Are Toddler Leashes Safe?
When my toddler’s runaway behavior was at its peak, I purchased a cute monkey backpack that came with a leash attached. It was so I could keep him in my grasp if he didn’t want to hold my hands when we were in a crowded place. It’s to ensure safety! I said to myself.
One day, I made him wear a backpack at the airport. Even though I tried to act like it was “just a bag”, I could not help but feel the judgemental gazes as I walked him towards the exit gates.
It’s true that toddler leashes and harnesses, or anything else that tethers the child to its parents, is controversial. I can understand it. However, there are some positives to using them safely and positively. Here are a few pros and cons of this highly controversial parenting product.
Let’s face it, toddlers are a lot like puppies.
I know that putting your child on a leash can make him appear – or even feel like a dog you cannot trust. Toddlers can be unpredictable, and lacking in judgment and risk assessment (don’t run toward that ledge!). They have also been known to drink from the water bowl of the dog at an outdoor cafe. Just saying.
They are also not!
Toddlers want to be independent. It may be a disservice to them if you restrict their freedom to explore and make mistakes.
If you have a group of children to protect, a child with a disability who makes it difficult to carry (holds up hand), a toddler who refuses to ride in a jogging stroller, or a runaway toddler that simply cannot be trusted to hold Mummy’s hands (also holds up hand), then is well worth considering.
We’ll only cover the two we know about. There are others, like wrist tethers, which aren’t recommended because they can be dangerous.
The pros
There are many benefits to using a backpack or toddler harness with a leash.
- Keep your baby close to you and away from danger
- You may find that your toddler enjoys the sense of security and autonomy she gets from being able to walk a short distance by herself.
- You can let your toddler carry all her stuff with a backpack that is themed after an animal. It just so happens it has a leash.
- The harness is compact and can be stored in your diaper bag. It will only need to be pulled out when necessary.
- You can buy them cheaply at stores like Kmart
- When you are out with your unpredictable and emotional child, you might feel less anxiety.
Cons
- Restricted your child’s freedom. She is not allowed to explore the world and develop her awareness of danger.
- You make her feel that you do not trust her
- It looks like you are walking your dog, not your child
- You will be judged by others.
- The harness or backpack may be a big problem for your toddler. They might hate it and make it a lot of trouble.
- It may be a game for your toddler to run and try to escape from the backpack.
It is important to consider how you will use the leash.
You may find that your child is more willing to wear the harness or backpack if you do not imply to her that you do not trust her. Instead, you want to protect her. If you limit its use to walking in car parks or near busy roads, your child may perceive it as more of a safety measure than a restriction.
What about me? After that awful airport experience, I never used my monkey leash bag again. I felt judged. I would never judge a parent who has a toddler who is running away if they use one. They are also trying to protect their unpredictable child.
You’ve been there and done that. I’m so glad that my days of running away are over!
Toddler Harnesses – Tried in Court of Public Opinion
You have probably seen a toddler harness. Parents use them at the mall and in town. The backpacks snap on the front. The ‘leash,’ which is removable and fits on the back of the backpack with a handle that parents can hold, is attached to it. Many parents find these ‘leashes,’ which are essentially demeaning, to be a lazy way to avoid holding their child’s hand. A few years ago, there was a report that said that parents who were obliviously looking in store windows might not notice that a child predator cut the ‘leash.’ They then took off with their child. This confirms that parents who wear harnesses walk around in a state of oblivion while their children are leashed.
Due to the controversy that surrounded the harnesses, I was reluctant to purchase them. With four toddlers of the same age, we stand out already. I didn’t want to stir up controversy and hear the comments of parents who were outraged or misinformed. My husband wanted to buy them for some time, but I wasn’t ready to deal with the controversy.
Since the quad stroller broke, I haven’t taken Sugar Snaps anywhere by myself (unless I am in a store where I can place them in my shopping cart). I took them to a park near me that has a playground. It was enough to keep them on the path leading to and away from the playground. It sounded easy enough, so I tried it. The children were very cooperative on the walk from my car to the play area, which was located at the bottom of the hill. A path led to the park. I held their hands, while the two others held hands in front of me. It was a smooth operation.
The playground was a good place for them to play, as there were just two toddlers and two grandmas. I began to feel confident about taking the Sugar Snaps places on my own and keeping them safe. After we had given them enough warnings, the time came to leave. It was time to leave and two of them were happy to do so. If He had been there, we could have used strollers and gotten rid of the protestors. I held their hands instead (the two who were protesting), and the two others walked together up the hill to the car. I opened the doors of the car and they sat together in the grass beside the car.
Then it happened. Before I could stop them, two of my children ran down the hill at full speed. One was in a car, and the other was on the lawn. One was in the car and one was on the lawn. I knew instinctively that the one on the grass would not run, so I ran after them both while glancing back and forth. My heart was pounding as I caught up with them and quickly walked them back up the hill to the other two. My mind raced with all the horrible things that could have occurred as I told the runners to “never repeat that.”
While I was driving home, adrenaline rushed through my veins. As I sat them down, the enormity of what could have occurred hit me.He was in tears when I told him that I would never take them anywhere without a cart again. He gently reminded me that harnesses were an option and my answer was not correct. He picked up animal “backpacks” that were two dogs and two monkeys as our trip to Disneyland neared.
They fell in love as soon as they saw them. Miraculously, there were two who loved the monkeys and two others who loved the dogs. They couldn’t wait to put them on. He then took them for a stroll around the block. Both he and they loved it. He could keep them safe, and he was also able to hold their hands. Two of them preferred not to have to hold hands. Some people object to it, saying that walking a dog is the same. Dog lovers will say they use leashes to keep their dogs safe and not because they are trying to denigrate them. Our children are in car safety seats to keep them safe and not to tether them, just as we use strollers. People who criticize harnesses do so because they are misinformed or have a stereotypical view of them. The backpacks are loved by toddlers, and they do not feel degraded like some adults think. I’d rather have my child run over than be on the news for not using a harness.
I used them for the first time at Disneyland. Had to lift two strollers on the shuttle, while I was able to load all four by myself. I was able to safely do this with the harnesses. They were also useful while we waited in line to ride. We waited in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes and the kids were too squirmy and hesitant to hold hands. They were also tempted to duck underneath the railings. We were able to keep the children safe with harnesses. As an adult, it is impossible to watch all the toddlers while ducking under the railings. This is our first (and likely not our last!) negative comment.
The woman was standing in line with her daughter. Her daughter about six or seven noticed the harnesses. She asked innocently, “What is that, Mommy?” and her mother replied in a harsh tone, “Those leashes!”. I reminded myself of the fact that our children did not know what she had said, or why, so I chose to remain silent for my daughter’s sake. It would be harmful to reprimand a mother before her child. In my head, I had a lot of answers that I didn’t say. She was not in the best position to judge us, as she only had one older child. Nobody likes being judged. Even though we wish we didn’t, we all care about what others think. We might be tempted to wear our pajamas for the entire day if they were more comfortable. I’m sure that we will be tested again in court, but our children’s safety is more important than pleasing strangers. What do you think? What do you think? Your comments are always welcome.
Hold the judgment on one toddler leash.
The child leash has been a source of disagreement between parents and caregivers.
Many leash users report feeling judged by adults, whether they do so directly or in silence. It’s possible that you, as an early childhood educator or parent, have been on both sides of this judgment. The leash is useful in some situations.
Each child grows at his or her own pace. You can’t tell the full story of a child-adult relationship from a glance at a mall or sidewalk. Maybe the child has sensory issues and is uncomfortable with physical contact. Perhaps the adult has mobility issues and the leash will help them stay near the child when out in public.
