Question:

Are Toddler Leashes Cruel?

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I was just curious about others opinions on this. I have a leash for my 22mos old girl that I find is useful but I got yelled at recently by a mom about them treating our kids like dogs. Personally, I like them I think it makes it easy to keep track of them and they are more safe then they used to be. So whats everyone's thoughts? Thanks for the imput and stay blessed.

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  1. I wouldn't class them as cruel, but i wouldn't personally use one. Cruel no, degrading, yes.  


  2. I love my Toddler leash. My son has so much energy and so when we go places like the zoo or the mall where there are lots of people it helps me keep him near while allowing him some independence.  

  3. They're not leashes! And they are not cruel...normal kids run off suddenly and it would be crueler to risk the child getting run over or stolen! People have attached their children to things like that for hundreds of years...in the old days they used a rope tied to the childs clothes! Same principal...nothing wrong with it at all.

  4. I also have a 22-month-old and have always thought it's not the best of solutions.  I don't think it's horrible if your kid is under say 27 months because it is obviously a safety issue at that point but I have been able to avoid this altogether by teaching my daughter from early on that she can either ride (stroller, shopping cart, etc.) or walk IF she holds my hand.

    The only place I would seriously consider a leash would be at an airport if we didn't have a stroller available.  I think it's more difficult for children to learn self-restraint though if they don't get the chance to develop it through trial and error.

      

  5. Not in the least bit!!! Toddler leashes are a useful and practical way to allow a younger child mobility while keeping them safe.

    It is better than keeping them locked up in a stroller or cart! I've used these extensively, and my nephew's love them!! They get to run around and play, and their parents and I have peace of mind. I've never been given a complaint about one, and frankly have gotten some compliments!

    As for the mom who yelled at you, she needs to get a clue (maybe some on sale at Wally World...). Seriously, do you think this mom ever sat down and contemplated the issue? We use leashes on dogs to keep them safe and secure, to keep dogs from running away and being hurt or hurting someone else. Personally, I'd take this as a compliment. I'd tell that mom, "Thank you! Thank you for noticing that I choose to keep my child safe while allowing them to play and move about."

    Have a great day!!!

  6. Oh THANK HEAVEN for Toddler harnesses, honestly!  Our son is 21 months old and EVERYWHERE.  He loves it because if it's on he can walk around with us and we don't end up with tantrums on the floor because he doesn't want to hold your hand the whole time or so on.  

    We have one that is like a little back pack that is a monkey and the tail is the "leash" part.  I have gotten so many "where did you find that" questions because it's more "fun" than some of the other ones.  

    People can say it's cruel all they want, but in today's world losing sight of a kid can mean losing your child forever and I am personally not willing to risk it!  

    As long as you are not using it to tie your kid up to the clock pole in the mall then MORE POWER TO YOU and don't let the idiots of this world bother you!!

  7. Funny looking, but not cruel! Toddlers wonder off so easily, and you can't carry them everywhere, all the time. I agree they are for safety.

  8. No they're not cruel. The woman who yelled at you was just one of those know-it-all idiots who like to judge what everybody else is doing. Ignore her. We used a harness for just over 6 months with our little girl. She is full of energy and used to just dart off. Now, at nearly 3 she knows to hold our hand  and stay close. Every time someone makes a comment or post about a toddler harness the CCTV footage of Jamie Bulger pops into my mind (my fellow Brits will know what I'm talking about). It's so easy for a toddler to wander away (or in his case get lured away) and then never see him/her again. I'd rather put up with a few ignorant comments than lose my child.

  9. i guess they're not cruel as long as you don't tug on them or anything.  after all it is a child at the other end.  but you should also try not to rely on that leash too much.  sooner or later you're going to have to stop using it because like everything else there's a certain age where things like that just shouldn't be used anymore.  you should try to make rules (and inforce them) for when you go out to do things like  shopping with your child.  they need to know that they must stay with you at all times.  your child may still be too young to fully understand that just yet so stick with the leash for now.  but do plan to move on from that.

  10. i like to refer to them as harnesses. i don't think they are cruel. Some parents prefer to have their children at arms length. When you know your child likes to wander its probably a good idea.

    The mum that yelled at you is probably jealous she didn't think of it.

    They are useful and you are rearing your kids the way you want them to be reared.

  11. The people who seem to think they are cruel are usually those who are not parents.  I don't have one for my two year old (and I probably should lol).  I used to think they were cruel, but now I have two little kids and I know how rough it can be.  So leash them up, I say!  Being a parent is hard, dang it!  Personally too, I would rather have a leash on my kid than have them run away and get kidnapped or something horrible.

  12. i wouldnt worry about the other person they are just probably misrable with there little life. i dont think they are cruel...

    think of it this way, if your child is on one of them you always have an eye on her- if ur child is not in one anythin can happen, ive see kids run of towards the road etc.... all it takes is that split second !

  13. I personally HATE them! Leashes are for dogs not ur children... I dont think its "cruel", its just not for kids. If u keep ur children in line they wouldnt need one. My daughter is 23 months and I would never think about using a leash on her. What ever happened to just holding their hand when ur out in about or crossing the street?

  14. I dont think they're cruel but for my choice i wouldnt get one for my kids i just dont like it.but hey whatever you think works to keep your kids safe is your choice as long as you're actually caring about theyr safety!=D

  15. No they are not cruel, you are using it for the safety of your child. The woman who yelled at you is an idiot.

    I wish I had one sometimes like yesterday when on our walk my 2 and a half year old ran out onto the road right in front of a car. With the 'leashes' you are allowing your child to have a degree of independance while being 100% safe at the same time

  16. My mother said the same thing too me when I bought one for my son. I told her that I would rather my son look like a dog than end up run over or kidnapped by some freak. I think anything that keeps our kids safe and out of harms way is a great thing. I would tell that mother to mind her own business and keep an eye on her own kids because with out a leash they are in danger. Good luck and don't worry you are not doing anything wrong.

  17. these r a good idea wile u can get one on ur child but when she starts refusing 2 wear it u will have 2 come up with another plan best thing u can do is to make her hold ur hand with the harness still on this way when its time for no harness she souled b used to holding ur hand

  18. I honestly think they are weird.  I think they should be used for children who may have some sort of disability with no self control as far as staying with their parents.  But, a normal child, I think they are just strange.  On the other hand, nobody is going to kidnap your child though, so I can see a positive side too.

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