What do you really think of those backpacks with a 'lead' attached?
Hi all,
I'd like to know- from those who have and haven't had children yet- what you really think of the backpacks for little kids- I think they look like monkeys? The tail is a handle that mum or dad can hold onto.
I'm seriously considering getting one for ds. I'm not a big fan of the 'kid on a leash' look with a traditional harness thingy, though I understand why they totally neccessary for some mums. But a friend of mine commented that the backpacks are the same thing- she views them with distaste as well. I think they're a great idea, and it would make me feel safer walking around with my super quick, fearless ds (holding his hand just doesn't cut it sometimes).
DS isn't running yet, but I think I'll probably get one. I think if he wants to walk (when he can), he doesn't really care where he walks or runs, as long as he can run. And the lead keeps him from going to far. It it's a choice between holding a lead with a child running around within a certain safe radius, or yelling and getting mad because he keeps running away, then I know what I'll go for.
If you want honest opinions from someone without a child yet, I qualify! I personally hate them - especially the ones that look like my dogs harness - but then I don't have children yet so.......who knows. I am pretty determined I won't have one, then my child will put itself to sleep, not have a dummy, and be a perfect angel
I just have straightforward reins. Works wonders. I think more children should have them. If DS is going to try to escape I want to be able to stop him. Not just roads but steep hills he could fall down, near ponds, strange animals... btw, this is the only thing I ever bought DS that EVERY old granny has approved of! I've been told off for his taste in clothes, for his hats, for him having a comfort toy, for being allowed to snack in his pushchair, for having a carrier... but never reins.
We don't use them a lot but I'd rather see a child with reins than a frustrated mummy and a child with a near-death experience. I've also got a raincoat with inbuilt reins, that's pretty cool.
I have the backpack one for my DS and I love it. He holds my hand while we walk but it gives me the extra security. For me it wasn't just the thought he might bolt but also that he may wander off. DS loves it and often asks to wear the backpack (minus the tail) at home. He likes to put little things in there.
I like them, i brought a monkey one for my DS when he was 4 as he developed a need to run off from his pregnant Mum.
I had the regular ones for my DD as they didn't make them back then. I was someone who thought i would never use them but i soon changed my mind, my DD has a medical condition where her arms dislocate very easily . When she was little we couldn't hold her hand while she walked in case she fell as her arm would dislocate, the harness was our best friend.
Back on topic
I have a monkey one and i think they are great , better then losing a child in the shops or worse have them run into danger.
It's funny that no-one seems to have an issue with me using a lead to keep my dog off the road but when it comes to children it's a differant story....
TBH... i have been thinking about investing in one of these for the past week or so!!
I dont care what people say/ or how they look at me - at least i know Logan isnt going to run away from me! it will give me some piece of mind and keep me sane whilst shopping!
I used to think they were terrible things UNTIL I had DS!! He is the type of child those things were made for LOL
I don't think you can really comment on them until you need one, my DDs were easy to look after at the shops and I must confess I took the credit, I now realise that I was just very lucky LOL
In my experience with a bolter who was later diagnosed with Aspergers, it was a godsend. I haven't needed one with my younger two as they would listen and not run off.
My 2c thinks it's better to face the scorn of the few that scoff and call them a dogs harness than an audience full of scoffers watching you drag your child back off the road when you're 40 weeks PG as was in my case.
our DS as most people would put it...is very "busy"! he is always on the the go & without our Monkey backpack we prob would never go anywhere!!!
Honestly...who cares what others say or think or how they look at you. Until you have been in the situation of wanting to use one or needing it you would never understand. We have had several funny looks & I put that down to people without kids & those who have great kids who follow Mum etc everywhere...yay for them.
We don't use it all of the time, though living remote we travel alot. It's great when at an airport & you don't have a stroller or can't hold all 13kgs of cranky pants who just wants to get down. Or if we are somewhere we know he's going to want to walk on his own but can't have him running off...fantastic.
Now that he is two he's much easier to handle, but just after 12months when he started walking but not understanding us it was great.....don't stress what others think if you want to give it a shot go for it.
and tbh, I wouldn't worry about the options of those without kids.....we all have a range of views etc until we actually had a baby...things quickly change once we do.
I had the tape-type harness, not nice at all. Pip hated it.
Had the wrist-leash, he hated it even more.
He has the backpack (the cow one) and he loves it, he knows it means he's going out. Whenever I have him wearing it, people smile indulgently at him. It carries a sposie in the back or a car / other toy. He loves it, and it gives me the security of knowing that I won't lose him when he's very restless and won't be carried or strapped in.
Personally - we never had one for DD - somehow we always kept her close but I can understand the need for them when your little one just bolts with no warning. I kind of don't like them, but if DD had been a runner - we would definately have got one of the monkey ones - she would have loved a little bag of her own particularly since it was an animal!
I have a VERY active DS- very determined and no fear. Would run where HE wanted to go regardless of where we were. I went to buy one of those back packs and was virtually harassed for putting my child on a 'lead'... People just don't understand that for me it was a nicer way of keeping him safe. He won't even go in the pram or trolley, and definately won't walk along side you.
I really don't care what people think of me. If you don't like it, look away. We'll move on and my son won't be hit by a car or get lost in crowds of people.
I never liked the look of the old harnesses, but the new ones with the animals look pretty cool.
I saw a dad with one on his toddler the other day and in the other hand, dad had the dog on a leash, problem was dad's hands were getting confused on which one needed reining in and which one needed a little direction, so the poor little boy was getting pulled around for a few seconds before dad realised what he was doing lol...I jumped in the car having a nice little chuckle with DH looking at me like i was a weirdo
I think they look hideous but I also think they serve a great purpose!!
I hate seeing them on children as they look like they are being walked like a dog.....however I have a very active neice who can't sit still in her pram and it is the next best thing for her and my sister!
So I guess I think they look awful but I know they can be very helpful and safe!!
What do you really think of those backpacks with a 'lead' attached?
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks