Serious Question for MILFS (pics)

That's a tough question. Do you live in a busy city, walking on a busy street? Is your toddler a "runner," always trying to chase after things she sees while walking with you? I live in the suburbs and my son is 17 and was never harnassed and I never had any issues. My Aunt harnassed her toddler while we were on a ferry crossing over to Holland and it saved her life when she almost fell down some steep stairs. Do what's best for your family... only you know what that is. Hope that helps!

I went to take my two sons on a walk. My older (almost 3 years old) wanted to walk. I was holding his hand when my wife stopped me and slapped one of these on them. I also had the other one in a double stroller.



When is it appropriate to harness your child and at what age(s)?

Thanks :flowerforyou:

As soon as mine were walking with me when we went out (12 months), I had them on reins/harness. Their safety was paramount and it meant they couldn't suddenly run into the road etc.

I have 6 kids and have never nor will ever use one of these.

two kids, never used one. i somehow managed to make it thru childhood without one, so i'm going to assume my kids don't have any more suicidal tendencies than i did

Never. They're kids, not dogs.

That is uncalled for. I used reins and it kept them safe.

I was walking along the road the other day and to my utter horror a woman coming towards me suddenly shot towards the busy main road, it was then I realized that her little boy had darted away from her. When she grabbed hold of him, he was on the give-way lines and just about to cross into the traffic.

This is exactly the point, they are kids and kids can run about and they may not be road traffic-wise.

I've never used them on my own kids or any of the ones I look after, I think they are awful and usually unnecessary.

However, If I had a runner I would use them in this case but only if there was a reason I couldn't hold the childs hand, for example if I was pushing a buggy I would use one to ensure the childs safety.

I do not understand people that use them on kids that don't run away or only have 1 or 2 children.

When I went to take my oldest daughter who turn 3 in august to the zoo we used one since a stroller can be cumbersome at times, my youngest almost 15 months haven't had to yet,my oldest always wanders away and it makes is easier when I really need her to stay close but she is getting better, and with her being so petite I swear people don't always see her. I think they are okay its isn't hurting them and I m not going to yank them with it ,its just a way so they don't go as far away If need be I will use one for my youngest she started walking at 11 months so she is quite mobile these days .Its up to you as a parent do what you feel right .

Time and a place for everything. In the 50s and 60s when I grew up we did not have them, and I am sure we felt we did not need them. But then we did not have or need cell phones either. I wonder if the woman whose child fell in the dog cage at the zoo wished her child was leashed. If I was going go to a dangerous area then yes I would consider it. Just as I would consider taking my cell phone.

I'm SO NOT a fan of these, and I really dislike them!

Well, the way I look at it, trying to lose weight and your child being a 'runner' goes hand in hand. RUN after them, avoid the harness....you might thank them later lol.

Edit - And yes, I'm a mother of 2 boys

Cheers! :drinker:

I prefer holding hands. My parents wanted me to get one (for them to use. They're considerably taller than dh and i and found it hard to hold hands) but I managed to delay buying one until it was no longer necessary.

Thread title disappoints.
Leashes and MILFS should be about something else.

LOL thats what I was thinking totally inappropriate for the topic. OP do you know what MILF means?

I was also against them until I had a runner. (I have 4 kids, my runner was my second). I thought they were inhumane and vowed I would never use one...ever. Then we went to the beach and my son took off for the water. I caught him, before he got in over his knees, but I also had a very active first child to look after, and I knew that if I turned my attention away from my younger son for even a moment, he could be gone again. I bought a harness and never regretted it. I used it until he was probably about 4 or so (and by then I had a third son, so it was really necessary at that point). I stopped using it when he was old enough to understand that running away from me in a busy place could be dangerous and I could trust him not to take off. I kept it through my third and fourth kids, but I don't remember ever needing to use it for them.

You said you were also pushing a double stroller, so I don't think a harness is inappropriate in that situation. You need both hands for the stroller, so it's difficult to hold a hand if you want one child to walk and not be in the stroller. If people judge you but you have your child's safety at heart, then ignore them. Imagine how you would feel if you didn't use it and something unthinkable happened to your little one.

I don't usually comment on to many threads but felt really disgusted by the dog comment. If you were to see how many small children run or wonder off and are never to be found again then i think you would realize that this is a good thing. A childs safety should be the top priority. I love my dogs and keep them on leashes for their safety, and if i had a small child knowing the things i know now i would want them to be safe as well.

I had twins. I used these types of restraints on them occasionally. If you feel you need one then use it, you know your children best. Screw what others think. The *don't leash your children* people are also going to be first to line up and criticize you should something happen to your child if you are *only* holding their hand. ugh...just let people parent their own children on their own. why people have to be critical of someone they don't even know is beyond me.

as for the age...I probably stopped using them completely around 4 or so. cannot completely remember but again...you and your wife know your children best.

I do have one for my daughter as she is a runner. We don't always use it but sometimes she likes to put it on anyway. She has a giraffe one and likes her older siblings to hold it for her.

I would rather hold her hand but she has sensory issues and she hates having her hands held. I'd rather put her in one then for her to run into the middle of the road.