I’m back from a little blogcation last week, and at the airport as I was catching up on some posts, a family walked by, child on leash.
So, before a huge wave of judgement crossed my mind, I tried to put myself in that parent’s shoes. And as I thought about it further, about how hard it must be to chase little ones around, especially in an airport, I changed my perspective to one of understanding rather than “what the **** are those people doing to their kid!”
I’d love to get your thoughts on this – is putting your kid on a leash a yay or nay?
Darling Little Details {blog} 
These leashes are not meant to make a kid look or feel like a pet. They are a safety device. Just like those gates we have to screw into our walls to prevent falls- they are not “imprisonment” devices. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about purchasing one. Just a few reasons why i think they shouldn’t be frowned upon: 1. There are just times your tot will have too much energy to just sit in a stroller and you have a million things to juggle at the grocery store- it can give him/her the freedom and exercise he/she needs, while giving you peace of mind. 2. If you have multiple kids and need the extra “hand” 3. Traveling- having to assemble and fold a stroller constantly, take baby in and out for checkpoints and boarding area can be really stressful. However, it’s too busy and crowded to just let them (specially the super young ones) be free – and take into consideration the amount of other things you will be struggling with.
Ultimately it’s a personal choice and has a lot to do with lifestyle and your kid. I haven’t bought one yet but have definitely thought about it. I’ve just never come into a situation where i felt it was extremely necessary.
At this moment, I say Nay. But I don’t have a baby outside of my belly yet. When the time comes, I just may completely change my mind.
I’m not a mom and don’t plan on being a mom for a while, but when I see kids on “leashes” when being properly used, I can see the convenience. Especially if you have more than one child. However, when I see parents misuse them, it breaks my hearts. For instance, jerking a child off the ground or yanking the “leash” full force to get them to stop is not appropriate. I can see both sides.
Nay. That’s all I’ll say. But definitely nay. And I am a mom.
Funny, I just had a discussion with my mom about this the other day. My little one just turned one and my free time is severely lacking now that she’s walking. I just can’t imagine purchasing a leash for her. Even though I’m running amok through the house, chasing and praying, there’s no bruise, gash, or nasty wound that happens upon her, kids are people too!
I think there’s probably children that are a bit more on the rambunctious side, but there’s other alternatives for settling them down. I vote no, but to each their own.
From a kid at Disney on a leash: DO NOT SUBJECT YOUR KID TO THIS. If you cannot hold their hand or keep your face out of your phone enough to have a constant eye on them in airports, parks, etc. then you’re an irresponsible parent. I HATE seeing 2 year olds running around the convention center here in Omaha with no parent in sight. It’s like a free baby to anyone with the guts to take them.
My mom removed me from the leash about 5 minutes into Disney once she saw a child on one. It looks bad from the 3rd party view; it is.
When I see them I laugh, but I think you bring up a good point. I am not a mom and in an airport or other busy place, I might appreciate the peace of mind knowing that they can’t just jet off. I don’t think you are a terrible or irresponsible parent if you use one- to me that isn’t fair to lump parents in that category. But I agree that they should be used appropriately and not used to drag kids around. Kids don’t always want to hold your hand and they definitely don’t always want to sit still in a stroller. A leash could be a great compromise for their safety and their desire to feel independent.
I was one of those “never in a million years” people. But becoming a mom made me understand other moms. It was a personal choice not to purchase one because my daughter is pretty well behaved and Ive never come into a situation where I thought it was necessary. I keep a close watch on her all the time. I do think it’s unfair to judge other parents on it. I think the big problem here is that Nay-Sayers are judging the parenting and not the actual harness. (yes its a harness, NOT a leash). To me, it’s a safety device.I say to each their own. I won’t frown upon it because it’s not fair. You can’t blame other parents for wanting to keep their kids safe.
So true!!!
jacin fitzgerald
lovely little details {weddings & events} phone: (203) 533-9880 blog | facebook | twitter | wedding column
I’m not a mama yet but I nanny for a lot of kids and think it depends strongly on the child. I was always super against leashing kids and never had to do so with the twins I nannied from 6 mts to 12 years, even at busy places like Disneyland and Legoland. Both were pretty easy going kids and aside from the normal melt downs they never ran off and were willing to hold hands and stay within sight.
More recently, I nannied for a very mildly autistic little girl whose mother absolutely insisted she wear her “backpack” if she wasn’t in her stroller. She had a difficult time listening, wouldn’t hold your hand and absolutely loved the freedom her backpack gave her. For our 6 block walk to the park she’d wear her backpack on the way there, run out her energy at the park and then ride in her stroller on the way home. For her, the leash meant freedom and exercise and she loved wearing her “monkey pack”.