Leashes on your children?

Question

I thought of these things a beyond ridiculous idea every single time I saw parents put their little ones on a "leash".
Today when I was scrolling through Facebook I saw a terrifying video of a little girl getting yanked out of a store in an attempted kidnapping. I know a lot of people who didn't see the video would say "keep a better eye on your kids" or "that's just bad parenting". 
Honestly though the little girl was not even 2 feet away. In fact her mom was looking right at her because the little girl was pointing something out when the guy just busted through the door and grabbed her by the arm. The mom was also holding her baby.

I couldn't help but think the whole time: "those leashes don't seem like such a bad idea in busy areas where things like this could happen in broad daylight at the drop of a dime." 
I feel kinda ignorant for judging those parents that have used these leashes. It's like there's a stigma on them for some reason but in reality they could provide additional safety it seems. 
I mean, I'm not a mom myself so I can't argue with people's parenting choices but I was just curious as to how some of you guys felt about this?

Answer

I've used them for both of my children. My oldest (who is 10 now) was a runner. My youngest is 18 months and he is worse than I've ever seen. He's a runner but scary fast and he has absolutely NO fear. He doesn't like his stroller much anymore and he won't hold my hand, nor does he want me to carry him everywhere (he's not a big fan of wraps/carriers, so that's out). I've tried everything with him so now its using a harness and I really don't care what people think. It's an extra safety measure that still gives him reasonable independence and I don't have to fight with him everywhere we go to sit in his stroller or for him to try to do a Houdini act in my arms to get down so he can walk. He is safer straight up wearing a harness than he is if I was just holding his hand and I feel more comfortable with him using it. It also helps that the harness part is attached to a really soft bear so for him it's like little adventures with his little buddy (he talks to it while we're walking and it's adorable). I've found that most people who look down on harnesses for kids have never dealt with a kid like mine or for those kids with sensory disorders. As parents we do what we can to keep our kids safe. A harness is just another tool we can use and there is nothing wrong with it.

Answer

My nephew has speech delay and will understand but no be able to completely respond. Sometimes hell see a toy he wants ad hell make for it, he's a runner. We've lost him at the mall multiple times. I'm all for leashes as long as the child understands the purpose.

Answer

I don't see anything wrong with them. Maybe is that kid that jumped in the gorilla pit had one on then that poor beautiful gorilla would still be alive.

Answer

I understand he purpose of them, but couldn't put my kid on a leash. I would feel like in treating them like a dog.

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My mom kept me on one when I was little because I loved to wander around when I was a kid, making it impossible for her to actually do anything when trying to shop. I think they are a great idea for little ones to be "independent" but safe at the same time.

Answer

I saw that video today and it was absolutely terrifying! Luckily, she was able to react quickly and strangers helped to detain the kidnapper. If she had looked away for a moment it could have ended so different.

I know how much of a hassle it can be to get the double stroller out every time you want to run into the store real quick. I also know that there are times 3/4 year olds want some independence and want to walk. I've used the leash on my kids. Especially at crowded places like amusement parks, fairs or zoos. I have never even thought about using it in a place where I was just walking in to stand in line. After seeing that video I may reconsider. It's so sad our society has gotten to the point that diligently watching your kids isn't enough and now you have to keep them tethered to you at all times.

Answer

I always judged until my second nephew started walking/running. Every kid doesn't need them but I feel some may. My niece and first nephew don't bolt, they never did. My second nephew (raised in the same environment by the same parents as the other two) just friggin bolts. Worst part is he is scary fast. Had him at the aquarium one day and turned for literally 3 seconds to grab my other nephews hand and he was gone. He was waiting down the stairs and around the corner for me but he ran so fast and got so far so quickly it was insane. The other children honestly can't even run that fast. My sister in law is really good with him so she generally doesn't need a leash but I would never judge her if she got one. I'm done judging people's parenting choices!

Answer

I was like you, I use to judge people who uses leashes until I became a mom. My daughter who's 1 and been walking since 10 months is a runner. I don't have one yet but I'm going get one for when we go out to crowded places.

Answer

Dear Angela,

I'm only 15 and I don't plan to have kids ANYTIME soon, however, I don't think leashes are a bad idea because they keep your child safe. Kids are very active human beings and are easily distracted.

Sometimes when I'm walking in the street, I have to block little kids from crossing the street because they're running towards it while it's a green light.

In addition, I'm seeing so many stories about kidnapping it's ridiculous. So if I were you, I wouldn't care if people considered leashes barbaric, inhumane, or being less of a parent.

If I were to ever see you on the street with your kid with a leash on, my thoughts would be, "Hey! She loves her kids and wants to keep them safe." (Not saying that kids without leashes aren't but w/e).

Everyone has different methods to ensuring their kids' safety. It doesn't mean it's right, wrongs, good, or evil.

Good luck with everything!

Love,
GuruRose❤️

P.S. Don't care about what society thinks or if it's a 'stigma'. Do YOU to protect YOUR children.

Answer

I used one with my son. He has adhd and once he started walking he would take off and I couldn't hold him down pretty much. Even now at 7 he's too old for one but I still have him hold a strap attached to the stroller so he's right there.

Leashes on your children?

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