Quantcast

Extreme Parenting: To Leash or Not to Leash?

Fef 2012/06/26 02:01:02
Related Topics: Parenting, Kids Leash
You!
Add Photos & Videos
Kids need parents to protect them. And parents need tools to protect kids. But leashes? Kid leashes make make them safer, but putting leashes on humans (big or small) violates some expected cultural boundaries.

“I felt a little funny about it. We were on vacation with my sister-in-law in Seattle. I was juggling a bunch of children and worried about someone running out, and she said ‘Why don’t you put this on your daughter?’ So I did and it just kind of made sense,” said Mother of four and family psychologist Kristen Howerton of New York City.


ABCNews.com reports:It’s becoming almost a common sight–and a great debate for any modern family. To leash or not to leash small children? For parents across the country, there is no middle ground. Mother of four and family psychologist Kristen Howerton of New York City says she was given a safety harness as a gift. “I felt a little funny about it. We were on vacation with my sister-in-law in Seattle. I was juggling a bunch of children and worried about someone running out, and she said ‘Why don’t you put this on your daughter?’ So I did and it just kind…

Read More: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/06/extr...

Add a comment above

Top Opinion

  • jgh57 2012/06/26 02:07:58
    Leash
    jgh57
    +6
    There is nothing wrong with using a leash. Anyone that thinks so should come and work a few shifts in the ER and see what happens when a child runs out in front of a car. It ain't pretty.

Sort By
  • Most Raves
  • Least Raves
  • Oldest
  • Newest
Opinions

  • Brosia 2012/07/25 00:14:01
    Leash
    Brosia
    I needed it when we went to Universal with my ADHD son that is stronger than me. I hooked him up to a leash and hooked the leash to my belt loop. He may be strong, but even he was pulled up short by 375 lbs of Mama.

    And yeah, we got funny looks.
  • spetey 2012/07/09 21:20:12
    Leash
    spetey
    I think it depends where you are, like Disney world in Orlando, Florida. they don't advertize the pedifiles who lurk around those areas. Very crowded areas with lots of distractions are dangerous for young people. A leash would help and could save there lives
  • Warren - Novus Ordo Seclorum 2012/06/27 20:00:24
    Leash
    Warren - Novus Ordo Seclorum
    We tried this with my daughter and she just screamed and yanked the thing off. But it's still a good idea.
  • Heat Her 2012/06/27 14:19:39
    Not to Leash
    Heat Her
    my mom, having raised two kids a year apart, tied bandannas on her pant loops and taught us to hold onto them so she had her hands free when we were out. It worked for us.
  • lucky 2012/06/27 13:18:26
    Leash
    lucky
    Especially if you have more than one child under the age of 4. I find it ironic people condemn others for using a safety harness but have no problem sticking a toddler in a stroller where it cant do anything but just sit there and look around.
  • Muskoka 2012/06/26 23:26:21
    Leash
    Muskoka
    +1
    If you have a child that is a runner or have a tendency to wander off, a leash is the only answer to contain them and keep them safe.
  • *Mahogany Goddess 2012/06/26 20:41:29 (edited)
    Not to Leash
    *Mahogany Goddess
    +2
    Personally; luckily for me I never had a problem where my little cousins have tantrums. They never needed a leash and neither did I for them as well. This whole new leash craze just seems weird to me, but to each their own.

    I've seen and have come across some kids who behavior was out of control.
  • ♒ßεllεchεvεllε®♒ 2012/06/26 20:22:24
    Not to Leash
    ♒ßεllεchεvεllε®♒
    +2
    It's amazing how well the word "No" works in symphony with a parent doing their freakin job.
  • *Mahoga... ♒ßεllεc... 2012/06/26 20:43:01
    *Mahogany Goddess
    +2
    Same here; it feels and look so weird that all of a sudden parents need leashes for their kids. I don't know; just something I never saw until the past 8 yrs from some.
  • ♒ßεllεc... *Mahoga... 2012/06/26 20:45:27
    ♒ßεllεchεvεllε®♒
    +1
    It's like being mad at the ice cream man because your kid's demanding ice cream. I'll never get it, Latrice. Just can't wrap my head around it.
  • Muskoka *Mahoga... 2012/06/26 23:30:04
    Muskoka
    +1
    You might check back in the 1970's they were common then.
  • MlssCue... ♒ßεllεc... 2012/06/26 23:41:25
    MlssCue =Go Blue=
    +1
    I could tell my oldest daughter no until I was blue in the face & it did nothing! I am a rather strict parent, so it wasn't my parenting, it was that she was & still is to this day hardheaded & will do what she wants when she wants!
  • ♒ßεllεc... MlssCue... 2012/06/26 23:44:27
    ♒ßεllεchεvεllε®♒
    +2
    I've been around a few kids like that. :/
  • MlssCue... ♒ßεllεc... 2012/06/27 03:23:44
    MlssCue =Go Blue=
    It started when she was 4 & she's 20 & it hasn't ended yet. I mean she's my baby & I love her with all my heart but she's a handful. :/
  • Jdogg 2012/06/26 20:20:40
    Leash
    Jdogg
    +1
    I see nothing wrong with this, This lets the child run off all that energy that they have and by the time you put them in the car and they fall asleep, That's priceless.
  • me4ever 2012/06/26 20:06:11
    Not to Leash
    me4ever
    i dont think its ok
    children are children they want to run and jump and play
    then why leash then like dogs
  • ☆ElenaDiamond☆ 2012/06/26 20:04:40
    Not to Leash
    ☆ElenaDiamond☆
    +1
    My child is not a dog. If you raise them correctly they wont need a leash and if you are a responsible parent they wont need a leash.
  • Muskoka ☆ElenaD... 2012/06/26 23:28:11
    Muskoka
    How exactly do you raise a two or three year old to do what they are told 100% of the time.
  • ☆ElenaD... Muskoka 2012/06/26 23:29:19 (edited)
    ☆ElenaDiamond☆
    No one expects it a hundred percent of the time. This is why we hold hans in busy areas, or I carry or he is in a stroller.
  • Muskoka ☆ElenaD... 2012/07/01 02:49:43
    Muskoka
    I used to do that until I was at the CNE one summer when my daughter was 5. The crowd was massive and crushed in on us and was forcing us apart. I could not control the direction I was walking in and I could feel her hand slipping out of mine. I also knew that if her hand slipped out of mine, I would loose her in the crowd and not be able to find her at all. It was a very dangerous situation and there were thousands of people every where.
  • ☆ElenaD... Muskoka 2012/07/01 15:11:46
    ☆ElenaDiamond☆
    I would possibly makean exception for huge crowds. But as a general rule... No
  • frank 2012/06/26 17:56:08
    Leash
    frank
    +1
    It is impossible to keep a eye on a child 100% of the time.
  • none 2012/06/26 17:17:59
    Leash
    none
    +1
    Nothing wrong with it, the child has lots of freedom of movement but they can't run away.
  • Solomonster 2012/06/26 15:43:22
    Not to Leash
    Solomonster
    +1
    I think it is a genuine show of lazy parenting!
    My woman & I always joke about getting our nearly 3 year old one of those. But we also joke about putting him in a helmet until he's in middle school. No, instead we teach him to mind & stay beside us in public. & not jump off high things to solid ground.
    wile E coyote when we were kids
  • Rebel Yell 2012/06/26 14:46:48
    Leash
    Rebel Yell
    +1
    As toddlers, my kids could go from zero to 100 in a nanosecond. One minute they were standing still and the next they were a blur in motion. You can tell a toddler NO a thousand times, but any distraction is an invitation to explore. At that age, they are reactive.

    We avoided large gatherings ( parades, state fairs, concerts, etc) until they were older. It was too much trouble riding herd on them. Fortunately, there were great babysitters in the neighborhood.

    I have seen toddlers on leashes and understand full well why that mother or father has taken that precaution. To hell with what others thinks. You and only you know what is best for your child.
  • Muskoka Rebel Yell 2012/06/26 23:28:52
    Muskoka
    +1
    I agree 100%
  • 'Zedd 2012/06/26 14:23:01
  • VintageLys 2012/06/26 12:18:17
    Not to Leash
    VintageLys
    pay attn to your kid!
  • frank VintageLys 2012/06/26 17:50:32
    frank
    +3
    I can tell you have never had one.
  • VintageLys frank 2012/06/26 18:14:28
    VintageLys
    yarp my mom did a good job
  • frank VintageLys 2012/06/26 18:17:59
    frank
    +1
    I'm glad she did only I was not talking about her.
  • VintageLys frank 2012/06/26 18:25:04
    VintageLys
    oh ..I don't have kids yet lol but when I do I'll do the old fashioned old hands, carry my kid around and look at them with my eagle eyes!
  • frank VintageLys 2012/06/26 19:27:22
    frank
    +2
    I have nothing that says you will be a good parent one day. Trust me as hard as one may try you can't keep an eye on them 100% of the time.
  • VintageLys frank 2012/06/26 23:24:07
    VintageLys
    i don't need your approval....i just know i'll be better than you
  • Muskoka VintageLys 2012/06/26 23:32:05
    Muskoka
    Talk is easy.
  • frank VintageLys 2012/06/27 16:11:14
    frank
    Where did I negative on you? Don't be an ASS.
  • VintageLys frank 2012/06/28 03:51:54 (edited)
    VintageLys
    not my fault you don't know how to communicate...instead of playing head games...say what you mean
  • frank VintageLys 2012/06/28 15:40:46
    frank
    I did, only problem is you are not smart enough to understand it.
  • VintageLys frank 2012/06/28 20:54:39
    VintageLys
    trust me...i'm smarter than you and smart enough to know not the feed the trolls
  • frank VintageLys 2012/06/28 21:48:11
    frank
    You are funny. Now grow up!

See Votes by State

The map above displays the winning answer by region.

Living

2013/06/19 19:12:58

Hot Questions on SodaHead
More Hot Questions

More Community More Originals