Apr
07
2009
Lessons in Parenting: The Child Leash
Hey look I know that losing one’s child is about the biggest fear a parent can have. But are we really doing this? Is this trend really increasing across America?
Where in God’s name is it OK to treat your kid like a dog by putting a leash on them? I mean you got 10 kids walking and one of them has a leash on them. Come on. How is that kid gonna grow up?
These pictures make me sick. Entertained, but sick.
Well, from the looks of the pictures, a lot of those kids were trying to wander off.
It may be demeaning, but it’s effective.
Reminds me of the wrist strap my Mom used to put on my wrist (and my bro’s, and hers) when we were kids. Similar, although less obviously leashy.
[…] Lessons in Parenting: The Child Leash (Mick Landers) […]
Sure, if it’s a teenager the leash thing gets a bit weird. But a toddler? Too old for a stroller, too young to walk around on their own in crowded places. Ever try walking with a small child at an open air market or a fair? The moment they bold for something interesting, it’s with no regard for oncoming adults or bicycles or cars. So the options are: keep your child indoors or in safe places like open parks, or slap a leash on him or her and watch the pleasure they take in that relative increase in freedom to run around.
Notice several of those pics were of twins. Ever tried walking with toddler multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) in a crowded place if there’s ANYTHING else that requires your attention — like carry shopping bags, plates of food at a festival, a conversation, etc.?
Toddlers wander and can disappear in seconds. Parents do what they can to keep them safe, especially if they are outnumbered. It’s easy to condemn if you’ve never walked in those shoes.
@bob lam there’s a third option: hold their hand. my two grown sons are doing well. never used leases. went everywhere.
It’s not about how demeaning it is, not about what others think. Let’s just say there are 2 mothers, both with equal sets of multiples. One mother uses leashes/harnesses/tethers, one mother doesn’t. Given that they both go into the same crowded environment, the second mother is more likely to lose a kid than the first. Granted someone could just snip off the straps but it’s high improbable. Furthermore, if the second mother were to lose a kid in the child, and the first did not, it is obvous why. It’s hard to bring about multiples, or single toddlers even. (^Karen)
There’s always the risk of your kid running off or getting snatched away. Better safe them sorry. Just wait and see, who will have the last laugh. The ones who hate the idea of restraining children, or the ones who do restrain their children. I’ll bet my bottom dollar than those who do use the child leash will have the last laugh when those who shun and mock is lose a child =)
Hand holding? How would you like to walk around for an hour with your hand held above your head by an adult? I think hand holding is far more restrictive. Im not a parent and I FULLY support child leashes
What about playpens and cribs? Look like cages right? No uproar there
Most of the parents were not PAYING ATTENTION to their leashed children in these photos which is a gi-normous clue as to who would use such a thing. Why have kids if you’re busy trying to get rid of them, keep them out of your central attention zone, all the time. It’s really hard to watch them, but not if you TRY; not if you CARE about more than your personal convenience and the child’s ability to learn more than how to pull on a leash.