What does everyone think about those toddler harnesses?

I actually agree re: how harnesses look - I still hate the look of them! But most of my friends have babies or are pregnant now, my family lives far away and the PiL aren't interested in our little family, and DH works stupidly long hours so I can't have a 2-person rule when we go out just so someone can keep an eye on DS and the other can (for example) shop. I'd want to let DS not need one and want to be near me and hold my hand, but if that isn't happening then I'm going to put him in a harness just because there are worse things in this world than a harness - him being snatched, run over, injured needing hospitalisation...

Tried the go home when we misbehavied approach but all it did was teach my son that misbehaving got him what he wanted - to go home. So we have a monkey style harness except ours is a horse.

I place much more importance on my sons safety than the way someone else who is obviously a far superior parent than myself thinks.

muggle I totally agree. If we all worried about what other thought, we would never feel confident on how we parent. So if some feel happy having a harnest on there child, yay Just dont put a buggy on the end of them lmao and aks them to nay for you!

When I see someone with one on there child I instantly think "Proctection" not negative. Shopping malls arnt suppose to be for children to run a riot in, go to a park instead! And no one knows anything about that chilkd on the harnest, they could be a handful for the mother, they could be very hyerpactive, they could be clumsy,,, so many reasons could be behind the wearing of that harnest. That is why I do not judge when I see it on a child. I am very lucky I have not needed to use one yet.

Like you soul I don't judge others, nor do I compare myself to others parenting styles so luckily for me I don't think myself or joe blow down the road any more or less superior than myself. Because if I were to do that, I might question how unsafe I was as a parent, which thankfully I don't.

I think if it works for you go for it. Its not like its going to harm anyone.

It's funny that this thread should have come up now because today (after a nightmare trip to the post office) I hit the point where I had to acknowledge that I have to put the boys in harnesses because otherwise I just can't keep them safe anymore.
Up until now I've only used one travelling but Imran is getting speedier by the day so now I have not one but two bolters!! The little monkeys don't even take off in the same direction - they both run off in opposite directions!!
I don't have the luxury of being able to get DH to help (he does his best but he's often to busy) and when I need to get paper-work filed by a deadline I can't just go home.
I guess I need to go shopping tomorrow *shudders at the thought*

Years ago before I had any experience with children I used to think they were awful and would comment to myself that the children are being treated like dogs etc etc. Since having looked after toddlers who have had a habit of just suddenly making a mad dash I totally see the great use for them. If Ash turns out to be a bolter I'll have no worries using one.
I know we can try teach our children to hold hands or things like that but they can be so unpredictable and something catch's there eye and suddenly off they go without warning.
My nephew was a bolter and actually ran off onto a road once suddenly, just let go of my hand and dashed off. Luckily no cars were around.

Um Cailin it wasn't me who said that about being more superior than others, it was actually muggle. I was agreeing on her about not worrying about what others think compared to the childs saftey. HE HE HE but its nice to know you agree with me!

I was agreeing with you... I think its time to hang up my keyboard... for everything seems to be misinterpreted atm. And yes I know what muggle posted.

I felt the exact same. I just didnt want to take credit for what muggles said thats all. How are you taking offense to that? I think we are so not there in sink thats all. Perhaps we start again.

Yes cailin I agree too. er, we both are wonderful parents, yes!!!! lol Not sure what else to say. Everything I just said was being nice, so was above I just didnt wnat to take credit for saying it thats al

Just wanted to point something out to everyone. If you look these harnesses up on ebay there is one currently on there advertised with the heading
'TODDLER HARNESS OR DOG LEASH!'
They are using the dog leash thing as a selling point which tells me that some people just don't care. If people think thats what they look like then so what?? I first saw one when I was 5 or 6 & the dog leash thing never entered my mind. Never has. I honestly just don't see it. Dog leads til recently had a collar & go around a dogs neck. I've never seen a child with a collar on! The way I see it the dog harness came from seeing toddler harnesses, not the other way around. & two year old childern are not more sensible or street wise than a dog. Someone reffered to this with comparing humans to dogs. Sure the dog goes out of its way to chase the car, it doesn't see it as danger & neither does a small child. They might not chase the car, but they don't understand the consequences of their actions yet. Unless they learn for themselves & I don't think we want them to learn these things in this way.
I don't see why this is so frowned upon. We strap them in to a car seat, a pram & a trolley, we put gates up in our houses & lock them inside to keep them safe. Yet when they are out of their homes in what can be a very dangerous place we are expected to let them run free & hope nothing happens?? Do these people also see a play pen out side as a dog yard???

Personally I don't see a problem in the harnesses at all. I think if it keeps your little angel safe then it's all good. I would get one for my DS...actually, now that he's walking I will! :) I have heard people say that they remind them of a dog lead/harness but what's wrong with that!? People love their dogs and that's why they keep them safe. :) Just my opinion anyway. :)

I don't have a problem with them either... I would much rather have the extra reassurance that Aidyn won't break free from my hand and run onto the road.
I used to use one every week when walking through the CBD with Aidyn on my way to meet DP before uni, and also on occasions when we have caught the train... I wouldn't feel safe with just using my hand, and taking a pram on a bus was so much of a struggle - especially when Aidyn wanted to walk.
When there is traffic everywhere, and you have to cross multiple roads, and crowds of people around, I would much rather have him in a harness than not.

Mind you, I always did feel self conscious using one, as if people were judging me. And I always kept a sharp reply on the tip of my tongue if anyone did dare comment.
But what I got instead was on nearly every single outing I would be approached by a mother asking me where on earth did I get such a fantastic harness (it was the monkey backpack one)... so I felt good that I could share the info with them.
I would always hold Aidyn's hand at the same time as the monkey tail... so 1. it didn't look like I was walking a dog. and 2. Aidyn learnt how important it was to hold onto Mummy's hand. And now at the age of 3.5 he certainly doesn't need it anymore and will hold my hand without risk of bolting.

:rolleyes: I used to be totally against them. I would frown on the parents using them.
Since being a mother and having friends with toddlers, I see that they are really a good idea and a good aid.

I was in newcastle yesterday and saw a toddler with one, only his grandparents were on the other end, and it did make sence, they we baby sitting for the day, and we quite elderly, so wouldn't be able to run after him. It was more for his safetly than not being to control the child.

Soul, sorry for the mix up I seemed to have caused you but you got my post.

As long as my son is safe as far as I am concerned I am being a brilliant parent, the fact that my parenting methods may not agree with someonelse's sensibilities and they may think less of my parenting skills is their opinion alone. It does not in any way make me a bad parent or affect the confidence I have in the decisions I have made being correct for my child.

Of course it doesnt! And don't let anyone make you think you are less of a parent. You are trying to do the best by your child, thats all that matters!

And don't worry you didn't cause any trouble for Soul we just got muddled up but we sorted it out ;)

I'm definitely all for them if your little munchkin is a runner. I have a beautiful blue eyed, fair haired daughter and there is absolutely no way I am going to risk her getting away from me in a busy shopping centre so that she is at risk of some sick individual taking her. There are far worse things that could happen to my daughter than her being hit by a car and killed, and I think that a harness of some kind is a great way to ensure you are keeping your child as safe as possible. I've had the unfortunate experience of working in criminal law for a number of years, and having had far too much knowledge of just how some people out there think. If the only thing available to me was a dog collar and leash, and my daughter is a naughty minx, then I would use it.

Cailin, Caro and Sarah - great idea about the hands on car/mummy. Will definitely be using that one!

I love the harnesses.. I have a teddy one for Jack and he just loves it and asks for it to be put on!!!

We used to just put it on him at home, for a bit until he got used to it...

And he is a bolter and when I'm busy with Toby, I know I can have him with me and not able to run off..

And I so agree, rather have a harness than a dead baby!!

And when Jack is old enough then I will use it on Toby..

My girls are really good so i don't need to use one... However if I felt that they are at risk in any way I wouldn't hesitate to use one... I would think of then as an extra hand.
As a teen I saw them as a 'dog lead', that was before I had more than one child to watch. I would hate to lose my ability to have outings with the kids (even if that were to be just grocery shopping) just because I feared my child/children would run away from me.
I think if you feel you may need to use one to keep you child safe as well as keep your independence, than get one, don't worry about what other ppl think or say.

GL
Tanya