For magazine article: your views on toddler leashes/harnesses

[Helen38]

Hi,

I'm a writer working on a story for Woman's Day: "Should your toddler wear a leash?" What I'm looking for is one mother who uses a leash/harness and finds it really good, and another mother who doesn't like the idea and uses other techniques to keep their toddler safe. Please email me at helenvnuk@hotmail.com if you would like to be part of the story. I would need to hear from you by Tuesday June 17.

Thanks,
Helen.

[Mum2Bella]

i have 5 children,i have only used the harness for my last childre who is 2,
i brought one of the animal ones m she put her snack n her undies in the pouch n is happy to wear the monkey,
i would put her in the leather strapped white harness as the look more like leashes.

[YMo7]

i have never used one and always hated them until dd came along... she is 2.5 and a nightmare at the shops if she isn't using one. she has the monkey backpack one and she and we love it! :)

[mummeeto2]

Helen38 I've emailed you

[onemummmy]

i dont think they should be called 'leashes' :no:

[mummeeto2]

We always called ours a harness. It was a life saver, cos DS was a runner in a big way

[*~alegna~*]

I LOVE ours for DS. He has just turned 2 & my very own tornado! We just say "put your monkey on" & he's as happy as pie. So much easier too, I don't have to fight him to sit in the pram, he holds on to my pants/skirt & I've got the loop on the end around my wrist jut incase he makes a surprise escape attempt:p. DD is still quite happy in her pouch..thank goodness!

Can I just add though I have had comments whilst out from strangers that "restraining" my toddler is a "form of child abuse"......So is letting him be hit by a car!

[m_jelly]

I've had a couple people say I'm treating my toddler like a dog. I just smile and say "she's such an adorable puppy though!"

I keep it slack and hold her hand, its just a back-up measure. And one I'm frequently thankful for. My little sister got away from us once in a major shopping centre years and years ago. She was missing for an hour. We are very pro-harness now!

[Refresh]

I have never really liked the idea of using them...but dont really notice if other people do.....BUT I AM considering getting one for when we go overseas in a couple of weeks....just to be on the safeside at the big airports.

[Hollywood]

I sometimes let DS have a walk down the street when we're out with the pram. So, there he is on a really busy road toddling along, and I'm pushing the pram as well. He can change direction very suddenly, and I'd rather use a 'leash' and have bring him home alive, than have the unthinkable happen and him dash onto the busy road.

I live in a very built up inner city area of Melbourne, so it's a safety issue when we're out. I want to let him get a bit of exercise, so I see it as a safe option outside. But inside shopping centres I don't use it (yet ;)), I just let him walk and chase him about as he walks into shops. For now he's light enough (12kg) that if shopping is taking too long I just pick him up and carry him.

[PookieLady]

When my little sis was about 2 we were crossing the road and in a flash she let go her our fathers hand and started to run back accross the road into oncomming traffic it scared the heck out of me as im sure it did my parents. My fathers reaction was to grab the first thing he could get his hand on and as horriable as it sounds it was her hair and it saved her life as the on comming car was only 5m away. To think if only she had a harness on.
I use one for my DD, as much as i hate the look of it i always remember that day with my sister. Toddlers are so unpredictable!

Sarah

[lotti]

I haven't used one, but I honestly think I should of. My kids would of loved it.
Especially at the age 2 where they love to walk.
I think it would be kinder to let them walk than to have them strapped in a harness in the stroller where they can't.

[missie_mack]

We love ours and use it as a backup while he learns to walk around shops or down the street. It is a backup if for any reason he decides to let go and run.....
My brother had one when he was a child (the old fashioned leather strap type) despite my mother not needing one for me. I think it is naive to believe what works for one child will work for every child.

[Queen]

I emailed you;)