Comments on: Helmets and harnesses on kids don’t make them safer

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 17:55:47 +0000

Just reading through the comments, I do not see one from one of those who “were leashed” at 18mos to 3 years. That happened to me 70 years ago and I have carried the inner image of myself as a dog all this time. Dogs do not talk, do not “fall in love and marry but remain a best friend,” do not eat at the table, do get into dogfights, bark, yelp, whine, beg, live in the “doghouse/in trouble” and “work like a dog” throughout their lives and other outward behaviors that I have been acting out all my life such as breaking my ankles, toes and biting fingernails because dogs have paws and not feet and hands — just because I was a mensa child, healthy, curious, running around. My grandson is just like that and I follow him closely when he runs and celebrate his curiousity and learning moments. His parents would never have considered a harness, leash, etc. It requires close attention, yes, but I would never subject a child to the inner self-image that well-meaning parents imposed on me… and that only now am I becoming aware of and releasing so I can live a human being’s life.

By: Annoyed

Annoyed — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:42:37 +0000

Yikes…dangerous territory with the harnesses. Before I had a daredevil kid I was in the “shock/terror/degradation/no leash” camp.

Now, although I haven’t tried a harness, I can’t fault the parents that need them. My son isn’t old enough to really understand “stop” or any kind of dicipline he just knows that he can go and he wants to.

Sometimes with an older kid you can’t tell by looking if they have developmental delays, autism spectrum, impulse control issues. You can’t judge someone’s parenting simply because the kid looks old enough on the outside to know better.

By: Dallas

Dallas — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:50:37 +0000

@HomeTownGirl Its not a matter of not being able to stop a child from running towards something they want. Its a matter of choosing them a longer hand to hold. If he isn’t in the harness in a very crowded place (ex. zoo) then he has to either a)hold my hand-which he sometimes doesn’t want to do and frankly its not all that fun bending down for 2 hours. b) strap him into a stroller so he cant go any where or c)carry the 28 pounder around (gets old quick). I choose to give him a little more freedom in situations that I can so he can explore and feel independent while being safe. I guess I don’t see why this is such an abhorrent concept. Feel free to keep looking down your nose though.

By: HomeTownGirl

HomeTownGirl — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:43:07 +0000

“you can pay all attention in the world to them but if they see something they want they run towards it”
If you can’t stop a 16 month old child from running toward something they want, then by all means use a leash.

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:25:53 +0000

I challenge the “No leashers” to safely take 2 4yr old ADD boys to the Great Escape or the Mall with no restraints @ all. You have to be alone with them, the only person responsible for their safety. Unless you have super powers, you are risking loss or injury. Those buggars can MOVE ! I agree that the buddy straps may look awful, but they sure serve their purpose. Untill you walk a mile…..

By: Dallas

Dallas — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 02:28:28 +0000

@HomeTownGirl Discipline for a 16 month old? How long ago did you have a kid? Maybe your memory is fuzzy or maybe your child wasn’t very mobile until he/she was older. Supervision and attention have nothing to do with a leash, you can pay all attention in the world to them but if they see something they want they run towards it. Maybe your child belongs in mensa or you should write a parenting book.

The only issue you guys have with a leash is that you associate it with a dog. Frankly the analogy fits. You leash a dog so you dont have to chase it because they dont have impulse control and usually arent great at following directions when distracted. Obviously at some point the idea of a leash becomes a little more absurd if your kid develops appropriately. To simply pawn off leashing as bad parenting (or parenting not as good as yours) is a little absurd.

By: HomeTownGirl

HomeTownGirl — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:07:07 +0000

With all due respect, Dallas, I am a parent so it does apply to me and I never find it easy to judge. I have successfully ‘tried to corral a young child who can barely follow directions and is quick’ on many occasions, and did so without ever having to place a child on a leash. How, you ask? Proper supervision, attention, and discipline. Your statement is almost like saying ‘you have to spank a child to get it to behave’. Poppycock! And poppycock on having to put a leash on a kid so it won’t run amok.

By: Terri

Terri — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:39:52 +0000

Long term psychological damage? Children are quite adaptable, give them more credit than that. Oh, and equating a straitjacket to a childs harness? Hardly analogous. I would like know how many of you that find a harness and leash appalling, but don’t have a problem with a harness and belt strap in strollers and carriages? Both are a means of restraint. Other than one’s perception, what is the difference? And, come on, we all know how dangerous sitting can be.

By: Tony Barbaro

Tony Barbaro — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:57:08 +0000

Rob is right..bubble wrap…..plus when you spank the kid it makes a popping sound…
I joke of course…. ;) I would NEVER strike my child….he’s 33 and 6’2″…..

By: kathy

kathy — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:09:09 +0000

My mother had 3 children under the age of 7 in NYC and harnesses were used on all of us. She says “better the harness than a child under the subway”. My older brother was quick and could disappear in a split second. He was disciplined all right- we were small in the 1960’s so there was no sparing the rod in our household.