Teatopia

I used to have the same opinion you did about the kid leashes. Now...I think they're BRILLIANT! I don't have one (yet), but I think about getting one every time I see them in stores.

To tell you the truth, up until this very moment I've never even heard about leashes for kids. I don't have any helpful words for you since my kids were/are pretty good at staying near me during outings. But I'd say it will get easier once your little boy is here and Olivia can "look after him" when you're out and about.

I also don't have one (yet) but I think they're a great idea. They also make cute little ones that are a backpack for the kid to wear attached to a leash.

I know if I let Addison down in a store I'm going to be running after her & not only does it make shopping difficult but in this day & age it's a real safety issue, too!

Long before I was a parent, I thought that kid leashes were horrible. But last year, as we were in Target and MrMan kept wondering off, I bought one. An impulse buy. Unfortunately, we never use it, because what happens is that he wants to go one way, I want to go another, and battle ensues. I might try it again now that he's older. Especially since he now likes to hide in clothing racks - scary disappearances.

I've always thought they were a great idea. My mom had one for my brother when he was little. My thinking is that if it keeps your kid safe and keeps you sane then go for it! It is way too scary to lose a kid in public and when you have another one to keep an eye on then I think it is a wise thing to do. There's always going to be people that will give you a glare or think it's barbaric but I'm pretty sure those are people that have never had a small child get away from them in a public place. Better safe than sorry.

I used to think poorly of them too, until I had a two year old who sounds just like Olivia. It simply became a matter of safety and having a harness would have been for his own safety, not because I was trying to keep him chained up, not because I was witholding him from learning/exploring etc , but because he was in too much danger of getting hurt. As much as we try, we arent superwoman and cant forsee every move our child will make. Thankfully, Liam seemed to outgrow this stage very quickly and now he stays put or will sit patiently in the cart, so we never ended up getting one, but I feel much better about them than I did prior to having my own child. That being said, I definitely see parents who abuse their purpose and I find that irritating!

I used one with my first, i think it is a great idea, safety is the main concern. Then at least everyone is happy, olivia, you and others. :)

Leashes? Use them! If the alternative is her running out into traffic or out of sight (I would be seriously freaked out if the Bubby disappeared from my sight - which he only did once and thank god another mother spotted him and called out to me 'he's here!'), then seriously use them! I have NO problems with it at all. The Bubby used to scream blue murder when put into a shopping trolley, but I decided I wasn't going to take it, and after a few times he realised he was getting NOWHERE with me. Now he gets a choice between either the seat in the front, or standing/sitting in the cargo section of the trolley, and depending on what he feels like, he gets to choose. At this point I do NOT intend to ever go shopping if I have them both with me (no double strollers here). I will only go grocery shopping or elsewhere if the Bubby is at school and I only have new baby with me etc. Handling two of them is just too much for me at the moment - especially when I have to watch out for muggers and hijackers too!

I think those ones I've seen at Target that look like little backpacks and the leash is the tail are cute. This way, Olivia just has a backpack on and you use the tail when you need to. I haven't gotten one, but I have used every hood on Amelia's sweaters and coats in a similar fashion!!!