as a sibling shield. I think with him, it's time to move from "The blind hand of justice" may need to turn into "Dad's aimed paintball of justice"...