https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 15:16:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2509105 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 08:00:07 +0000 snowjewelz 2509105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bloved: I read on Amazon reviews that a lot of people swap out the short leash for a longer one haha! </p> <p>@jill_a55: I can totally see parents/siblings misusing it and therefore giving it a bad rep too! </p> <p>@LovelyPlum: Yeah, I was thinking about getting a back pack anyway, and I like that you were able to use the handle as a quick "grab them" tool! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2509015 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 05:28:26 +0000 petunia354 2509015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been ncredibly lucky to not have a runner, DS is so good at always holding my hand so we've never needed a leash. I wouldn't hesitate to use one though if I had any concerns about my child's safety. Better to be be safe than sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2509013 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 04:41:42 +0000 bloved 2509013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before I had kids I thought they were terrible. However, ds is a runner and absolutely hated his stroller ever since he could walk. We bought one of those skip-hop ones to use for outtings. That being said we rarely used it because (a) he did not like that either and (b) it did not actually make things easier. But if it worked, I think it actually would have been a good compromise between giving him "freedom" and keeping him safe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2508989 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 00:32:16 +0000 jill_a55 2508989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't yet, but not out of the question. DS is a runner for sure though so I'm sure it will happen soon.</p> <p>My mom leashed us, so no judgement here. The only time it bothers me, is when I see a slightly older sibling holding the leash.... Usually they are tugging the younger kid around and the whole idea of it being a safety precaution seems lost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2508986 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 00:09:07 +0000 sarac 2508986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2508927 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 21:53:58 +0000 LovelyPlum 2508927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: as for the no hand holding, we are still hit and miss over here at 23 months!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2508926 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 21:53:21 +0000 LovelyPlum 2508926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted yes, but the truth is a little more complicated.</p> <p>DD is a runner and has been for as long as she could walk. We bought her a Skip Hop harness backpack right around 13 months, after one too many run-across-the-parking-lot incidents. She loved, and still loves, the backpack, but we had very little luck with the leash. She quickly learned that if she ran away from me while I was holding the leash, she would go flying or faceplant. It turns out she loves that sensation and finds it hilarous, so she did it on purpose all of the time. That meant we quickly abandoned the leash part of it. But, the backpack has a top handle on it, which I found helpful for grabbing before she could slip away unnoticed. It's also great for carrying a small snack, an extra pair of shoes, or a lovey. And it makes her more visible, since it's bright yellow. I'd say it was money well spent, even if we didn't quite use it as expected </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2508837 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 19:52:40 +0000 NavyRN2012 2508837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've seriously thought about getting one for DD. She's a runner, so we have to take the double stroller everywhere, which is really burdensome. I'm just worried about the judgements. I was actually thinking about this the other day and asked my husband how he felt about them. He thinks they're brilliant. Maybe I'll get over my fear of judgement and get one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2508762 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:59:25 +0000 snowjewelz 2508762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: how long is this no hand holding phase?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2508759 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:58:24 +0000 snowjewelz 2508759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotpink: I'm sooo glad that they were ok!! I think sometimes the harness system is more like a safety net for parents! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids/page/2#post-2508757 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:56:55 +0000 snowjewelz 2508757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: ugh, I totally agree that in those situations parents are just using it to slack off almost! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508752 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:50:25 +0000 catomd00 2508752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hAvent but I wouldn't hesitate to. I foresee myself needing one when #2 arrives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508751 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:48:56 +0000 AprilFool 2508751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a skip hop one and have only used it in airports, where we haven't had a stroller and not many hands free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508688 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:12:25 +0000 travelgirl1 2508688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. We lived downtown in a very busy city and although I didn't let her walk in the streets (kept her in the stroller where it was safe) in museums etc there was a time when I would put the backpack leash on her. At the time I was also nannying for another toddler and couldn't just dart after my runaway kid. The feeling of losing sight of my girl was so, so terrifying that I definitely think you have to do what you need to do.<br /> Also, in England no one bats so eyelid, pretty much everyone uses a leash at first. Kids also stop using strollers earlier, I think, so you get younger kids walking around town centres and they are more likely to need the leash. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508677 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 18:03:26 +0000 MsMini 2508677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have absolutely used a "leash" - we bought the skip hop harness backpack because DS went through a BAD running phase when DD was a newborn. I dare someone to openly judge me for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508670 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 17:59:34 +0000 yoursilverlining 2508670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't, but my LO has also never given us any reason to think about using one. They also just kind of skeeve me out, to be honest. That said, I've seen some leashed kids and were they mine, I'd probably leash them too for my own sanity and safety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508667 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 17:56:16 +0000 Maysprout 2508667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't. I don't think I notice most times with those back pack leashes. </p> <p>Two times I've seen them used inappropriately. One time the kid, who looked like they had just learned to walk a couple months ago, started to toddle off. The parents were in an uncrowded place but focused on a game they were playing. I think the kid was within a couple steps but instead of reaching out with his arms or calling the kids name the dad walked over to him and stepped on the leash and the kid who was still walking in the other direction fell backwards. You could tell the dad just didn't think it through, he wasn't trying to be mean. </p> <p>The other time we were at the airport and following parents holding the leash and the kid just walked between people and around while his parents talked. They never said anything to correct the behavior but just tugged him back a couple times when he was tripping people up.<br /> So i think for some parents they just reinforce bad behavior </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508610 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 16:59:30 +0000 sunny 2508610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used one when LO was 18 mo and we were traveling. She wanted to walk everywhere and didn't always let me hold her hand. I didn't want to lose her in the airport or in a crowded city street/tourist attraction. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508579 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 16:21:43 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2508579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not yet, I pick up the screaming/kicking kid if needed. But if it becomes a problem, we won't hesitate to try it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508575 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 16:20:30 +0000 hotpink 2508575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have never used one because I haven't felt the need to, yet. </p> <p>I used to live on a busy city street. One day I saw a neighbor kid maybe 2-3years old chase a ball right off the sidewalk between two parked cars and into the street right in front of oncoming traffic. The car was able to stop and swerve in time. His mother was standing right nearby and was freaking about about how he always runs off even when she calls him for him to stop. After that when I saw them out walking he frequently wore a backpack with a leash. Even though the kid was fine that horrifying moment is burned into my mind and I would use a backpack leash if I felt it would help keep my kids safer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508559 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 16:01:22 +0000 JenGirl 2508559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sons's too young, but I'd definitely use one if needed. No judgement from me! When I was a kid my mom used one and I actually liked it. The old school ones had rainbow wrist bands that were attached by a red coiled telephone type cord. I liked that I had a little more freedom than having to always hold my mom's hand, but it was more manageable for a single mom, especially in crowded areas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508542 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 15:49:45 +0000 Caly 2508542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I really don't understand the weirdness over it, either! Whenever we're out, older generations (50+) make positive comments and how they were a lifesavor for them or how they wish they had them when their children were little, etc. However, I've caught a few younger people give us the side eye. We're still teaching them to stay close, stop at roads, etc, so it's not like they're just running wild on a leash! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508496 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 15:07:11 +0000 autumnlove 2508496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never have and don't really see it here. Wouldn't bother me if another parent used one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508471 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 14:44:33 +0000 Cherrybee 2508471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. Its very much the norm over here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508462 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 14:37:12 +0000 snowjewelz 2508462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: Me too! I just feel weird using one! I don't think I'd use one often, but I can see certain situations where it'd be helpful</p> <p>@oliviaoblivia: That's true. If it's truly a "dangerous" situation I probably would just hold/wear her... </p> <p>@Caly: I agree! It's not harmful to anyone, and I'd think that at least parents are doing something to keep their kids safe! I don't know why there's so much weirdness around it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508451 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 14:31:38 +0000 josina 2508451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am considering one.. DS loves to run, and hates his stroller so I think it would definitely get used, although I think I'd be embarrassed to be using it at the same time! Ugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508382 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:45:36 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2508382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have one runner and one reformed runner. We haven't had to use one.<br /> My oldest lost her walking privileges is she ran and was strapped into the stroller. By 2.5 she gave up on running away and now sticks close by.<br /> My younger is 14 months but has been walking since before she turned mine months. She quick and remarkably able. She doesn't have much opportunity to run. I Peru much just don't let her down if it's dangerous or crowded. She's not cognitively capable of not running away or predicting danger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508358 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:31:35 +0000 Caly 2508358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup. We have the skip hop harness backpacks and use them all the time. 2 two year olds are hard to keep track of and they often don't want to stay in their stroller or cart in the store so the harnesses allow them to feel at least a bit of independence. People can judge us all they want, it isn't going to stop us from using them...they've been a lifesavor! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508356 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:29:28 +0000 nana87 2508356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have one, and are in NYC and commute by walking/public transportation most the time (she's on a stroller strike, lol). LO is really good at holding my hand or staying close--actually she mostly wants to be carried still (she's almsot 2). I do think it would be useful...but I also can't bring myself to get one. We really work on teaching her street safety, and I wear a back pack most of the time (just got it for this purpose) so i have both hands free to grab her as needed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leashing-your-kids#post-2508339 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:21:38 +0000 snowjewelz 2508339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CakeLady: Haha, oh man! That's my friend! Her 3 year old loves to hide and sends them into so many panic attacks! </p>