kids on leads ????

I have always absolutly hated seeing toddlers being walked around on leads and swore i would never ever ever put my child on one . i even saw one just the other day and only negative thoughts flooded my mind .

BUT.... today i have actually considerd buying one . Amelia is 15months old and definatly a "runner" she hates to sit in her pram but the second shes out she runs away from me , she NEVER holds my hand so i always end up holding her ( which she also hates) or holding her hand and her screaming at me , or putting her back in her pram having a screaming fit . She just so quick , it really does scare me that one day im going to loose her somewhere. Today im going to that earthquale concert in the park here in chch and there are going to be ALOT of people, i am absolutly petrified of loosing Amelia but really really dont want to put her on a leash either .

  i know my mum put one on my sister because like my dd she was also a "runner" , she never needed one for me because i always clung to mum like a leech :) 

what are peoples thoughts on child harnesses these days ? does anyone here ever use one ?

i really cant beleive im even contempplating one as i really do hate them so much but for amelias safety i might just have to look at one , its not fair to keep her in her pram 100% of the time , she loves walking .

i just always have , i dont really know why , I guess i liken it to walking a dog and think it looks a bit deragding to the child but you are right ,its not much different to strapping them in a pram is it .

I personally dislike them but simply because I had an 'accident' in mine, I got tangled in it to the railing on our stairs and my grandma had to cut me out! Got caught round my neck and everything but anyway, I wouldn't hesitate to use or try one on DD if she is a runner and nothing else appears to be working iygwim.

I never understood why people had an issue with them. Sometimes, children need to be prevented from wandering off. I wonder if the people who dislike them dissapprove of popping a kid in a play-pen, it seems like a similar concept to me.

I'll use one if I think it's likely to help at the time

I'd rather see a kid on a leash, than watch a kid be run over by a car, cos at the end of the day sometimes kids can be sooo fast and you just can't catch them

They're a good idea! You get these ones that are like backpacks; I think they look pretty fun.

Here's an example (American site, but first one I found).

I havent to consider this yet but see a lot of they used at my work. I work in arrivals at Auckland International Airport.... they are the best thing for toddlers who hate being in a pushchair/carried... they have the freedom to run a bit but cant disappear on you... some days I wish more travelling parents used them!!!

Whats worse....


Having your kid on a "lead" or having them squashed by a car, snatched, or go missing because a 20 second lapse in concentration is enough time for accidents/mistakes to happen.

I remember girls I worked with making comments about this lady with small children who had them all on leads. Personally I don't see what the problem was lol. Never did I see her running round the store calling out because she couldn't find her children. (Saw plenty of others though).

Will be getting one for my son soon, he's started to decide he would rather walk than sit in his pram. At least that way I'll know where he is ;)

I had one for my son and then my daughter. It was a monkey backpack and the tail had a loop that could go over my wrist. I think anyone who comments or thinks bad thoughts is ignorant. Same sort of person who gives fowl looks at a parent with a tantruming child. Mostly pre children people or older people who have forgotten what it is like to have children.

I lost my son in singapore airport for about 10 mins.   Longest 10 mins of my life and I got a harness as soon as I touched down in NZ. I will never go thru that again.

It is a safety harness. Would you let your kid absail down a wall without a harness. Walking down the street with cars is just as dangerous. Losing him and him ending up in a river like that poor little boy the other day is just tragic. Not that a harness could have helped in that situation necessarily but you get my drift. Forcing your kid into a pushchair while they kick and scream is one of the joys of parenthood but if you could avoid it with a simple harness then why not.   Kids are quick and impulsive and it just takes one time. You could also think of it as a teaching device. It safely gives them independence they need yet is safe as you teach them the rules etc.

I think you are being a great mum by considering it. Also kate I think you should definately invest in one. Toddler wrangling with one is difficult enough with two you would need eyes in the back of your head.

Kate just saw these that could be useful for you too

tommiguard twin reins

Edited by HoneybunsMa