kids on leads ????
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Topic: kids on leads ????
Posted By: julz85
Subject: kids on leads ????
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 9:33am
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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 . ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Replies:
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 9:39am
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I wouldn't think twice about using one. What is the difference between strapping a kid into a pram or strapping them into a harness...at least with both they are safe.
Why do you hate them so much? ------------- 
 Oct 11
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Posted By: julz85
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 9:44am
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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 . ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 9:45am
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We have a lead and its awesome.
DS hates staying in his pram, and he will never hold my hand. There is also no way in hell he will stay near us lol. We get a lot of positive comments regarding it from strangers (mostly older ladies) saying stuff like "What a good idea" and "I wish I had something like that for my kids" I couldn't give a damn that some people may look down on the idea. Ds loves being able to walk while we are out, and it makes my life much easier! ------------- 
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 9:48am
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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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 9:51am
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With the lead she might think she is being miss independent...and burns off some energy lol.
You can get those cutie bag things that just look like back packs if you want to make it look not so dog like lol... -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 10:10am
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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  -------------   
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 10:13am
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When I was 14 yo I was looking after my 18mo cousin. We were in Takapuna waiting to cross a busy intersection when he spotted toyworld across the road and made a run for it. He slipped out of my hand hold and if it hadn't been for the harness he would have been hit by a car turning the corner. It never occured to me not to use a harness when my dd was a toddler walking through the city everyday. Personally I would rather use a harness than lose a child. -------------  
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Posted By: RedHeadDuck
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 10:13am
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 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 10:17am
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part of your problem is that you are thinking of them as a leash, they arent ! they are a safety device!
If you dont like the full reins then you could try a wrist strap. I had one for a while for my runner. got to the point where the kids would argue over who got to wear it! i do hate seeing kids wearing reins and no one is holding them though... take it off before you let your child play i say! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: mothermercury
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 10:43am
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They're a good idea! You get these ones that are like backpacks; I think they look pretty fun.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13866905&findingMethod=rr - Here's an example (American site, but first one I found). |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 10:54am
| I'm glad to see this topic up, as I've been thinking about getting some as well. Jade is a runner, and HATES holding my hand, to the point where she will squirm and kick and scream until I let it go. Now that she has found her (running) feet, she hates being in the pram as well, but I am terrified at the thought of her running away if I let her walk. I don't think Amber is at the stage where she is able to walk all the time though. So I thought of a harness, and am seriously considering it, for both of our welfare and peace of mind. It's interesting to see all of these perspectives. |
Posted By: sbeach
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 11:25am
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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!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: julz85
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 11:26am
im really glad i put this topic up , i honestly thought everyone was against them but it would seem by everyones responses that this isnt the case . i guess i have always thought of them like a leash when i really should be looking at them as a safety device , i am actually going to go out today and buy one before the concert , with an estimated 100,000 people there it just seems like the safest option . the back pack one is a great idea :) thanks ladies for all your thoughts  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: tessie
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 11:50am
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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 ;) |
Posted By: jaycee
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 12:05pm
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I had one for Amy as she was a bit of a runner and it was at the stage that Sophie was tiny and in a capsule - very difficult to manage both sometimes.
We just went to the Hill St farmers market and Sophie asked to wear it  . It is the cute dog backpack one and she is always cuddling it in the car.-------------   
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Posted By: kiwi2
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 12:06pm
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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. |
Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 12:30pm
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I'm getting DD a bag one. She is such a runner and is at the stage where she wants to walk alot. Will be alot easier if she is near me and I know where she is. I also like the idea of the bag as they can carry their lunch around in it Oh and there are times when you are just literally popping in the shops and putting them in a pram isn't worth it. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 12:36pm
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Kate just saw these that could be useful for you too
http://www.twinsuk.co.uk/products/100226/Tommiguard-Twin-Reins/ - tommiguard twin reins ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 12:44pm
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I used one for DS2 & 3 it was the puppy back pack one & so cute they loved wearing it.
I think they are great & it helps keep your child safe which is the goal. There are some really cute girly one out & most of the back pack ones have a pocket in them so my boys put a favourite toys in it. |
Posted By: kiwigal
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 1:02pm
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We have got one DD who is just over 2. Her one is a little butterfly but only thing I don't like is the backpack is extremely small. |
Posted By: catisla
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 1:14pm
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we've got a monkey backpack one we got off trade me - there were a few on there last time i looked.
same reasons as you need one - DD hates holding hands or going in the push chair. i have had a couple of negative comments, but my reply is to ask whether they would prefer to pick up the paper and read about a missing/run over/drowned toddler . . . DD loves the monkey back pack and to be honesy had way more positives than negative comments. ------------- |
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 1:43pm
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Used one with C and if need be will be using one with Ty (and baby )
As so many others have said, they are not a lead, they are a safety device and personally I would much rather have people think badly of me for having my child wearing a harness than feel awful cos my child was no longer with me. Kids run. And kids run FAST . ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MamaMore
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 3:10pm
| We got one when my MIL started looking after my son one morning a week. He was only 2 then and she'd had a stroke 6 months earlier so if he decided to run off it would've been very hard for him to catch her. She's alot better now and hasn't used it in months. |
Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 6:09pm
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Julz we used one for McKayla and the amount of times it just stopped her from falling or running in front of a car....
We will be using one for Andrew as well. I really dont care about any of the comments we do get from people that A: either never had a child. B: so old that they sort of forgot about raising kids or C: from the ones that has their kids in pram until the child is ready to go to school or D: all others. To be honest i will use a harness even if my child was holding my hands all the time. It is easier in a group. Hands get sweaty and can slip out of your hands. It gives them the independence to walk around without you holding onto clothes or hands (which can hurt your back having to bend down to hold their hands or their arms getting tired from holding yours the whole time) I never saw it as a leash like an animal thing although I must say McKayla picked up that some old ladies commenting to me that do I think she is a dog. So she would go on all fours and bark like one.
------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 6:54pm
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I haven't needed one cos my daughters have been clingy wee girls... but if we needed it I wouldn't hesitate to use one. I have had discussions with friends before, and the only negative comments I have heard have been from the ones without kids! I would much rather my child was safe, than worry about what others think...
Hope you enjoyed the concert Julz!! It was sooooo busy eh... I'm sure the safety harness would have been very handy! ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 6:55pm
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hahaha Smoody, that's gorgeous! Noone ever made rude comments to me, I wish they would I'd enjoy giving them a piece of my mind. -------------
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 7:02pm
I have never understood why people hate them!! 
I would rather my kids be wearing a safety harness or a wrist srap than run onto the road and get killed, or run away from me and me not being able to find them. Its a safety device, not a lead. And they are 100% worth in it my opinion. We use a wrist strap for Caden and will do for Bella as well. Ive never had anyone make ride comments to me and if they did they would sure as hell get a earful from me! Ive only ever had good comments! ------------- |
Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 8:34pm
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I think they are a godsend if you have a runner. We borrowed one of those monkey ones when we went to the US for three weeks when DS was 23 months and were so relieved to have it. Especially when walking around places like Grand Canyon. DS only now will hold my hand and he's well over three. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: julz85
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 8:42pm
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i bought a harness today from baby factory today , couldnt find any back pack ones , all they had was a harness or wrist one , i went for the harness but found that amelia Hated it , guess she just has to get use to it . She screamed and performed , she is such a wee maddam . Freckle- concert was good but very busy , im exhausted after running around Amelia all day . ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 9:25pm
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Our runner is Jett, and we have a monkey backpack for him. It's a safety precaution and ESPECIALLY in large crowds it's a lifesaver. It means the child has that little bit of freedom if they don't stay holding your hand, or don't like to be held at all. For Jett, he knows when he's wearing his monkey that he has to listen to mummy and daddy and if he complains about wearing it well he's going in the pram, or that we'll have to hold his wrist, and he would rather the backpack over that.
The only one negative comment came when MIL was using it on Jett along the beach boardwalk and another walker went past and said something about how she was walking her dog... but said it as a joke. MIL didn't think it was funny. ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 10:42pm
| I know you can buy the backpack toddler harnessess in NZ from http://safety4baby.co.nz/toddler_reins_buddy.htm - Safety4Baby and from KMart (I believe they are the same brand, but ones from KMart are cheaper). |
Posted By: kiwi2
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 10:54pm
| Wow those are pricey. (I am not surprised though as I rant and rave about prices all the time since returning home to NZ last year lol) I paid $12 in the states for my monkey harness. Maybe look online over there with the dollar being so good. |
Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 24 October 2010 at 8:31am
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I am someone who has always hated them. I think it is because I feel like it is treating your child like a dog. But now I have a child my opinion has changed and I can definitely see that they have their place.
I haven't bought one but if I did, I would only ever use the wrist ones, I just think they look better. There is quite a good range on trademe. |
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 24 October 2010 at 11:00am
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My friend had the same view,that it made them "like dogs "
But I would rather people thought I treated my kids like dogs, so long as they aren't running towards the road -------------
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kiwi2
Date Posted: 24 October 2010 at 11:41am
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With the whole dog comparision a good comeback is:
So it is ok to keep your dog safe on a lead but not your children. Just a different way to look at it. |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 24 October 2010 at 12:25pm
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Very true Kiwi2!!
Yeah Hila - I think alot of people have that opinion until they have kids themselves! for some reason I think the wristband ones seem like they'd be more annoying to the child than a backpack style one ... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: M.i.s.s.y
Date Posted: 24 October 2010 at 1:25pm
thats awesum, & so true, we have a wrist one & jade loves it, we made a big deal about how cool it was etc & she often wants 2 wear it wen we are just around home as well. makes life so much easier if she wants 2 walk & means i can have jasmine in the pushchair. kids can be so fast, id hate for anything 2 happen to them just because some ppl have negative thoughts about them being like 'dog leads' -------------    
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kiwi2 wrote:Posted By: babylove
Date Posted: 24 October 2010 at 8:19pm
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i just have 2 safety 1st wrist straps.
they are elastic so the child has some freedom and i can hook the to the pram. havent used them in a while will proberbly start using it again as one of mine is now old enough to be walking more. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 24 October 2010 at 9:52pm
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I thought they were mean....until I got a toddler!! id rather be safe than sorry! Using a wrist 'lead' and she swings off it which is a pain, but at least she cant run off ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
http://lilypie.com] 
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Posted By: mrsturtle
Date Posted: 24 October 2010 at 9:59pm
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haha kiwi thas fantastic!
We have a poodle backpack for Emily and its great she likes it too. We didnt have it on the other day and she took of in the supermarket carpark gee can she swerve between parked cars!!! Hubby got her thank god. Would deff reccomend one! |
Posted By: MrsH23
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 12:20am
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I have a wrist lead for DS but don't use it very often (he's usually in the pram) and he didn't used to like wearing it, most of the time now he will hold my hand which is good. This reminds me I must find out where it is and put it in my bag! ------------- Lisa mummy to Ryan http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Jacobsmumma
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 12:00pm
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We're defo going to get a backpack harness for DS who's 16mo, especially for when I am next pregnant as I doubt I'll be able to run after him as quickly as I can now. We tried a velro wrist one while in Babycity the other day and the little monkey managed to get it off before I even started walking!!! ------------- 
(9lbs 6ozs) 
(11lbs 4ozs) |
Posted By: BessieBear
Date Posted: 26 October 2010 at 2:41pm
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Ugh I can't stand them. MIL kept saying she'd boy one and I didn't want her to, she did anyway. She got one that attaches to the child wrist. I keep thinking that if she puts it on DS and he trips over without her paying attention etc his wrist will breke. I can feel it. So I bought a backpack one its a ice block shape with a tiny bag. We've used it a couple of times but he mostly wonders around the house with his bag on( the leash part in the bag) He thinks its realy cool. ------------- Sarah Mum to, Boy 07/2008, Girl 03/2010, Boy 05/2012, Angel 07/08/2014
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Posted By: lil_lease
Date Posted: 26 October 2010 at 8:48pm
I've always liked the thought of them and will definately be getting one for my sprogs when the time comes. I was a runner and my mum used one with me and I'm still here and happy  ------------- Antony, gone but never forgotten 2-4-2010 
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 26 October 2010 at 10:19pm
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I just got a wrist one for DD after her having a fit when I tried it on her yesterday I thought ok I'll get you a bag as she likes wearing her cousins bag, but today she was happy to wear it. I put it on her and said time to put this on and she shook her head and I told her she had to and she nodded and let me do it. Realised she could still run around happy as anything and her and her dad walked down the street growling lol ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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