Leash or stroller? which option works better?

Question

hi..

my son is 18 months old and an amazing runner.now it has become a big problem for me to keep him by my side when we go out. at first when we would go to stores like walmart he prefered to stay by my side and sit in the cart happily. now he refuses and if i force him to sit in it he will scream and try to jump out of it. it becomes too much of a scene when i go out now.recently i made a punishment for him that if he refuses to hold my hand while we are out like on the road i lock him in his stroller immediatly..i have started taking the stroller to walmart as well..he cries and screams on top of his head and i get lots of stares now. i was wondering if i can start using a child safety harness? im worried he might hurt himself one day coz i cant control or run after him all day.i recently found that i am 6 weeks pregnant with no.2 and honestly it scares me that someday he will run soo fast that i will lose him..and i cant keep him in stroller FOREVER! is a leash a very bad idea

Answer 1

Well there are kid leashes where you strap it on like a backpack to the kid and you'll hold it. Then you wont lose him and he'll get some freedom. Kinda

Answer 2

I personally use a stroller.. my son is 34 mos old and I still put him in the stroller.... rather him be safe than sorry... hes a runner like yours... I have 6 kids .. Hes #6.. My other kids never did this ---- they are all different...Good Luck.. CONGRATULATIONS on #2.....

Answer 3

When my three sons were small I used leashes on them. My oldest is 22 months older than my twins. Once they were old enough not to want to be in the stroller I used the leashes to keep them safe. Don't feel bad at all, it's alright and keeps your child(ren)  by your side.

I found the leash to work better once they want to be mobile.

Answer 4

my son started wearing one of those monkey leashs at 12 months.  You see my son was a very early walker (8 months) So he was already running on his 1st birthday.  He is a total wiggle worm and would scream and pull when he was in his stroller.  So I put the monkey leash on him.  Best thing I ever bought.  It has taught him he can't go far from mommy but he is still able to have some independence.  I'm not saying he doesn't throw a fit once in awhile if he doesn't get to go where he wants.  But that's all part of the toddler tantrums.  But try out one of the monkey or bear leashes, they are soft and let him see it has a toy first before you put it on him.  And just remember it will take a little getting used to it.  But once he does it will really help you out a lot.  Good Luck, and congrats on that new baby on the way :)

Answer 5

i think leashes are for dogs not children. Id chose a stroller or a cart for the stores...

Answer 6

He will not like the stroller because it is being used as a punishment.  What if you added something "cool" to the stroller, like an added on steering wheel for him to "drive" so it is more fun for him?  Some stores have carts that are also cars, or racecars, he might like that.  I agree that the leash is a bad idea, and completely inappropriate.  Good luck.

Answer 7

strollers are better

Answer 8

I used the leash with my son.  He loved it, it made him feel like he was a "big boy" but I still had a hold of him.  I now use it on my daughter, and she loves it too.  I recommend using the leash if your son hates the stroller so much.

Answer 9

Not at all.  I used to work in a daycare and it was a safe way to keep track of the kids outside without confining them to strollers.  They also have enough room for him to explore, but short enough for you to grab if you need to.

Answer 10

I don't like leashes. They can tangle around things and they still have too much room to run where they can still "reek havoc" even though attached to you.

Strollers aren't really practical for shopping with in stores. I never understood why people took them to shop when they are not very practical to shop with.

Anyway, that being said. you could just cut an 18 inch piece of cord or rope and make a loop. Tuck the loop through the cart and push the loose ends through the loop. Tell him he has a choice to hold the "rope" or sit in the cart but that screaming or running off is NOT acceptable. If he does it, bring him back and tell him no and put him the cart at that point if he runs off and tell him if he wants to walk he can't run off from you.  If he is all ready in the cart and screaming then stop, put him on a bench or tile spot on the floor and put him in time out and then continue your shopping when it's over.

Strollers at his age only work for malls and airports or where the walking would be too much for little feet to keep up with.