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Child Harnesses

post #1 of 11
4/27/08 at 4:01pm
Thread Starter 
This may have been talked about before but I am very interested to hear different peoples opinions....
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post #2 of 11
4/27/08 at 5:07pm

Re: Child Harnesses

I've heard all the comparisons to a dog on a leash or that only parents who don't want to have to be attentive to their child use them and think it is just silly. I don't use one but have no problem with other people who do. Toddlers like their independence and are prone to run... some more than others and you really can't judge the way anther parent chooses to keep their child near based on the way YOU or YOUR child would behave/react in a situation.
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post #3 of 11
4/27/08 at 6:28pm

Re: Child Harnesses

I used to think they were the most horrible things ever. But as the parent of an autistic child who (1) doesn't understand danger, (2) doesn't communicate well, and (3) has been known to jolt and dart out in to traffic, or run across a store, I'd much rather have something like that available than to risk losing my child in a crowd or having him hit by a car.
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post #4 of 11
4/27/08 at 7:15pm

Re: Child Harnesses

I used one with my first once or twice (I probably still have the thing around here somewhere. ) I personally would rather put them in a stroller than put them on a harness. But they have come a long way now and there are so many varieties.

I agree with Dina though if it was a matter of saving my childs life or public opinion - I go with saving my childs life.
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post #5 of 11
4/27/08 at 7:27pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Child Harnesses

I meant to post my thoughts earlier but ran out of time.. lol....

About a year ago, I was walking out of a store with all three kids. I was carrying Kaylee and holding Devin's hand when he jerked away and almost ran in front of a truck. This was the point I considered getting one. And I was one of those that said "I will never put my kid on a leash!" (before I had kids!!) And now everytime I go to Walmart Devin is running off in every direction and I am trying to catch him with Kaylee in the cart and Alexis at my side while Kaylee has learned to climb out of the cart so it is a major struggle (she can get out of the belt). I finally came to the point that I decided it didn't matter what anyone thought, I needed to keep my kids safe and I was afraid Devin was going to get picked up or something (b/c he will run into the next aisle or hide somewhere). So I bought 2 monkey backpack harnesses, which the kids actually think are cool. And I bought two b/c when we are on vacation this summer and going to different place I thought Kaylee would like to walk some verus being in the stroller (she actually doesn't like being in one). I always hear half and half with people.. some people hate them, some people like them. And a few said it just depends on the child and I agree with that. It makes me feel better to hear the rest of your comments on the subject. Safety comes first.
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post #6 of 11
4/27/08 at 9:54pm

Re: Child Harnesses

I think the harness/leash idea is great. The child can have the freedom of not being strapped into a stroller all the time, and still be reasonably safe because they can't run off, as little ones are prone to do.

When Joey was about 2, we went on a cruise, and he could already outrun me - at least out-manuever me. Good thing we were on a ship full of grandparents, because he managed to dart onto an elevator before I could catch him - the elderly couple there held the elevator until I got there a few seconds later. Oh, how I wish I'd had a harness for him then!
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post #7 of 11
4/28/08 at 2:27pm

Re: Child Harnesses

I used to think harnesses were stupid and it made it seem like your child was a dog more than your child, but now that I've actually started thinking about what they are meant for and the fact that it can save your child's life, I am not opposed to using one when I have children. I would rather get strange looks than have a child dart out into traffic.
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post #8 of 11
4/28/08 at 3:28pm

Re: Child Harnesses

I'm with Dina ... most if not all Autistic children don't have a sense of danger (I knew one that would burn himself on the stove because it was 'fun'). Brandon could actually get out of it no problem, so I had one for Caitlyn (his younger-by-about-3-years sister). I would have her on the same arm I was holding Brandon and that helped to keep him with us. I have had him run into traffic and it is heart-stopping. It got bad enough that while I was a single mom I had a handicap tag so I could park close to the stores. Usually there were buggies right there I could toss him into.

A friend of mine had her toddler on a monkey backpack harness becasue the little girl WOULD NOT hold anyone's hand and she loves to run. I don't think I have ever seen her walk outside without the monkey.
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post #9 of 11
4/29/08 at 1:50am

Re: Child Harnesses

We had one for Drew WAY back (about 10 years ago). He hated being in the stroller and wanted to walk and run. And because we took him places that were extremely crowded (like the texas Renaissance Festival), we were worried he would dart off and get lost or snatched. We actually had one lady make a really snotty comment about it at the festival. I just made it clear that she could think what she wanted, but at least I knew MY kid was safe!

It really does depend on the kid. We never needed one with Ally, but if we hadn't had one for Drew, we never would have been able to go anywhere!
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post #10 of 11
4/29/08 at 1:53am

Re: Child Harnesses

Better to have a child in a harness than a missing child.
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post #11 of 11
4/29/08 at 10:25pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Child Harnesses

I used the harness yesterday with Devin in Food Lion.. he decided to act like a monkey the entire time...lol! I am glad he enjoyed it but he was a little wild..

And today I used it on Kaylee and now she wants to use it all the time. She loved being able to walk and not be stuck in a stroller.

I had several "looks." But I also had several compliments on how cute the monkey backpack was.
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