Questions for parents on the board ....

[mundane]

My wife and I are having an ongoing discussion about this, we're not seeing eye-to-eye. We're still quite a few years away from trying to have a child, but that doesn't stop us from arguing/discussing related issues.

You know those child harnesses, where a child is free to run, while tether to the parent? I really like that idea. Let them have their mobility, a sense of independence, while I still retain enough control keep them out of dangerous areas. I see it as a win-win situation. It's not painful or cruel to them.

However, my wife doesn't feel that way. She says "they feel wrong". I argue that you can't be in direct physical contact with your child at all times when on a walk, especially if you've got more than one. I think her beef with it is that it's treating the kids like you would a family pet.

Thoughts? Comments?

 

[Ryan]

Is your child a dog?

 

[loup garou]

It would be really cool if you were on a skateboard or rollerblades. Just give your kid a couple Red Bulls, and away you go!

I'm pretty sure that's at least part of Bush's plan to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

 

[shimsham]

have children, would never use them.

children need to listen and obey their parents, not respond to a leash.

 

[Descartes]

I think they're rather funny actually, and I mean that in a good way. I think they're a great thing to have, especially if you're walking around in a park, along the sidewalk.... ok, pretty much anywhere.

IMO, it has nothing to do with denigration. You leash a pet for their safety and for the safety of others, so it has nothing to do with subordination. Same thing for a child.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Ryan
Is your child a dog?

this is all i can think of when i see someone "walking" their child with one of those leashes.

 

[Yossarian]

will you give them scooby snacks when they heel properly?

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: shimsham
have children, would never use them.

children need to listen and obey their parents, not respond to a leash.

Oh, and we know they always do that!

 

[mordantmonkey]

on a side note: I think teathers are hilarious and make it a point to laugh at any kid i see with one. always fun to pat them on the head saying, "good boy".

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: shimsham
have children, would never use them.

children need to listen and obey their parents, not respond to a leash.

Oh, and we know they always do that!

lol hell no. but if i have to use a leash to keep them safe and behaved i have bigger problems than them running around creating havoc.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
on a side note: I think teathers are hilarious and make it a point to laugh at any kid i see with one. always fun to pat them on the head saying, "good boy".

Yeah, you think it's funny...just wait until the parent trains his kid to take a crap in your yard!

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: shimsham
have children, would never use them.

children need to listen and obey their parents, not respond to a leash.

Agreed.

Children are capable of learning self control...
Now a leash might be appropriate if you were taking an 18mo old to the grand canyon scenic overlook, but the reality is you shouldn't bring your child there.

How about less leashes more smart parenting. If you need a leash to control your child stay home.

 

[JS80]

Here's a great invention idea: wireless leash, a pager beeps or vibrates when the child is X feet away from you.

EIDT: I guess i'm not that clever

 

[Armitage]

I've never used one or felt a particular need for one with my kids.

 

[apac]

Sounds like a prereq to an overprotective parent and a sheltered child :roll:

 

[KarenMarie]

if anyone remembers the Jamie Bulger case... they will remember how quickly the child leashes became popular all over the UK. (if you dont remember, goodgle it )

I thought they were a brilliant idea. And if i ever had children the age to warrant theuse of one, i would do so gladly. Not only will it provide safety for the kid, but it will allow the parents more control. (think of the kid who is running all over the store, etc).

They never really took off in the USA. ppl with kids that i asked thought it was barbaric.

I think they were a great idea.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: shimsham
have children, would never use them.

children need to listen and obey their parents, not respond to a leash.

Agreed.

Children are capable of learning self control...
Now a leash might be appropriate if you were taking an 18mo old to the grand canyon scenic overlook, but the reality is you shouldn't bring your child there.

There's nothing wrong with having the kid there - you just need to keep ahold of them all the time. Pretty much the way you do with an 18 month old anywhere else outside of your home or other kid-friendly environment.

How about less leashes more smart parenting. If you need a leash to control your child stay home.

 

[nakedfrog]

We bought one, I can't remember exactly why... I think we might have used it once at the zoo or something. She's still enojyed playing with it off and on for the last couple years.
I see nothing wrong with them.

 

[JDrake]

My dad leashed me still does...

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: shimsham
have children, would never use them.

children need to listen and obey their parents, not respond to a leash.

Agreed.

Children are capable of learning self control...
Now a leash might be appropriate if you were taking an 18mo old to the grand canyon scenic overlook, but the reality is you shouldn't bring your child there.

How about less leashes more smart parenting. If you need a leash to control your child stay home.

Don't be ridiculous. Even a well-behaved child still makes wrong decisions. What about the child that decides to dive out into the street chasing a ball or something by accident? Given proper time to rationalize their behavior they might not do such a thing, but a typical 3 year old might be more excited by the ball than the truck flying at their head.

"Leashes", if we want to call them that, do exactly what the OP has implies: They still have a degree of freedom while keeping them within absolute boundaries of safety as defined by the parent. If everyone made perfect decisions and had "smart parenting" and completely rational minds then we wouldn't need adult leashes either... seatbelts.

Accidents happen; take precaution. That is smart parenting, imo.

 

[Trikat]

Originally posted by: joedrake
My dad leashed me still does...

He whips ya too doesn't he? :frown:

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: shimsham
have children, would never use them.

children need to listen and obey their parents, not respond to a leash.

Agreed.

Children are capable of learning self control...
Now a leash might be appropriate if you were taking an 18mo old to the grand canyon scenic overlook, but the reality is you shouldn't bring your child there.

How about less leashes more smart parenting. If you need a leash to control your child stay home.

Don't be ridiculous. Even a well-behaved child still makes wrong decisions. What about the child that decides to dive out into the street chasing a ball or something by accident? Given proper time to rationalize their behavior they might not do such a thing, but a typical 3 year old might be more excited by the ball than the truck flying at their head.

"Leashes", if we want to call them that, do exactly what the OP has implies: They still have a degree of freedom while keeping them within absolute boundaries of safety as defined by the parent. If everyone made perfect decisions and had "smart parenting" and completely rational minds then we wouldn't need adult leashes either... seatbelts.

Accidents happen; take precaution. That is smart parenting, imo.

fenced in yard? dont let a 3yo play by the street?

there are no absolute boundaries of safety. a child can still run out in front of a car with a 10ft leash.

 

[Glavinsolo]

It may seem like a good idea but in all honesty, it shows that
1. You are a bad parent and have no control over your kid and had to use leash.
2. Your child has had issues in the past with misbehavior.

Give the kid some freedom.

 

[BurnItDwn]

What's the difference between the "I don't have children, and really don't care" and the "Whatever" option?
Both seem to be the choice of indifference.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: shimsham
have children, would never use them.

children need to listen and obey their parents, not respond to a leash.

Agreed.

Children are capable of learning self control...
Now a leash might be appropriate if you were taking an 18mo old to the grand canyon scenic overlook, but the reality is you shouldn't bring your child there.

How about less leashes more smart parenting. If you need a leash to control your child stay home.

Don't be ridiculous. Even a well-behaved child still makes wrong decisions. What about the child that decides to dive out into the street chasing a ball or something by accident? Given proper time to rationalize their behavior they might not do such a thing, but a typical 3 year old might be more excited by the ball than the truck flying at their head.

"Leashes", if we want to call them that, do exactly what the OP has implies: They still have a degree of freedom while keeping them within absolute boundaries of safety as defined by the parent. If everyone made perfect decisions and had "smart parenting" and completely rational minds then we wouldn't need adult leashes either... seatbelts.

Accidents happen; take precaution. That is smart parenting, imo.

fenced in yard? dont let a 3yo play by the street?

there are no absolute boundaries of safety. a child can still run out in front of a car with a 10ft leash.

So why have a fence at all, is that what you're saying?

You can still die in a crash with a seatbelt, and a child can still run out into the street on a 2', 10', or 20' "leash"; that's not the point. The point is that you're limiting the potential as much as possible, and if I were guarding my child down a sidewalk near an active road I sure as hell wouldn't have 10' of slack in the "leash."

BTW, that story above about the kid diving into the street was me. When I was about 2 or so I took off after a ball into the street out of delirious excitement, and were it not for my grandfather to pick me up by my shirt before I went off the curb I'd be dead. You could practice the same active management as my grandfather did, but had he turned away for even a split second when I did that I'd be dead.