Child Harness

With my first child (who is now 12) I HATED them and thought the same as you like a leash on an animal BUT I have a 22 month old now and I bought her one of those monkey back packs (there's a dog one also) and the tail is the "leash" and although it's not her favorite she wears it and it helps me keep track of her especially in theme parks. I like it too because there are so many weirdos out there and I want her close so she's not snatched but still able to roam some and not be confined to a stroller.

Good luck.

I use to think the same way you did about it looking like a leash. Although now, I am thinking about getting one for my 21 month old. I would rather him be safe than run into trouble. He is getting faster and I am just getting older. I don't have any information for you, but wanted to let you know that you are not alone with this decision. Good Luck!

T.,

Great Question, I am a sahm of a 4yro, 21/2yro and 9month twins, I think that the harness is the best thing, My son also loves to just run at the drop of a hat, they are not always coopertive but at least I know he is safe, you will get a lot of different respones, but most people who have been there understand, I honestly don't care if it looks like I have my child on a leash, I love them and want them safe, they don't understand the dangers of their simple wandering or running in most cases, lol. Good luck, I know it def. put my mind at ease, It really boils down to how much you care what other people think..... I just want my kids safe....
~C.
livinglifesafer.com

Good mornig T.:

I never in my life thought I would use one of these...when I used to see people with their children on them..I thought it was terrible. See, my oldest daughter never left my side but now my youngest who is 3 and a half....different story........so i bought one from Walmart but it was a hassle with her she hated it..mad a venture out even worse and than I went to Toys R Us and they had one that is a little pink purse that goes over the shoulder wraps at the waist and than has the "Leash", I dont go anywhere without it now..LOL....I can avoid teh looks that I do get from people (the same looks that I used to get)...so I say GO FOR IT!!! LOL....Good luck with it and I hope you get a lot of positive feedback....

I used to hate the idea of the also - my husband still does but he isn't the one dealing with the girls usually. Our eldest never was a "runner" for the most part but the other two - oh yeah they can be and boy do I wish I had one in the past. Something you might want to look at is the ones that look like animals - and are backpacks- and the leash is removable.

Good Luck

I use to tell my family and friends that "I would never put a leash on my child", but that was before I had any children. Now I have a 4 1/2 year old as well as a 5 month old. Both are very active and keep me going in different directions. I purchased a child's harness that looks like a monkey backpack and started using it when my oldest started walking. I don't use it as much since she turned 4, except when we are in crowds. And I plan on doing the same thing with my youngest.

It keeps them safe and attached, but also gives them some room to explore.

My daughter felt the same way until her son turned 2.
By all means, if the harness is needed don't feel bad about using it.
It will keep him safe and help your back.
BTW, my grandson just turned 5 and he is a happy, well adjusted, well
behaved little boy who can't wait to start school in the Fall.

Granny T.

I have twins. At 2 years of age, I was able to take them to Walt Disney World on my own with the help of a double stroller and two harnesses. I had the body harness with the leash attached at the back. It allowed the boys to walk on their own, but not get farther than two feet from me. Many lines at WDW do not allow the stroller, so I would have had to try to hold two sweaty, sunscreen hands while standing in line for 30 minutes or more. That would have never happened. With the harness, we could enjoy ourselves completely. I would not recommend one that is only on the child's wrist, only the body harness.

My son, now 3, is the same way. We have tried all the disipline we can think of and nothing stops him. I too use to think those harnesses looked horrible! Well, we went to Disney two weeks ago and our biggest regret is that we didn't have one! I saw several there that were the cute ones the other mom was talking about. I saw a monkey and a dog that were really cute animals and their tails were the leash. I am pregnant, so my husband was soley responsible for catching and carrying our son. On the last day (Thank God) he back completely went! He is going to a specialist today as a matter of fact and is in physical therapy for it. We now wouldn't think twice about getting one, so don't feel bad!! My mom said that she used one on my brother and got horrible looks from people way back then. But, if she didn't, she doubts he would be around today. With me, she never needed it. Kids are just all very different.

As my bestfriend put it to me today when we just so happened to be chatting about the same issue of the "leash" harness. She said, " You put your dog on a leash because you dont want them to get hit by a car, I put my son in a harness so he doesnt get hit by one either". There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a harness, I have one that has a backpack on it for his cups and toys. Makes life easier and most importantly safer. Also good for first time walkers, you can kind of glide them along so there are less accidents. (GREAT for high trafic places, theme parks, air ports, mall)

I used to feel the same exact way! However, at the time my oldest daughter was quite well behaved...never ran off, always listened, etc. Quite another story with her little sister! My second is going to be 2 in July & she has an independent nature & will keep going if you are chasing her. I decided to give the harness thing a try when we planned a trip to Busch Gardens & I got one that looks like a little bear backpack. She loved it! She loved the freedom, but with limits. She thought it was kinda fun that someone was holding onto her "tail"! It made the day much more relaxing. I didn't have to force her to stay in a stroller all day & was able to let her stretch her little legs without worrying about her running off into the crowd!

I think it's one of those things we think are horrible until we have kids. I was like that. Now I completely understand why they are a good idea. I never had one of the "harness" types. I just used the wrist type to remind my daughter to stay on the sidewalk when we went walking around the neighborhood. One street had more traffic and I didn't want her jumping out into the road.

I would be careful in crowds though. I saw somebody use one at the zoo. You can't expect everybody to see the "leash" part. I saw somebody back right into one and they almost fell and the child did fall.

L.

Hello T.,

I have to say, I've never personally had a problem with the harness, I have used them on my children, I need to get one for my daughter now. You may get a few people that will shake their heads, but it's your child, not theirs, and you do what it takes to make sure that your child is safe and by your side at all times. The only problem that I had when it came to using one was at the grocery store, when I walked past the bakery section, my middle son was on a harness, and I was just walking and looking, not really paying attention, and my son saw the cakes and took off, well I had the harness around my wrist, and I'm a very small person, so needless to say I fell right on the floor, it was actually funny, but that's the only problem I had. So my advice is go for it, I'll be getting another one soon, now that you mention it, lol. Take care, and make sure you don't daze off into dessert heaven while your child spots something they want.

Candi ;O)

Hi T..
I have an almost 2 1/2 yr old daughter. We have the monkey backpack one. She has always been a runner. Now she doesn't so much run now, but will quickly pull her hand out of mine and walk away to go look at something. My husband isn't a big fan of it, but I use it occasionally when i need to. Busch Gardens, large yardsales, and when we went to the parade. It's a cute little monkey, and she has no problem wearing it. I hold the leash, but also hold her hand. At least I know she can't get away when she lets my hand go. It puts my mind at ease and is less stressful than worrying about where she will take off to. I actually don't get any crazy looks (at least I don't think so), most people comment about how cute it is. Besides, does it really matter what it looks like, if it keeps your child safe? I have actually seen the same monkey one that I have, but also they make a pink poodle, frog, dog, koala, horse, and a couple others. Good luck

I had one that went around the wrist. I thought it would be faster to get it on without a struggle when needed. I used it one time and my son, who was around 2 at the time, was sooo embarassed! I never had to use it again. I always kept it in the to go bag and when he'd start giving me trouble all I had to do was ask if I needed to use it. That would usually settle him down. A little later we started a rule- "stay where Mommy can see you." That gave him a little freedom, and me the satisfaction of keeping an eye on him. Good luck!

When my grandson was a toddler he had WAY TOO much energy. One day we were walking through a parking lot I was holding his hand and bam - he took off running right where a car was backing out. He was nearly hit by that car right in front of me. So the leash was used from then on. Kids can be so unfocused and it is our responsibilty to keep them safe. After that incident I told him he needed to stay with Gramma so SHE would not get lost or confused. So now he was helping me.

I agree. I always thought they looked like a leash for an animal and still do, but then I had my daughter. Although I never bought one, I had decided that if we ever went anywhere like Disney or an airport when she was two I would HAVE to get one. She sat in an umbrella stroller well as long as I kept her buckled in. (She is four now) I would rather be safe than sorry. It only takes a minute for someone to snatch him up. And if it puts your mind at ease, go for it. They make cute little backpack ones now, too. Good luck. I have been there. It does get a little easier.

My sister uses a harness for her son, I really don't like it. My son is 22 months old and has been described as "a one man human wrecking ball" by a close family friend (no offence was taken because the description is fairly accurate). He only he has one speed, and it is as fast as he can go. It took a lot of work, and a lot of him dropping to his knees and refusing to walk if I made him hold my hand, but I stayed strong and I won the battle!! I also have a 3 month old so there just is no room for him to "run over" me. It's just not safe. It takes a lot of patience, but practice him holding your hand on your terms, in a place where it won't be so embarassing if he has a melt down. That way when you are in a situation where you need him to be in your control he will already know what to do. Good luck!

Hi T.,
I have one for my alost-2-yo. daughter and I don't leave home without it. I have the one from Target that ws $10 and looks like a puppy dog. She love to wear her puppy dog and it gives her a little bit of independance but still gives me the control. People have actually stopped me in stores and asked me where to get it and some have even THANKED me for using it because of all the children that get lost or snatched these days. I highly recommend getting one!!! It is a life saver in many ways!!

I completely understand your dilema, but I personally think your first instinct is the correct one - don't leash your child. Imagine how wonderful it must be to finally get around on your own after months and months of having to be carried everywhere as an infant. Make up a game to replace the current one of "running from Mommy". Maybe try "catch Mommy" or give him jobs to do that keep him near you "Can you hold my hand and show me where to walk?" You'd be surprised how excited children get when given fun games or jobs to do.

They make the child harness look so cute now. I go back and forth. I have never used one on my 21 month old, but then again, he will still stay in the stroller (not for long I'm sure). Like anything else, everyone has their own way and there is not one specific thing that works for everybody. Especially if your physical health is brought to concern, I would definitely consider investing in one. Some people have such strong feeling against them, but I see plenty of people with them

I think they are great. I used the wrist strap on my oldest daughter when we would walk in crowded areas. Better than to have your child kidnapped or lost.

Hey T.,
I had one of those toddlers and she had no choice but to sit in the stroller wherever we went (tantrums and all); especially b/c my back is bad as well. I really didn't give her a choice. She's now 4, much more pliable and easy to rationalize w/ so we use the cart and stroller as the motivator "to stay near Mommy or you're back in the cart." I didn't like the leash idea either, but I've seen it work at carnivals and parks...and realized the idea behind it was good; I have a friend who used it b/c her boy was ALL over the place.
Good Luck!

It gives them a sense of autonomy while keeping them safe. I started using one on my older child when my baby was born; they are 15 months a part. This harness allowed my toddler to have freedom, instead of being confined to a stroller. He loves his monkey. I tell people, there nothing like having a "monkey on your back" at such a young age.

Well my personal opinion is I don't care for them, like you said I feel like it's putting your child on a leash like an animal....but if physically you could not catch him fast enough and he strayed off into a parking lot than absolutely I wouldn;t worry what other people think! I would rather get looked at funny than my child get hurt! So I hope this helps some! Good luck and take care!

My son figured out how to get out of it (velcro type on the wrist) too fast. Maybe the "chest" harness? I always just kept using the stroller when I needed to go somewhere and keep him at bay.

T.,

I thought the harnesses looked rather bad before I became a mom. I used them with both my sons. I found ones that looked like a little fanny pack with the strap for me come out behind it. I would be their gold fish crackers in the pack and off we went. If it keeps the children safe then I don't care how it looks to others.

T. your son is trying you and your limits. running off I know about that (20 month- son) Every family disciplines differently. My son ran from me once and I told him in a stern voice no and poped his leg. Now when I call him he will run and immediately stop and look at me. You really have to find something that is right for you because these days people speed and we want to keep our babies safe.

T. -

I was a SAHM now I'm a stay at home grandma and have a bit of experience with a harness. My youngest son was a climber. I used harnesses to keep him in his high chair, stroller & shopping carts. I did it for his safety and he turned out just fine without any of the emotional damage some will lead you to believe a harness will cause. One thing I did was teach him to either hold my hand while walking or hold onto my skirt or shorts - that made for an easy transition to freedom. While in the harness he was learning to control his impulses to run off by being responsible for holding on to me so I wouldn't get lost.

Good Luck, D.

I just bought one of the harnesses for my son who also loves to jet off on a whim. I use to say that I would never put one of those things on my child because they looked like something you would put on your pet. It has been a lifesaver I don't have to run after him and can get things done when we are out. I bought mine at walmart and it is a monkey they have them in different styles and it was under $20. they convert from the harness to a book bag for them when they no longer run off. My son loves his and always helps to put it on, its the taking it off that he dont like.

Hi T.,
I just got back from Disney and I used the monkey backpack harness I got from walmart with my 2 year old. While I was at Disney I saw people using them everywhere. I agree with some previous moms- I held my daughters hand while she wore the harness but if she let go I didn't stress too much, especialy while waiting in a line. Most people thought it was cute and liked the idea. I'd rather be safe then worry about what people think. I also "stroller trained" my daughter in preparation for baby #2 on the way. If we are walking in the mall, or somewhere else crowded where I have the stroller with me, I tell her to hold one of the bars on the side of it if she doesn't want to hold my hand. If she lets go then she knows she will go back into the stroller. After a couple times of this she automatically holds the bar when she gets out of the stoller. She knows she can also hold my hand but I think she feels more independent holding the stroller, plus it gives her a choice. If we are somewhere really crowded I still put the harness on her, just in case. Hope this helps!

I think in today's times it is a good idea with all the child crimes being committed today.Some closed minded people may look at this as leashing a pet but My child's safety under my control would be more important. My mother had one of those harnesses for me and I am a grandma now of 7.

I have a seventeen year old and when he was little i used the one that went on his wrist till he figured out how to get it off and then i went to the one that straps around the back,so he couldn't get it off and had no problems with it.i think it was the best thing in the world cause you arent pulling on there little wrist.you ever have some one pull on your wrist it hurts don't it.well think about it they'res,i am sure feels the same.when i herd his wrist pop from him pulling,that was it for me.he was a puller and a runner.he would hang from his wrist to try to get me to let go.it was such a big fight all the time.i was so happy after we got it and he was too.no more pulling and he had his freedom from mom.could walk on his own.such a piece of mind.i then used it with my second one which i couldn't even keep him in his stroller.so while he was in the stroller,he had it on.i didn't care what others thought,i was happy and he was happy.that was all that matter and life was a lot easier on both of us.it kept them from running off getting lost or being stolen.like i said,life was a lot easier after i got mine.will have one with grandkids too.but those that have those stuffed animals on them,you goto remember if it is hot out,what will a coat on your child be like to him or her.that is why i liked the one that was just straps.wear in all weather.but the kids probly like the cute ones..so it is a judgment call on that day which one i would use.i hope this has helped....always T....