GainesvilleMoms.com

Has anyone tried one of the harness/backpack/leash things for your kid(s)? Did you like it?

I have a VERY active 13 month old and I swore I would never use a leash for him, but he's all over the place when we go anywhere. I'm scared of him running off, but I also am overprotective and worry about someone grabbing him.
The ones with the little animals on them look cute and I think I could deal with it, but I wonder about the overall concept.

Thoughts?

I never liked the idea of them, but I've got a kid that likes to run off as well, so I can understand why a mom would use one. I saw quite a few kids wearing the little animal backpacks this weekend at SeaWorld. They were kind of cute, but ... I probably still wouldn't buy one.

Here's my experience with the kid leashes -- as a parent you think you wont do it because it is too dog-like, and it doesnt seem right to use it on a child. Then your kid starts running around like a crazy person, and you see the sense in using a leash. THEN wehen you use one, they aren't as helpful as you think they will be -- they get tangled around arms and legs, around other people, around fences and benches and what have you. The leashes themselves are a good idea for some folks, but in the practical application, I havent found them to be very helpful.

What they need to make are those "invisible fences" for kids! lol

I did use one every once in a while for my daughter in real busy places when she was younger. At first I thought they were kind of too much like something you'd use for a dog, but I got the backpack one which was a little better.

I agree with Nate, though, in that they aren't as helpful or easy-to-use as you'd expect. I would say go ahead and give it a try to see if it works for you.

The way I look at it is if you do decide to use one, you aren't treating your child like a dog; you are doing what you feel is necessary to keep them safe.

I have never used one. Before I had kids, I used to judge parents that did. Now, I do not judge-even think it is probably a good idea in some instances I just do not think it is for me.

We have two of them, a puppy one and a monkey one...tried them one on Big A and on Middle A....didn't work on either one. They didn't like the feeling on being strapped into or onto something and to tell the truth, I wouldn't either. Middle A threw a fit wearing his, fell to the ground, refused to get up....so they came off both boys just as we entered the gate to SeaWorld. And Nate's right, the leashes got wrapped around other people, stroller handles, our legs....a nightmare!

I always thought they seemed a bit harsh, but then my son started running around like a crazed animal! He thinks its great when we chase him, and i must admit its usually lots of fun chasing his silly bouncy squeeling self around a home and through the yard. However, i did buy one for amusment parks this summer. I bought the cute backpack one that looks like a dog, and the leash is actually a tail! so he can walk around all he wants and i dont have to worry about him sneeking into unrestricted areas or getting snatched.

We resorted to a "leash" (around the waist) after our daughter decided that running out into traffic was fun. It was either buy the leash or chance loosing her (she would literally do her best to wiggle from our hands as we walked).

The last time she needed the leash was the time two young women made a LOUD comment about us thinking our daughter was a "dog." I walked past them, turned, smiled and said, "You should see her sit, beg and roll over." The young women rolled their eyes and walked on. I can still recall whispering "Idiots" under my breath(not a nice feeling or word that I'm proud of).

Within a week, the leash was no longer necessary, but I am still thankful it existed during that brief period when we had huge safety issues with our child.

As for the boy, he STILL doesn't look before he tries to cross a street (with us). He's 8 and I am praying to God he will survive his childhood. He's beginning to get frustrated with me always holding his hand to cross (when I'm with him), but he's simply too irresponsible for me NOT to hold on tight. I don't want a leash for him, though, because I'd be tempted to beat him with it.