It seems like there is this negative stigma behind people having their children on leashes. Yes, I understand that children are not animals and we put animals on leashes but it is not at all the same.
When I was a kid and we would go to amusement parks or really busy places my grandparents would put harnesses on us. Very quickly I learned that if I stayed close I would not have to wear the harness. My brother has ADHD and the harness was good for him. He never seemed to have a problem with wearing it and it was an easy way to keep an eye on him. Having an almost three-year-old sister enforces the way I feel about the whole issue. Last summer we went to Italy and we have this monkey backpack that has a lease attached as the tail and she loved giving Chester the monkey “piggy back rides”. She is very active and needs to let out her energy in some way. She WILL NOT sit in a stroller all day. She is independent and wants to walk on her own like a big girl.
I am being completely honest when I say that I think child leases are a genius idea. Depending on the temperament and the age of the child there are many different colors, lengths, and brands to choose from. The leash gives the child their own room to roam and not have to sit in a stroller all the time or hold an adults hand. The child has the freedom to walk along like the adults and the parents have the security of knowing where their child is.
I have seen some posts on Twitter and other social media sites that bash parents who decide to use this method of child safety. I am willing to bet that most of the people posting these things do not have children of their own or have a child with a more even temperament. I think people will find anything to criticize others about. I am convinced of this and also that people are cruel.
In the end it is the parents’ choice how to handle their child. If they choose to have their child wear a harness or leash, then that is their decision. Why should anyone say anything about it?!
My children will wear leashes if I feel it is necessary for them. I know that I will be judged by people who don’t think in the same way that I do but I believe that it is every parents choice how they parent.
Here are some examples of “child leashes” that I think are pretty cool:
For the kids that like Tigger or Minnie.
Or there are backpacks in all shapes and colors:
Yes I know there are parents like this:
Or this:
But all parents who use child leashes are not like this. You don't judge all teenagers because of the few who do bad things. So why judge all the parents who use child leashes because of the few bad ones? The choice to use a child leash is for each parent to make. As they say "to each his own".
