TheApple

Ohmygod, those people! Children are not animals! If you can't keep a hold of your child in public, then maybe you should stay at home!

I think leashes are crazy.

I agree...keep a better eye on your kid for God's sake!

If the place is that crowded and hectic....then maybe the kid should be in your arms...(little ones will get hurt...won't they?)

When I was a kid my parents had me on a leash until I was 4. This was so embarrasing I still remember being on it. In fact, I recall getting off but moving too fast on a curb and being put back on.When I started kindergarden there were kids who remembered seeing me about town on the leash.

The adults I have seen with children on a leash, don't pay much attention to them. I think it's a devise that makes the adult feel the child is safe but they don't have to watch him/her.

I have used a leash on my child and it prevented him from breaking his neck. I used it when I went walking. One day I stopped to talk to a friend and he climbed up on something that was next to me and slipped. By having the leash on him I was able to hold him up to where he did not touch the floor or bang his head. It also helps when you are on a plane or airport.

With my firstborn I used a leash in crowded places or when I had my hands full with things like luggage in an airport. I saw nothing wrong with the practice and felt like it was a beneficial tool under certain circumstances. Nobody pays 100% attention to their children 100% of the time and I think that the leash is perfectly fine for the times when a parent knows that distraction is likely. It only takes a second for a child to wander away or worse. Predators watch for openings when a parent is distracted.

On the occasions that I used it, yes, some people stared. I even had a few people make nasty comments, but I had positive comments just as often.

IMO, leashes are absurd. But I would stay out of someone else's business if they were using one.

laragans said:

With my firstborn I used a leash in crowded places or when I had my hands full with things like luggage in an airport. I saw nothing wrong with the practice and felt like it was a beneficial tool under certain circumstances. Nobody pays 100% attention to their children 100% of the time and I think that the leash is perfectly fine for the times when a parent knows that distraction is likely. It only takes a second for a child to wander away or worse. Predators watch for openings when a parent is distracted.

On the occasions that I used it, yes, some people stared. I even had a few people make nasty comments, but I had positive comments just as often.

cate7805 said:

laragans said:

With my firstborn I used a leash in crowded places or when I had my hands full with things like luggage in an airport. I saw nothing wrong with the practice and felt like it was a beneficial tool under certain circumstances. Nobody pays 100% attention to their children 100% of the time and I think that the leash is perfectly fine for the times when a parent knows that distraction is likely. It only takes a second for a child to wander away or worse. Predators watch for openings when a parent is distracted.

On the occasions that I used it, yes, some people stared. I even had a few people make nasty comments, but I had positive comments just as often.

My son is now six years old and has always been a well behaved child. The ONE AND ONLY time I have ever used a "leash' was when he was 14 months old. We were flying across country to visit my mother. Our layover was at Chicago O'Hare. I had him, his car seat, and a backpack to keep up with. Anyone who has ever been in this airport knows that it is super crowded. While we were waiting for the second flight I used the leash to allow him to walk around close to me (he was very independent) and so that someone couldn't simply steal my baby! However, I think I got more looks when going from one gate to the other...I strapped and secured his car seat onto one of those luggage totes and then buckled him into his seat! Ha! My original plan was car seat and backpack on the luggage tote but realize real quick it was easier to put the squirming baby in the car seat and backpack on back.

I just went to a football game and saw more children "attached" to their parents than I had every encountered before! Maybe this is really popular right now?

Class_Clown said:

children on leashes should be mandatory!

I have two boys 17 months apart. I admit I did use the leash with my older son when would go shopping. He is a very active child and loves to walk instead of ride in the stroller. Mind you I had a double stroller, so I had a spot for him to ride in, but he wanted to walk. To make life easier, and so that I could go out with both boys I would put the leash on him. He loved being able to walk by mommy. He was to little to understand that he need to hang on to the stroller. Now I don't use the leash, my boys are 3 and 4 do a great job walking with me whne we go out. I think that the leash helped in teaching them how far they can go without being to far away. They are able to be free thinking and independent children, but they know their boundries.

I personally would not use a leash on my kid. I can't give a specific reason, but I would feel weird. When I was on break, walking to the gas station, I did see a group of children with a long leash. I think they were on a field trip. In this sense I can see why it would be logical to use one, especially on walking field trips. Although you tell them to stay on the side walk, there are a few children who wander or just run out. This could be especially dangerous on a busy road.

ktenkely said:

There is a new version of the leash. It is electronic so the kid wears a little pager like device and mom has one. Mom's tells her exactly where the child is at all times and when they are getting too far away.

Nisfornimfa said:

ktenkely said:

There is a new version of the leash. It is electronic so the kid wears a little pager like device and mom has one. Mom's tells her exactly where the child is at all times and when they are getting too far away.

We were just discussing this in my class. We were talking about what it would be like 2025. One of my classmates said that kids would have those tracking device. I don't doubt it with all the technology we have now. I think I would feel more comfortable letting my child use one of those as opposed to the leash. I guess the leash seems more barbaric. And hey, maybe with these electronic devices, there'll be less kidnappings and missing children.