Hellobee Boards

This is something I used to be judgey about... and now that I have a toddler I am totally not judgey! I however don't own one. We're lucky that Wagon Jr. is a little timid around crowds and new places so he sticks to us pretty well. And when he doesn't, we are just super vigilant about him holding hands and/or staying close. Yes, I'm THAT mom screaming at her kid to come back and stay close.

I hate when people judge about this. A friend of mine took a picture of someone in public w/a kid attached and wrote "worse dad of the year." You have no idea what that situation is! I had a nephew run away from me once, and I honestly had my eyes off of him for no more than 15 seconds while I reached down to put something back on a shelf at a store. If I was going somewhere really busy in public and thought it was a possibility, I'd rather face the scorn of others than risk the safety of my child.

My parents used one on my sister and she liked it! And these were old-school, leather type of things, not the cute little backpacks we have today. But when they tried it on me, I refused. No bribing would get me to put that thing on!

I bought one at Babies R Us bc I had all these gift cards and thought "why not". It's a monkey backpack and so far it stays with her stuffed animals and she plays with it...and occasionally wears it around the house. We detached the leash part and put it in the backpack part. I'm hoping she'll be used to it if/when the time comes...currently she's great at sitting in her stroller or holding out hand in crowded places but I know she will want more and more freedom as she gets older

I have one and it makes me sad when people judge about it. That said, we don't use it at all. I used it once at the mall, and it just wasn't that effective. They pull against it, and then they fall down. That's how you get into the dad pulling the little girl off the floor with the leash scenario. The concept is well-intentioned, but the execution needs work.

No, we do not have one for our son, but I get that they could be totally useful and I would not judge parents for using them. I think in this case, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Our LO is still an infant but when we get to the toddler phase I'm not completely against it if using one would increase the safety of the situation! I hear so many people judge others, sometimes obnoxiously, for using them but I think just like everything else it depends on the situation and the child.

We got one has a hand-me-down. We took it with us to Disney. It was nice because it was sometimes too hot to be in the stroller or be held. Its just unsafe to let her completely walk on her own.

We have one for our nearly 18 month old and we use it pretty frequently. He loves it because he can explore safely and we're always nearby. So glad we have one!

@regberadaisy: The leash is an Eddie Bauer backpack buddy thing so about two feet maybe?

My mom used one on me and my sister when we were young. My sister uses one on her 1.5 y.o. daughter. I will likely use one on my future kids. I would aboslutely hate to lose a child in a crowd. I could care less about judgmental people. Safety will always come first.

I judged before having kids, and I still judge a little now that I have one of my own. My former boss told me a story about how her son would hide inside clothing racks. He wouldn't respond to his name and made it into a game for his mom to find him. After that she had to put him on a toddle leash for his safety. From that point of view, I understand why she chose to do that.

For my own son, I want him to know he has boundaries, and I don't want to set them with a leash. I want him to learn from listening to us. So far he is fine, and he will hold our hands when we're out. I think a leash is appropriate at times, but the needs vary from child to child.

I totally wanted one but DH nixed it. I think they're great!

I always thought they looked silly but I never judged people for having them. I have too many little cousins, neices and nephews to know they will run far and away to chase something sometimes!

I'm pregnant with our first and FIL already GOT one haha. He thought it was cute.

@regeberadaisy: these could be mini personality tests! Is she pretty independent?

@Yin: oh my gosh, one of my sisters did that to my mom! She still gets upset all these later about it. She had gone to get help from a sales lady when she emerged from the clothes. So naughty.

I'm not against them at all and would consider using them! My LO likes to stay close to us though and we actually encourage him to walk away from us in uncrowded situations...hopefully that won't blow up in our face!

I prefer not to use the word "leash" though. I think that only adds to the stigma.

I'm not really a fan. I like the idea of my toddler having independence but also want her to be able to listen to me and not have to rely on a means of tethering to get her to listen. I just think of all of us kids that were raised before the rise in popularity of leashes and somehow our parents were able to keep us safe (my mom had three kids in 35 months) so I know it's doable! If we're out and about and LO won't hold my hand or stay with me, we're going home and she misses out on the fun day out. I'm sure the message will get through eventually.

I try not to judge others but sometimes I can't help but think that some people are taking the easy way out.

LO isn't walking yet but I don't judge when I see leashes. My younger brother was a big wanderer when he was a toddler and when he was 4 or 5 years old, we lost him at the state fair. After that we got a leash for him.

At least they make cute backpacks these days, I think back in the day they looked like real leashes!

I always laughed at them, well now the laugh is on me bc I would get one if need be!! (which im sure I will have to get!)