WDYT - Backpack Harness

[little_mrs]

I'm all for them. My mum had one for both me and my brother when we were going thru our 'explore everything' stages and i cannot express enough how they literally saved our lives more than once. Yes she had rude people approch her and ask if her "children do tricks aswell" but let's face it, we've all seen a toddler go running past us in the shops with mum 10 paces behind. It would take half a second for someone to grab that child and disappear before mum caught up, and then there's the danger of roads ect... I think they give the kid some freedom to walk on their own while halving the risks, I will definitely be using one when DD finds her feet.

[krysalyss]

With a lead and harness your child has far more freedom than if they are in the pram. Dogs are on leads so they can have a walk and explore while still being within safety range. This is the same thing. For me it is about giving them some independence and not about controlling them. They can walk around but can't go too far. They are happy, you are happy. If you were going to put a collar on her on the other hand………

[Babyluv]

I'm all for them. My mum had one for both me and my brother when we were going thru our 'explore everything' stages and i cannot express enough how they literally saved our lives more than once. Yes she had rude people approch her and ask if her "children do tricks aswell" but let's face it, we've all seen a toddler go running past us in the shops with mum 10 paces behind. It would take half a second for someone to grab that child and disappear before mum caught up, and then there's the danger of roads ect... I think they give the kid some freedom to walk on their own while halving the risks, I will definitely be using one when DD finds her feet.

I absolutely agree

[blessedatlast]

I'm another one who is in 2 minds about them. The thought of having my child "on a leash" disgusts me to be honest, but if I had a runner, I would consider it. I would hope for me it would be a last resort alternative and with one child I probably wouldn't see the need, however I totally get that with 2, if your chasing one, who's watching the other. So I think if you are comfortable with it then do it. It is better than a child being put in danger..

[indie24]

DD is a runner so we have one. She likes to run when you have things in your hand and it makes it harder for you to catch her. We are at the stage though that she wears it as a backpack and if she continues to run I will use the strap part to hold. She doesn't like that so will stay close by.

[*TripleJ*]

we have one and i love it DS hates being in the pram but has no idea about safety we also have a strap to conncet his hand to mine i just hold his hand its theres in case he decides to bolt but going to the zoo as ZF said with another in a pram its a little difficult so u need them to be safe

[~Hestia~]

I never liked them until I had my own child who just lurves to run I will be getting one for him but I keep forgetting to actually buy it! For me it's about safety and that's all that matters.

[OceanPrincess]

Some very measured responses in here, nice. Not getting out of control...

Someone summed it up nicely, said something about harness vs road safety and in my mind I'd much rather be judged as a parent who "leashes" their child than be a parent who has lost their child due to a road accident. For some kids, my DD included, that's what it came down to. She would just run. Still does, but now she knows what she is doing and she knows how far she can push it. We haven't used the harness in a year or more.

Might be breaking it back out for DS though...

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Thanks everyone both for your responses to my question but also for keeping the conversations under control and not attacking anyone elses ideas.. i knew it could be done

[Freya]

I have horribly behaved children who will run off at any opportunity so we own one thats got a workout. Or even worse, they all sit in the pram at some point. Id rather a leashed child than a child flattened by a car or stolen by a stranger.

That said, if I had perfect children (missed the boat there!) I wouldnt have one.

[Doing my best]

I have used them on both kids, but now only with DS (who is almost 2) and on rare occasions.. Depending on his mood/behavior. He normally holds my hand, but sometimes I just can't take the risk he will definately hold my hand..

However I hate hearing people call them leashes, after all a leash is an item used around the neck to control an animal.

[misty]

The harnesses have been an invaluable tool for both my boys at different stages. They love generally wearing them (we have a monkey one). It has been at particular ages when they have been bolters. We have used the harness as a tool to teach the boys not to run off, and as they have gotten older we haven't needed to use it anymore. One of my sons in particular was (sometimes still is) a big bolter. Nowdays he only has to wear it if he has run off and ignored the warnings to hold onto the pram, or if it is super busy. My thing is that I have always been pregnant and suffering from SPD, whilst having a toddler. This make running after them impossible, so I really didn't have much option then trying the harnesses. I am glad I did, they have (literally) been a lifesaver - the number of times my DS's have tried to run out into traffic whilst crossing the road or run off into a crowd. I would recommend them now to anyone who has more then one small child to watch (it is hard when they both decide to run in opersite directions - or when you have to leave one kid on their own with the pram to chase the other), or who has mobility issues (kids can be awful quick).

[NaeNae]

I loathed the idea of them before I had kids.

DD is going through a phase at the moment she wants to walk EVERYWHERE but WILL NOT hold my hand. I try to keep up with her and am ok for now but as I get bigger and my daughter gets faster I can only see disaster happening

Mind you if I say "STOP" which is a word I do not use often then 99% of the time she stops but she is also still young and I am waiting for the defiant run away from mummy act.

I would prefer her to hold my hand, but I know this will not always be what she wants to do.

I plan on getting her one to have JIC, I'd rather look like I am "walking a dog on a leash" than risk my childs life if she happens to run off, especially around the towns.

[Bloom]

We have one for our DS who is another fearless runner. We called it his "buddy" rather harness or leash. I do hold his hand as well though, so it is a back up system in case he lets go of my hand and makes a dash for it. I found it a godsend when I was heavily pregnant as he could easily outmanouver me!

I do think it is important to teach children safety and listening etc, so that is why it is a back up. I will say "stop" and "hold mummy's hand" etc and try to teach road safety etc.

[butterfly_warrior]

We have one, and we use it. Regularly.

We're pretty lucky that Sam is generally compliant enough to stay in the pram, but he's just about out-grown it. He likes to walk, but he doesn't always like to hold our hands (Mr Independant!). He doesn't often dash off, but I like it for the security of if he does try it. I'm not the most mobile person and pretty much require a walking stick to get around at the moment, so running after him just isn't possible.

Only problem we have... getting too heavy for the pram and too big for the harness and still not old enough and sensible enough to be trusted to walk along alone! We have a system that we can only use when it's the three of us. If Sam stops, I stop and stay with him while DH keeps walking ahead a little. I then just wait a little and ask Sam where daddy is, and he'll look up and run to catch up then. Doesn't work on solo trips, though!