Comments on: Children on a leash

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 03:26:01 +0000

I HAVE TWINS. They are 2 years old. One parent works while one parent is with the twins, that’s me. Alone responsible for their well-being, which includes fresh air. Explain, if you have raised twins, how at age 2 you keep them walking next to you in public near everyday hazards like traffic, stairs, water, bikes. At this age, they have not mastered impulse control = listening & obeying. Mine also refuse to hold my hand, I’m talking fall down flat protesting. One used to hold my hand, but saw the other one refusing (twins are monkey see, monkey do) and now both refuse. We as parents work on it of course, but all you who have raised kids, tell me how quickly your toddlers learned to listen 100% perfectly. AND THINK ABOUT IT, all you who criticize. There are safety issues AND fitness issues. My daughter’s physical therapist says anything that allows them time out of a stroller is good for their development and muscle tone, he’s all for this. You think a leash for a couple (hazardous) months at age 2 will land them in therapy? Try a weak, undeveloped kid who gets picked last for games on the playground, because at the age when they had the ability to walk but not the safety-consciousness of older children, the parent constantly strapped them into a stroller. Or the kid who’s paralyzed because he was fast and bolted into traffic while mom stopped to order him an ice cream. DO NOT judge other parents until you know that family’s situation. And ESPECIALLY if you have never raised a child yourself. Ignoramuses.

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By: Vetter

Vetter — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:32:11 +0000

Parents did the same to me 50 odd years ago to keep me from running after wild critters.

Not kidding.

By: bailey

bailey — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:17:48 +0000

omg this totally helped make my point about this at school!!! THANKS!!!!

By: sarah

sarah — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:58:08 +0000

I am the eldest of 4
each subsequent sib is 11 to 18 months apart
Child of 60′s and 70′s
we were part of political demonstrations, trips to amusement parks, beaches, lakes, parties, camping trips etc.
Mother never used a leash
never thought to use a leash
each child survived to adulthood

I have
4 children
First 2 18 months apart
Children have traveled, camped, gone to large festivals etc.
never used a leash
never thought to use a leash
each child survived and now are young adults and teens

Looking at these photos it appears the leash serves as a way to control the child not as a safety measure. In each photo the parent is either not looking at the child or seems to be trying to get the child off the ground or keep the child from doing something.
If a leash is the only tool one has available when taking a child outside, it is time to rethink how one is parenting. The smallest child wants to do what is right- they have a strong desire for order-it is never too early to model and communicate expectations-
If you are using a leash with a child the best advice one could give- please read Maria Montessori.

By: Charise

Charise — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:05:30 +0000

I used to be a harness(leash)hater until yesterday! My family went to the fair, my husband, 3yr old son, 11mo old daughter, and me:) Everything was great until I waited in line to buy my son tickets to get on some rides. My husband had both kids and before he knew it my 3yr old was gone! There were so many people, it took 15 minutes and the help of police to find him! The panic, the anger, the fear, the deal making with God… that is the worst 15 minutes of my life! I purchased the monkey harness 5 minutes ago-IT’S WORTH IT!

By: jason

jason — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:37:58 +0000

As a parent who frequently puts his children on leashes I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. In addition when my kid tries to run away I am able to yank him back. Subsequently he falls down, maybe gets scraped a little, but its ok its negative reinforcement for all of you who didn’t go to college. I have many friends who much like me put their children in harnesses, sometimes we’ll even go to the park and dangle them by the harnesses till their just above the water and can watch the fish. Its a great learning tool in this way. The leashes themselves have these great adjustable straps so even when my kid is squirming and begging me to take it off him, I just tend to leave it to him to try and figure it out. Its great to watch.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:50:58 +0000

I bet all the people who’s children have been abducted while they were within 5 feet of them wish their child was on a leash. Truth is there are some sick people out there who will do harm to your child if given a chance.
I don’t think there is a parent alive who has not lost track of their child for a few moments and had all those bad thoughts flash thru their mind.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:23:08 +0000

I think that these people (well some of them) are actually responsible parents for a couple of reasons:

1. Their children won’t easily be snatched by strangers.

2. How many times have you been in a public place and some (little) kid was running around unsupervised wreaking havoc, getting hurt, and just generally disturbing the peace? Then you always wonder where their parent is.

3. Leashing can keep them from danger. At a young age, kids don’t always want to hold your hand and want to dart away from you at any given chance.

My son is 19-months old and very curious. I haven’t purchased a leash yet because he seems to follow me around quite well right now, but should it ever become an issue, I would use this in a heartbeat in appropriate places.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:23:17 +0000

This was standard practice in the 40′s 50′s and 60′s.