Questions for parents on the board ....

[TGS]

My kids came factory equipped with these special tools... I call them hands. I hold their "hands" in an area that isn't safe for them to roam around. Such as a parking lot, busy sidewalks, crowded stores, etc...

I've actually "taught" my kids to stay close to me, or else... I hold their "hands". It's an amazing concept really. Almost genius in it's simplicity.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: TGS
My kids came factory equipped with these special tools... I call them hands. I hold their "hands" in an area that isn't safe for them to roam around. Such as a parking lot, busy sidewalks, crowded stores, etc...

I've actually "taught" my kids to stay close to me, or else... I hold their "hands". It's an amazing concept really. Almost genius in it's simplicity.

That's what I do with my son. When we get out of the car in a busy parking lot I have him hold my hand until we get to where it's safe for him to roam around freely. He doesn't stray far from me and I always keep him in sight.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: TGS
My kids came factory equipped with these special tools... I call them hands. I hold their "hands" in an area that isn't safe for them to roam around. Such as a parking lot, busy sidewalks, crowded stores, etc...

I've actually "taught" my kids to stay close to me, or else... I hold their "hands". It's an amazing concept really. Almost genius in it's simplicity.

Common sense, FTW.

But stores can't charge extra for "hands!"

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: TGS
My kids came factory equipped with these special tools... I call them hands. I hold their "hands" in an area that isn't safe for them to roam around. Such as a parking lot, busy sidewalks, crowded stores, etc...

I've actually "taught" my kids to stay close to me, or else... I hold their "hands". It's an amazing concept really. Almost genius in it's simplicity.

You got the delux models? Nice...

 

[thecrecarc]

no freakin way. its like a pet, a child aint a pet. when i first saw those i was like... WTF? i was gonna call the cops, seriously. its horrible.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: thecrecarc
no freakin way. its like a pet, a child aint a pet. when i first saw those i was like... WTF? i was gonna call the cops, seriously. its horrible.

Call the cops, wtf?

Jeez, what fragile sensibilities people seem to have.

 

[imported_malcontent]

I can't see using the child leash. I don't think they had them when my child was a toddler, but if they did, I would not have used one.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Cooler
Child leashes show lack of trust.

If you trust someone who can't even talk yet you're an idiot.

Originally posted by: TGS
My kids came factory equipped with these special tools... I call them hands. I hold their "hands" in an area that isn't safe for them to roam around. Such as a parking lot, busy sidewalks, crowded stores, etc...

I've actually "taught" my kids to stay close to me, or else... I hold their "hands". It's an amazing concept really. Almost genius in it's simplicity.

Nobody is advocating leashing them all the time, obviously for short periods of time (a trip through the parking lot) holding their hands is fine. For extended periods of time though do the kids arm a favor & leash him.

Viper GTS

 

[badmouse]

I love these parent threads - I'm a grandmother. I remember all the things I was or wasn't going to do with my kids, until I had them. Then, with one kid, I thought I knew it all - until I had another, completely different one. Etc.

When my oldest was a baby I thought people with leashes were nuts. Then I had child number two . . . oops. One too many near-death situations, and all of a sudden the leash was a gift from heaven. Nothing to do with "parenting skills", just all kids are different.

You do what you have to do. Every parent knows that.

No, the thing that annoys me about this kind of thread is how cruel people are about people with different beliefs.

BTW - one problem with holding hands all the time is that it is way too easy to grab the kid by the hand and pick them up with a jerk. This causes all sorts of physical problems (like a dislocated shoulder, etc). I'd rather see a kid in a harness than a kid being dragged by a hand. I've spent a lot of time in kid orthopedic rehab, and the docs have tons of stories about that.

 

[DrPizza]

No, I wouldn't use them.
I don't mind when other people use them though.

But, I think it's being a little over-protective or paranoid. How many kids are "snatched" by non-relatives a year?
Yes, there are risks when taking your kid to the mall. Yes, there are risks when taking your kid to the grocery store.
But, can't you hold their hand while going across the parking lot? So what if your child knocks down a display of soup cans? It's not the end of the world. And, it's a learning experience for the kids. I'd ask, "how many of you have kids who are perfectly behaved - who have never done anything wrong in public," but, I suspect a few people (as usual) would answer "My kids are perfect." So, instead I ask, "how many of you ever did something wrong while in public and got scolded or spanked for it?" I'm suspected the vast majority of us. It's part of growing up. But, instead, I suspect these leash parents *tend* to be the over-protective, sheltering types of parents. Oh well; that decision is entirely up to them.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Ryan
Is your child a dog?

Sounds like it.

 

[Squisher]

I have never used them, but if I had a kid like some that I've seen I might think about it.

Some children are curious beyond measure and have the metabolism of a hummingbird.

 

[TBone48]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
"I have children, don't use them, but don't see anything wrong with them."

Ditto

 

[Kelvrick]

No kids, but will probably use them, depending on the kid. Only thing I see wrong with them is that some parents might use/depend on them constantly, instead of taking responsibility and using them as a safety net.

Take for instance my two younger sisters, actually born within the same year, but completely different. One is completely dependable (although would still make stuipd decisions as a kid and wouldn't warrent a leash in my opinion) while the other is a wild child, black sheep. Running everywhere, constantly getting into trouble. That one really needed a leash. Would actually wrench away from your hand to go run off.

Sorry, but I didnt' feel like constantly holding her hand so tight that she actually couldn't pull free, and just holding it that tight would probably hurt her.