How do you feel about child harnesses?
The child harness... (or "leash" as some call it,) is a hotly debated topic among moms. As parents of multiples, our safety concerns just might make them a little more acceptable. What do you think?
This week's Question of the Week is:
How do you feel about child harnesses?
- Do you use them? Why or why not?
- How do your kids react to them?
- Do you think they are an example of laziness, or simply concern over your child's safety?
- If you are against them, do you think it's more acceptable for a parent of multiples to use them?
- Do you think negatively of other parents that use them?
This is a touchy subject I've found personally {I'll tell more in a bit}. Once I was in the place of being a Mom of a 20 month old and twin baby boys....well, I began to think of the things that could make my life and my children's lives better.
I started to realize as my children made it from crawling to walking (@ 10 & 11 months) and I had their older brother who was 30 months (whatever that is in years, I'm not good at math). I began to see I still had a lot of teaching, guiding and training to do. I wasn't able to go on walks alone, unless I had a stroller and/or back back for my little ones. I began to think of the future, what it would hold for me. I am an active, social person, though having 3 kids has changed that a lot. So, I began to look online and found a double harness/leash that would work for my 2 boys (it does have the option to buy more, but I was hoping my oldest son would listen to me). The first time we tried it out (all camo....to hide dirt, but you can get them in different colors and patterns) we made it from our front door to the lawn. Yes, I know....not very far, but I quickly realized this tool I had would need to be partnered w/training. It was not as easy as a stroller where they are safely contained (and enjoying the ride). I realized that this tool would help me be more independent and mobile with my boys, but first I would have to make sure they were a bit more sure on their feet and teach them how we go for a walk. {By the way, even w/ a leash, if we are in the street I make them hold my hands, and yes, I have figured out how to walk w/ 3 toddlers holding my hands, the leash is just a back up for one who forgets to hold on, or lets go = SAFETY}. So with all the different opinions, I found once a Mom of 3 boys all mobile, that I wanted them all to live!
To answer the questions of this wonderful site..... above,
I may have thought they were lazy or the parent didn't have the proper control over their child (I have learned a lot having 3 boys...and my views have changed). Yes, I may have even viewed them as cruel, even the ones that have the cute back pack stuffed animal w/a leash on it.
My kids did well w/them, they never fought them, and now are use to them. I've used them to walk to our mail box, go to the library and hopefully more places in the future. I would suggest practicing w/them in the house or in a fenced yard first to get the child used to them and obeying your voice, so that your outings are more enjoyable and your child knows what the harness is there for.
I think they are a great tool, and am thankful for them. When I see multiples wearing them, I just smile to myself, knowing. Yes, what a great tool!
Side note.....I do have family memebers that think they are cruel, that I'm hurting my child, and they don't 'believe' in them. But I think that once you've had either a very active child and/or multiples, your concern for their saftey is at the top of your list....and so we use the doube harness. {Our 3 year old listens well, and mostly holds our hands....of course, there are those times, I think I should have one more harness = SAFETY}. I don't have any pictures since I usually use it when my husband is at work. But I'll try to get one to show later.....
