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What Is Up With Kids on Leashes?

By: Ellen S (View Profile)

I recently came across a photo of actress Milla Jovovich and her daughter/pet; she was leading the child on a leash, which I officially believe is called a “child harness.” Whatever.

Lately, I feel like I’m seeing more and more of them. One weekend, my four-year-old, Sabrina, and I were trolling the aisles of Costco when a kid on a long leash zoomed around me, and I got caught in it. “Mommy! Dogs have those!” Sabrina proclaimed. “Yes, doggies do have leashes!” I answered as this dad glowered at me then had to run (literally, his child was off again).

I realize some kids are hard to control, and leashes may genuinely be necessary for a child’s protection. Otherwise, though, I think it’s wrong to restrain any child this way. Even if you use one of those cute cow leashes Target sells (pet child not included).

Where do you stand on the child leash controversy?

First published July 2009

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Key terms (tags) for this article:
child, parenting, child safety, child leashes, child harnesses, kids on leashes (view other popular tags)

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Comments

The "leashes" are quite annoying, and I believe that unless you have a special needs child they are completely unneccessary. If you are attentive to your children while in public, as you should be, then you should be able to control them as other human beings and not treat them like unbehaved animals. I've had dogs that I didn't have to put on a leash because they were behaved and would stay beside me, and even mediocre parenting skills should be able to accomplish something so simple. I'll never forget the time that I saw something much worse that the "kid leash". We were at an amusement park and a woman had her child attatched to her beltloops by a bungee cord! She could hardly walk without stepping on the poor child! I would definitely recommend the leash over this 2 foot cord! A child is human too, not just a piece of baggage to be drug around!

I'd have to tend to agree with the author...I couldn't in all seriousness put either of my two children on leashes and I've got two EXTREMELY active boys! Maybe I could be saving myself a lot less worry if I just leashed them up, but then I sort of feel like I am inhibiting my 2 year olds ability to be the "explorer" of the family and embarassing the heck out of my 4 year old. What I tend to do is avoid huge events that I might run the risk of losing a child. I also couldn't live without my double jogger! To each their own...whatever works!

I know it might seem strange to some but i use a leash for my son. He has autism and loves to escape. So when I go out in large areas I put it on him and it works great. When the family took a trip to Cancun I put the leash on him. Mine is the one that is for his wrist and we walked not RUN thur the airport. It's a big safety issue.

I have been looked at like I'm a monster many times and once was actually challenged by a man in a store. My answer to him and everyone else who has a negative opinion on child 'SAFETY' harnesses was/is "Better on a leash than on the back of a milk carton." My child was constantly running away, climbing out of grocery carts, darting in traffic, hiding in stores and distressing me to the point that I could not think clearly. I think when a parent is distressed all the time, that is more problematic and potentially destructive than a child occasionally walking about in a safety harness tethered to a mother who is relaxed and thinking clearly. I tried to leave him home or at the sitters as much as possible but that is not always an option. And by the way, what is wrong with a child experiencing a little restraint once in a while? Children now days aren't taught the concept of restraint and therefore cannot possibly develop 'self' restraint. THAT is something to be concerned about.

I agree. I feel that while it may look a little...um...mean and condescending, it can keep a child from getting lost or kidnapped. I'll take a pet kid over a lost kid any day.