Toddlers on Leashes--anyone do this?

I think you do have to practice in unimportant places first. I only have one harness, but I find it very helpful to put it on one twin even if the other is just holding my hand. I also have my 4 and 6 year old with me most of the time. I've had both twins run off and out of sight--not fun at all. I mostly use the stroller, but there are places where it doesn't fit or whatever. My leash doesn't look cute--purely functional.

 

My two wear their backpacks and they love them. When travelling esp for long periods of times - in airports etc they get bored sitting all the time and need to walk around.

There is no way I would do it without a leash.

We get tons of looks but I would not say that any of them were judgemental. We constantly just get "oh how cute?".

I get stopped all the time from other parents asking where we got them. (target - the monkey and the puppy).

I think they are a great invention and I totally disagree with any parent who thinks otherwise.

It is not practical to hold their hands or say stay close. You may be sitting down but they may want to have a little explore. If you are in a public, busy place to say "stay close' is just not a reasonable expectation. Personally I would rather be safe than sorry.

And yes - I was the person who thought they knew everything before I had kids and said I would never do that -how cruel. ha - look at me now.

 

We use them from time to time, like when we go to the aquarium or something like that. They love wearing their monkeys and usually don't mind being tethered. I've gotten some looks, but usually the only comments I get are ones about how cute the backpacks are.

 

I have the leashes and have used them a few times but my boys don't really like wearing them....I use them more as a threat- "If you don't stay by me and listen I will have to put the leash on you"- That REALLY bothered my 5 year old when he was 2 and 3 so he would stay very close. The twins are a little more trying so I have had to follow through a few times esp. when they were two. Now that they are three they stay pretty close.