A PC Toddler Leash?
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 4:35PM
My little Elle is a sweet girl. She (for now) listens to mommy and holds my hand when we are on the street and isn't crazy fast so I can't keep up with her if she gets away. Yet, I'm contemplating buying a LittleLife Toddler Daypack that comes with a leash. They are adorably cute backpacks in costume themes like a turtle, shark, dinosaur, giraffe, clown fish, butterfly, bumble bee and lady bug that also have a themed hood.
Why you might wonder am I thinking of putting a leash on my LO? Am I some horrible helicopter mom that won't let her child roam?
Actually, I feel the opposite. I feel by giving her this little backpack that just so happens to have a leash on it that I can let her roam at a safe distance without hovering. The pack isn't that big but I think it will be useful for a snack and her sippy. I also think this would be great to have in the airport when I won't her to get her exercise without worrying about losing her. It could be good for holding her travel gear in that instance.
What are your thoughts on leashing? (BTW, I hate that term!) I don't feel like I'm putting her on a leash...maybe I"m in denial.
Reader Comments (5)
Honestly, no matter what you do, someone is going to complain about it. Keep them in a stroller? You're confining and smothering them. Let them run free? You're irresponsible. Leash them so they can run, but not too far? Dehumanizing. Squeaky shoes co you can track them in a crowd? Inconsiderate - don't you know how annoying that is?
Frankly, I just make whatever decision works for us (we're a squeaky shoe family) and just smile and nod when someone bitches. It's all you can do, really.
My son isn't as well-behaved as your little one! He rarely will hold our hands when walking around outside. Well, he will for about one second and then make a break for it - literally he will shake loose of me and start "running" as fast as his little legs will take him to, say, that friendly-looking bush. I get it; he wants to explore this world of ours! But we live in the city, so it can be dangerous! We really only let him walk on his own when there is a big wide sidewalk not near dangerous intersections. But I think this backpack would let him feel free but still allow us parents to have control of him. I can imagine it'd be so useful at the airport like you said! And the zoo, and other crowded places. But who knows, maybe my son would hate the idea of still being tethered to me. I think I might as well try it out. Meanwhile, should anyone want to judge my "leash", at least I know he'll be safer with it than without and that's all that counts.
Before I had kids, I always scoffed at the leash people. Now, I have more of a "do what you've got to do" attitude (with leashes and most other parenting choices). I've definitely considered the leash too, but now I think Nic and I are at a point where we don't really need it. At Elle's age it's hard because they really don't listen, but I think you'll be surprised at how much more responsive they are in a few more months. My opinion might change when #2 comes along and I can't give Nic my undivided attention, but for now, we're staying leash-free.
At one point I was dead set on getting a "leash" (so funny) for Reese. Then time past and I never got to it and now she's pretty good when we're out and about. I always thought they were a good idea, especially in crowded places. For the longest time I said I was going to get one but then I never did. Come on... this from the girl who is okay with the idea of GPSing a child. :)
We had one of the ladybird backpacks for our daughter when she was younger and it will be used for our other daughter. Leashing is not a bad thing, as you say it gives them a little bit of freedom, and it's also a lot easier to keep hold of them when they try and wriggle away.
I'm sure any parent will agree that when holding the hand of a toddler that wants to get away can be a struggle as they are slippery little rascals when they want to be!
My daughter loved her backpack and wanted to use it all the time, and she never objected to the leash. We used to keep the leash in the hood pocket (can't say we ever used the hood) so that she could run free, but we had it close by if we needed it. A lot of time you could just grab the handle to keep them from danger and then let them run free again.
Also if you have them leashed and they trip up (which toddlers do a lot) you can easily save them from making contact with the ground - I found this a more comfortable (for me) task with the backpacks than a standard leash as the bigger shoulder straps don't dig in as much.