|
|
| My opinion is if it protects your child, and the only way to keep her safe...USE IT! I've seen too many parents search frantically for their child (who is hiding somewhere in the store) because they won't stay in the stroller. If this was my child, I'd use the harnass. You'll probably get looks and even comments (mostly about how your child isn't a dog), but I'd take all of that over someone taking my child. |
| posted by Sam on 04/08/2008 03:41 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| We've been going to an amusement park at lot recently. We have season tickets. I bought my 18 month old a harness because she doesn't like being couped up in the stroller. It took her a little while to realize that she cant run all around the whole park. But she likes it because she has more freedom to run around than in the stroller, but we always take both and alternate. I felt a little strange at first, but people always smile at us. They think she looks cute walking like a big girl, and she does. People have even asked me where I bought the harness (Walmart.) You should give it a try your daughter might enjoy it, and probably (hopefully) no one will be rude or judge you |
| posted by Keshia on 04/08/2008 04:18 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I understand the extra freedom it gives them, but i've never been in favor of the idea. I'm sorry it just looks like walking a dog on a leash. |
| posted by Afihtan on 04/08/2008 05:26 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| We have not used one yet, but I plan on it for a vacation we are taking next month. We will be in a very busy airport and I want my son to be able to run around instead of sitting in the stroller before we get on the plane. I am afraid that it will be so crowded and people will not be paying attnetion, since he is only 16 months old, and not see him in their way. We are also going to the zoo on vacation and I plan to use it there. We got the kind that is a little backpack that you just clip the strap to the back of. I think it is good to try and teach your child to stay with you, but when it is a safety situation with a lot of people I would use it. |
| posted by Brooke on 04/08/2008 07:56 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I'm so glad Jaimie posted this topic. My son is a very active 19 month old toddler, and we are looking forward to taking him places like the zoo this Spring/Summer. I purchased a harness recently and it's in the closet, ready to go. I had mixed feelings about it, but I've come to realize that if it keeps him safe, who cares what other people think? Now we'll see if he hates it or not, but it's worth a try for sure. This world is crazier than our little ones can comprehend, and it's our job to keep them safe, so if a harness will help to do just that, than harness away! :) |
| posted by on 04/09/2008 10:30 AM
|
|
|
|
|
| My daughter is two and honestly I have thought of it myself.She loves people so would run off in an instant.If it keeps them safe I say do it. You know your child |
| posted by Natasha on 04/09/2008 10:41 AM
|
|
|
|
|
| Harnesses are the best!I dont care what ppl say or snicker under their breath.Who ever made the harness for children is a genius!!! |
| posted by Lexi on 04/09/2008 11:54 AM
|
|
|
|
|
| You use a leash to keep you dog safe. Don't you want to keep your child safer. I used a harness for my oldest(7) and got a lot of comments both good and bad. I now use it for my three year old and people are more accepting. My mother used them for me and my sister also. She said then our arms did not hurt from holding our arms up in the air for log periods of time holding her hand. How would you like to have your arm up in the air all the time? |
| posted by Wendy on 04/09/2008 12:06 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Our daughter is super active, always on the go. She also doesn't care to be strapped down in her stroller or shopping cart unless we are on the CONSTANT move, and these days she would rather "push" than ride. We bought a harnass for her last September. Its an Eddie Bauer, monkey backpack w/ two sets of buckles on the chest. If your little ones can undo those buckles watch for alternatives. Anyhow, the "leash" which looks like the monkey's tail is just a few feet long. Comments we hear are "Oh she has a monkey on her back." and its said CUTE, not rude. Other than the freedom she has, It gives me an extra hand. Those moments that you look up for just a second to get your bearings, or avoid a collision she can get away at the speed of light around a corner, etc... BUT its those dozens of clueless people that walk between us and our children if there is a two inch gap that really seperate us and scare me to death. With the leash hooked to her they are having to pay attention and ACKNOWLEDGE that toddler is w/ that mom/dad. They walk around us, not between us. Although the occasional last second notice results in someone stepping over the leash instead.
I also thought that harnesses were sort of rude, leashing a child. My closed minded thought was - If you seriously can't watch your own child than you shouldn't be bringing them in public alone. I know, rude. I promise I've learned!!! I truly think if a parent is using it as an aid and not a babysitter then its a great idea.
In crowded setting like fairs, even zoos I'd opt for a short leash. A longer one is going to trip other people up, and result in getting your child knocked down. A park, where there is more room to move and less people to worry about, a longer leash would be more appropriate. JMO I'd also opt for one w/ a backpack when possible, to carry an extra diaper, snack, even cup. Just so long has there isn't much weight to it. Works great for the occasional craft made at museums, etc.
Sorry So Long, I really love ours for outings, and wanted to offer a little more info. HTH |
| posted by Cheryn on 04/09/2008 05:39 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| Also we left the harnass out around the house for her to pick up, like w/ her toys. We would try putting it on her on occasion to get her used to it. It was a battle at first, she didn't care for it at all. After she picked it up on her own a few times she started asking to put it on. So when we finally used it a the county fair she strutted around so proud of it. LOL So don't spring it on your little one the first time you want to actually use it, give them a chance to get used to it. JMO |
| posted by Cheryn on 04/09/2008 05:44 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| My son turned 2 in Feb and we have used a harness (it is actually a stuffed animal dog that fits like a backpack and has a pouch for him to keep snacks in) since last summer, he loves it and does nto even attempt to get out of it. My son has been walking (and getting into things and away from me) since he was 10 months old so I found this harness to give me peace of mind in high traffic situations. Good luck! |
| posted by Kyleen on 04/12/2008 10:20 AM
|
|
|
|
|
| I would like to thank everyone for their comments and I have a doggy backpack harness and she loves it, and I had a lot of good comments on it and only a couple of rude glances. But it is keeping her safe and that is all that counts in my book. once again thank you all |
| posted by JAIMIE on 04/12/2008 07:00 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you for posting this, I have a almost 21 mos old who is very active and always on the move and we are going to be going to a busy fair this next week and I was contimplating on buying one since she wont stay in her stroller and I can't carry her the whole time as its hurts my back and I have a 10 wk old son. So Thank you to all of you whe replied and your opinions and suggestions!!
Traci |
| posted by Traci on 08/16/2008 05:21 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I also have the Backpack harness only mine looks like a monkey and my girl LOVES it and when we took her to the zoo and thru the airport she was safe and that's all that really matters. Most of the comments I got from other people took the form of "oh what a cute little monkey" and my girl just Grinned! :) |
| posted by Katie on 08/17/2008 10:35 AM
|
|
|
|
|
| If someone has the nerve to shoot you a rude look or make a snide comment about your child being in a harness then I guess they don't really care about the safety of a child. Its one thing to make the decision on whether or not to use a harness but to make a judgement on your parenting skills is rediculous. My mother had 4 kids all under that age of 6 and believe me, she used the harness on all of us. I'm living proof that the harness works to keep your kids safe. I've shot down dirty looks with some of my own and replied to snide remarks with "than I hope you don't have children" It usually makes them think twice before answering. |
| posted by Sarah on 10/01/2008 09:26 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I agree with Sarah and the rest of the mothers who posted a comment! I have a harness shaped like the dog also. It is a great idea and works well! Try not to let naive people bother you! The safety of our children this day and age is most important! |
| posted by Holly on 10/01/2008 09:54 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| Hey girls, well I have to say that who ever came up with the idea for these little harnesses with dogs and monkeys on the back is a GENIUS!!!!!!! (I dont think I spelled that right but oh well) My daughter LOVES her little monkey, she loves monkeys to begin with and this just makes it better that it is a monkey. We go places and she asks to put him on or brings him to us to go on a walk. I absolutly LOVE the idea of it. We use it at the mall, going on walks, hiking, you name it we use it!!!! |
| posted by Traci on 10/01/2008 10:54 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I always felt like they were more of a leash & that I would never use them. I saw my cousin using one with her daughter when she was around 2. I was actually embarassed when we went to the beach together & she was using it. Then Alyssa ran between 2 parked cars into the street, the driver coming up the rode wouldn't have even seen her & my cousin yanked on the "leash" which pulled her just enough for the car not to hit her. It probably saved her life. Alyssa is still a hand full today but I'd use it if I had to after that |
| posted by Rachael on 10/09/2008 03:19 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I always felt like they were more of a leash & that I would never use them. I saw my cousin using one with her daughter when she was around 2. I was actually embarassed when we went to the beach together & she was using it. Then Alyssa ran between 2 parked cars into the street, the driver coming up the rode wouldn't have even seen her & my cousin yanked on the "leash" which pulled her just enough for the car not to hit her. It probably saved her life. Alyssa is still a hand full today but I'd use it if I had to after that |
| posted by Rachael on 10/09/2008 03:19 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I wonder if the parents who have had their children on the evening news, in the signs above the freeways, or on milk cartons, wish that they had just some fool-proof way of watching their child during that chaotic moment when they just looked away for a second. if my baby feels like a dog, so be it. she's more comfortable wearing this backpack-type harness than being molested (if the day comes that I question whether or not to use it). |
| posted by RACHEL on 10/09/2008 03:30 PM
|
|
|
|
|
If you don't like the look of the harnesses, I found one that is a teddy bear backpack. It also clips in the front so they can't remove it. The bears long tail can be put around your wrist. The tail can detach so it can just be used as a backpack too
My Dad made me get it for when my son stayed with them. He has bad knees & was afraid he might wander away too quickly for him to keep up.
My son loved that thing, It actually gave him confidence. In public places he would cling to us and want to be carried, once he knew we were at the end of that tail, he put his head high and started struttin his stuff lol |
| posted by Nicole on 10/10/2008 01:14 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Nicole,
Where did you get the teddy bear one? |
| posted by Bonnie on 10/10/2008 10:24 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I believe it was at buy buy baby and was maybe $10.00. I think Eddie Bauer makes them |
| posted by Nicole on 10/11/2008 06:38 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| Thanks Nicole. I'll have to get one! My little one is starting to get so independent. He is starting to want to walk in the stores instead of riding in the cart. |
| posted by Bonnie on 10/11/2008 08:26 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| You can also find them at Meijer for $10. They have a monkey and a puppy. |
| posted by Sarah on 10/12/2008 08:00 AM
|
|
|
