Would you put your child on a leash/a child harness? Why or why not?

[Lucy68]

This morning I went to the park near my home to jog and I saw a mother who had her child on a toddler leash. And every time I go to run an errand I see a few kids mainly toddlers on leash. My own cousin who's two weeks older than me was on a leash/child harness when we were toddlers while I was in a stroller. Is putting children especially young children on toddler leashes becoming more common and are they a good thing.

Yes

No

Maybe/I Don't Know

[19magic]

I don't get why you're all treating the reigns a bad thing, mine don't use hers too often now that she's 3, but if it's a long day shopping and such then I use it, plus I'm trying to avoid using a pushchair and getting her to walk more. Then calling them a leash a well is such a negative term a leash is something you wrap around someone's neck and and tug on it to restrict the airflow, reigns or a harness is something that goes around the body for safety and support.

Cause I didn't have the reigns on lo she squeezed behind a bloke in the arcade and I was with the pushchair so turned a couple of corners and she was gone. I lost her for about 20 mins turns out she left the shop ran around the corner up the stairs to some flats and I found her laughing at the top of the stairs. Had I just put the reigns on her earlier that would have never happened, she had not long turned 2.

But mostly I used the reigns to pick her up as yanking a child by the arm when they fall can dislocate their elbow. Since the harness goes over their shoulders and around their hips, you can lift the whole thing up with no harm.

Lastly the other point I noticed is just carry the child - kinda defeats the purpose of them walking. Just hold their hand - there's also been many times where I'm carrying 3-6 shopping bags already in my hands and onto the bus etc so how am I mean to also hold their hands and/or carry them.

[Cynicaldreamer]

Hahaha... I sure would! And tug on it if they run off too far, or I can't find him/her-

Most people find leashes degrading or wrong. However, when I was a kid, my mom put me on a leash! Yeah, really. Back in the mid to late 80s. She said when she took me shopping, I used to crawl under clothes racks in stores and she couldn't find me. So the leash it made it easier for her to find me if I got too far away from her.

I see no problem with them- it helps parents keep their kids in range. It's not abuse. And the child still has a bit of freedom. Whatever works for parents, let them use it.

[Lucy68]

According to both my aunt and grandma that's why my cousin had to be put on the harness. My aunt went clothes shopping and my cousin decided to play hide and seek with herself. They apparently according to both my grandma and aunt lock the whole store down. They finally found my cousin hiding in the clothes rack.

[Cynicaldreamer]

Bingo! LOL. I did the same thing and it drove my mom crazy (I don't remember any of this because I was still little but my mom sure remembers). I used to crawl under clothes racks and my mom had to hunt for me! So she got me a leash and that fixed the problem until I was old enough to know not to wander away from her.

[Anonymous]

Really depends on the kid. 3 year Olds are notorious for doing whatever the f*ck they want and not listening. I have no problem with it as long as it's done thoughtfully and for the kids own protection or the parents sanity (or both). People who say otherwise either don't have kids or were lucky enough not to have a little shithead. I'm especially for it of its a single mother or if 1 parent is trying to coral multiple children. As most parents know that shit ain't easy and keeping the toddlers close gives you some peace of mind. No reason for them to be out of your grasp anyways.

[Cubus]

No, it's just plain weird and messed-up. Child is not a dog.

[Lucy68]

Yet her dog wasn't on a leash. I think she was extremely confused I don't know.

[Apple1996]

My childern act worse then dogs

[Cubus]

@Lucy68 Thank you for Most Helpful

[NathanDavis]

yes, I would...

and I have done it with little cousins... and they loved it, lol

it was the best way to let them be free to be the HYPER kids they were, and go around like crazy while still keeping them same enough from their impulsiveness and lack of awareness that's usual among younger kids

these few cousins were the "runners" as well... the ones that would just take off and bolt away to anywhere they would want to so, it all depends on what kind of kids you would have

[AmandaYVR]

It's less socially acceptable than it used to be years ago. But I don't think there's anything really wrong with it. I just had a conversation last month with a mother about this. I encouraged her. Her child is a runner. But she won't. She feels too sheepish. People are moral cops nowadays, nosing their way in to other peoples' business.

The only way it is a negative, I think, is if the parent is a 'bubble wrap parent' who is deathly, and often irrationally, afraid of their child being kidnapped, injured, killed, etc. The world is actually not a more dangerous places than decades ago. But anxiety is waaaaay up.

[shyman87]

No, I would not. A child is very curious about the world around them, and putting a leash/ harness on them would make them feel trapped. I suggest that you just keep a watchful eye on your child in other words, supervise them. If you want to have some time to yourself, wait until your child is asleep but don't leave the house. Instead, find some time to relax, or even take a nap yourself.

If you do decide to leave the house, take your child with you or leave them with a trusted friend or family member.

Remember, it's not all about you anymore. You have a "joy to the world", and you have the responsibility of raising them.

[weasley8]

I don't have a problem with it. I say it all depends on the kid. If the kid has a tendency to run off, but doesn't want to sit in the stroller, then yeah. I think a harness is the best bet when you're going to crowded spaces. It's a whole lot better than having the kid run off and get lost.

I know a lot of people see it and compare it to dogs, but if the kid isn't bothered by it, it isn't used as a replacement for communication and boundary setting, and the harness that's being used is ergonomically friendly, I really don't see it as a problem. Lots of kids really hate being restrained to a stroller, but are still too young to be trusted to stay with their parents.

[midnightmoon05]

Never put leash on my two kids. They were taught to hold hands. When they didn’t listen or understand, we stopped, talked to them till they learned. Children are not that difficult as long as they are healthy kids, they will listen.
I do not like when parents do that to kids, better to put leash on the parents lol… shows they do know how to raise kids.
My little sister said she would want to use a leash on her baby. I am just shaking my head. But I know why she would do that. She is letting her baby take control.

[TransAm85]

I remember back in the early '90's my mom wanted to put my little bro on 1 b/c he was too hyper. He has ADHD/Autism and back then they didn't have much treatment for that issue cept Ritalin. Instead, she would just spank him in public if he didn't listen! lol

[D_Bone_Steak]

Yes, I would... but it depends on the kid. Some kids are ultra retarded and just do stupid shit. It's not like I would do it to just any kid.

Think of it like this... if you have a dog that will bite and jump on people... leash and muzzle too much or just thinking about others?

[Lexi_87]

Their saftey harnesses not a leash. And it's to keep the child safe. When I was a toddler, my mum needed one for me because I was the type of child to run the second she took her eyes of me. Some toddlers are fine walking in their own, but some children run off (many times I've seen a toddler run towards a road when the parent took their eyes away for a slight second) and in those cases saftey harnesses are needed

[LazerBean]

Depends on the kid. Probably not for a kid who listens well and stays close to me, but for the Wilder ones who like to run ahead I probably would. I know a lot of people talk about it being inhumane and looking bad, but there are too many child snatchers for me to really care.

[Th3ft]

It’s great! See my parents left all of me and my siblings places… just because we would wander. And all kids do. The thing with the leashes is that it keeps them close. And it allows parents to not worry about them so much. My oldest brother kept all of his kids on leashes but neither of the other two did and they had SO much more fun out and about with their leashes.

[Bob92220]

My Mom used to put me on a leash and it has had a lot of consequences on me. I'm attracted to Dominant women, especially who put their male subs in leashes. I let myself be a doormat for these women. I let myself be a whipping post for their anger issues.

[AviatorTom]

Children are not dogs. A leash is the easy way out of parenting.

When a parent takes their child out to the park or the mall, it's important that the parent keep a close eye on the child. It's also important for the child to learn to stay close to the parent and avoid dangers. None of that happens if the child is on a leash.

[Wraven]

When you see how half this world operates on the road, sidewalks, or in parks, having that buffer is probably better than free range. Definitely not all the time, but for toddlers walking a downtown sidewalk that could deviate into the road at any time. So you really want to put your faith in someone slamming their breaks in this day and age?

If i could i would put my kid into a hover chair when out in busy public.

[Mynameisbobby]

No! My mother put me on a leash when I was little and let my older sister hold the leash. I felt like I was a dog. It was humiliating and disrespectful. Take a child by their hands don't put them on leashes. I see this often and I feel bad for the kids. Treat kids with respect hold their hand.

[MrPickles13]

I actually think yes, as a kid my parents did the same thing in busy places, it gives security knowing they can't run off and that but also safety in that there range movement is limited so they can't easily endanger themselves. I also think the more kids the better it is for the parent so less micro managing.

As well with one it's kinda easy to keep up and tabs on them but if you had 2-3 or more around the same age it could be really tuff especially in busy places.

[shaysh87]

I totally understand why a parent would put a kid on a leash. If I were a mom, I'd do the same. Kids misbehave a lot especially if you have multiple children. Its hard to keep them in order and in control while multi tasking.

[ShaTTeredMasterpeace]

I think they're good for when you're out and about in public and crowded places with kids that like to take off. It sure beats chasing then every 5 seconds. This way they can run but it's limited.

[DizzyDesii]

I've never wanted a pet and refuse to treat my kid like one. If i want to keep up with them, i can carry them, hold their hand or place them in a stroller. Tf lmao

[Lucy68]

Exactly like her dog wasn't on a leash yet her child was.

[DizzyDesii]

Oh wow i missed that whole part

[TenderFantasy]

Sounds like she should've just had a dog instead of a baby lol.

[BillyBalls]

Some kids need a foot in the ass... not a leash!

Red Foreman!! My Hero!!

[Apple1996]

I used one for my kids when they are toddler age. That I want to run away from mommy phase is very dangerous so it's best to keep them close by using a leash.