would be better?I have parented 4 separate two year old children and have provided care for many others. I'm aware of typical development and behaviors for a toddler. BabyBoy is a little more impulsive, okay a lot more impulsive, and he explodes into angry abusive outburst. He is also very clever and active. He can scale balcony railing in a matter of seconds. He can unlock three locks on a hotel room door and get down to a lower floor in the time it takes me to start the bath water for another child. He can leap into traffic in the amount of time it takes me to bend down to tie his shoe. No amount of stern voice, warning, time outs, restrictions, redirecting, taking away toys faze him. He is defiant and he will figure out a way to accomplish whatever it is he wants. Hence the reason I'm considering buying a child leash.
We go to the zoo and the Thomas the Train event every year and both places are safe for him to run freely. Cool. We also go to the aquarium where it's not okay for him to push others out of his way, run ahead to where I can't see him, and climb on the railing. Same with Disney where it's just not safe for him to run out of my eye sight, or to run out of the tram door just as it is closing and taking off with me and the other kids on board. He's too big for a sling and I have to carry BabyGirl in it anyway. We have a single stroller and are looking at purchasing a double or triple
stroller
to help in these instances. But you may remember how BabyBoy jumped in the pool not once, not twice, but three times without an adult this summer while on vacation. All three times I was in the process of walking in the gate while carrying a ton of stuff, or putting it down so that I could get in the water before the kids, and every time he would run full speed ahead of me and jump into the pool. This past summer he was only one year old. He can't swim! Completely fearless.Before parenting BabyBoy, I would have clucked my tongue and shook my head like a good southern girl and probably made some remark about the child's behavior reflecting the adult's poor parenting skills. I would have been judgmental. I guess this is payback, a reality check of sorts, a chance to sample some humble pie.
To leash or not to leash, what do you think?
10 comments:
I was anti-leash too until I spent sometime with my now 3 year old nephew. I couldn't have been out with him without it. Mind you his parents my husband and daughter were with us also. He is just a ball of energy and like you commented-he has no fear. For his safety buy one!!!
I used to be anti-leash as well. Not to the point of calling someone a bad parent because of it, but because it looked silly. Now I don't see a problem with it. I don't find it demeaning to a child, which is what some people may say. Some kids are just more prone to running off. I am personally worried about that with my 17 month old now.
Here's how I see it. Would you rather lose your child because they ran out into the road or got lost in a crowd? Or would you rather have a hold of them so you can just yank 'em back to ya? LOL! Okay, no yanking!
Hell, had I known about kid leashes, I would have gotten ttops one when we got her. She was 11. It would have prevented a thousand dangerous situations and we may have been able to actually join the world of the living that first year for more than dr appts & groceries. I say you do what you gotta do to keep the little bugger safe.
Leash, definitely!
leash...& muzzle.
kidding. I don't see anything wrong with it. It's a safety issue. I'd rather see a kid on a "leash" than lost from the parents or hit by a car.
TO LEASH is My answer. Thirty Years ago I wouldn't have done it, but after see kids wandering away from their parents I believe in using a leash. Also, times are so different now with criminals lurking. I actually believe that using a Leash can be looked at as 'freedom' in a way because it allows the child to explore yet still be 'attached' to their parent without holding an arm, finger, or leg while being a big boy. As long as the leash is used 'correctly'(I know you will use it properly) & not like I have seen on Youtube or the news then I vote Yes Leash your child for his protection & your peace of mind.
Enjoy Exploring the world together.
Jan
Yes, you can post my fundraiser(s)!! :)
Do what it takes to keep your kid
safe. No apologies or explanations needed.
Blessings
Kim Chrisman
Beats death or serious injury any day! In my day they were called harnesses. My mother had one for my little brother in about 1947.
I have to say, normally I'm anti-leash... but you make a good argument, so now I'm wavering. Let us know how it goes?
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