Toddler leash

TravelGrl · Feb 21, 2017

My daughter is 2.5 and is very fast. She loves to take off and run in open spaces and I am afraid of her disappearing in the large crowds at WDW. Has anyone here had any good or bad experiences with child tethers? Any recommendations?

Thank you in advance.

jeepnjudy · Feb 21, 2017

You will probably get all sorts of negative comments on here about using one but When my DS was 2 he was the same way. We used the type that is a harness on his body and it worked great. I would avoid the type that strap to the wrist as I have heard of too many injuries to the arm with these.

wilkeliza · Feb 21, 2017

I met a little boy that used a backpack one when I was a CM. For whatever reason the backpack tether seemed more humane then the harness leash type ones. They just have a single clip on the front and a regular backpack on the back and a section to clip the tether. You can unclip it if on a ride or the kid is behaving. The little boy went on and on about how his special monkey backpack kept him from being a bad boy and with his best friend he is always good. It was very cute.

It was this one http://www.skiphop.com/zoo-little-kid-safety-harness?174=21&gclid=CIv4uNHVodICFVtXDQodnJkHqw I have seen them at Barnes and Noble in the kids section. I see a lot of little kids form my nieces preschool have them as their "back packs" and then only use the tether part if need be.

KayW · Feb 21, 2017

We had the monkey one too. When DD wanted to walk one of us would hold her hand, but have part of the "leash" in our hand as well. That way if she took off she was still attached to one of us. From behind it looked like she had a cute backpack on.

MudQueen22 · Feb 21, 2017

I've used one with my older child and plan to use one with younger one.
Older child never seemed embarrassed by this, and safety is the priority.

Maistre Gracey · Feb 21, 2017

Heck, my wife puts my on one and I'm 52...

MG

Vijoge · Feb 21, 2017

KayW said:
We had the monkey one too. When DD wanted to walk one of us would hold her hand, but have part of the "leash" in our hand as well. That way if she took off she was still attached to one of us. From behind it looked like she had a cute backpack on.

We used this for our granddaughter. Frankly never worried about what anyone thought as my only concern was keeping her safe.

mom25kiddos · Feb 21, 2017

For a two and a half year old the backpack ones are awesome. We always just referred to it has our son's monkey and if he wanted to walk (as opposed to stroller) then he needed to wear it. He was a runner and in crowds (and having other kids to tend to) it was a safety issue.

Now school aged kids I must admit I would probably take a second look-anyone remember that thread about the family with their kids on harnesses that were school aged?

Betty Rohrer · Feb 21, 2017

TravelGrl said:
My daughter is 2.5 and is very fast. She loves to take off and run in open spaces and I am afraid of her disappearing in the large crowds at WDW. Has anyone here had any good or bad experiences with child tethers? Any recommendations?

Thank you in advance.

used the monkey one with special needs grandson when he was a year older because he was a runner. he learned quickly if he wanted out of stroller then on went monkey. he loved monkey in that his snacks were there and he could get his own but when they were gone he was out of snacks for the day. only ran out the first day when he ate all before lunch and his brothers had kept some of theirs for later in day.

Willow1213 · Feb 21, 2017

wilkeliza said:
I met a little boy that used a backpack one when I was a CM. For whatever reason the backpack tether seemed more humane then the harness leash type ones. They just have a single clip on the front and a regular backpack on the back and a section to clip the tether. You can unclip it if on a ride or the kid is behaving. The little boy went on and on about how his special monkey backpack kept him from being a bad boy and with his best friend he is always good. It was very cute.

It was this one http://www.skiphop.com/zoo-little-kid-safety-harness?174=21&gclid=CIv4uNHVodICFVtXDQodnJkHqw I have seen them at Barnes and Noble in the kids section. I see a lot of little kids form my nieces preschool have them as their "back packs" and then only use the tether part if need be.

We have exactly this backpack for my two year old. We love it both as a tether and a travel bag for everyday at home. Big enough to hold diapers and wipes, his sippy cup and a snack, along with a small toy or two. Highly recommended.

wilkeliza · Feb 21, 2017

mom25kiddos said:
For a two and a half year old the backpack ones are awesome. We always just referred to it has our son's monkey and if he wanted to walk (as opposed to stroller) then he needed to wear it. He was a runner and in crowds (and having other kids to tend to) it was a safety issue.

Now school aged kids I must admit I would probably take a second look-anyone remember that thread about the family with their kids on harnesses that were school aged?

I remember that thread. Some of the kids were closer to pre-teen if not teenager if I remember. Younger school age (especially if special ed) I could see using it in a crowd.

TravelGrl · Feb 21, 2017

Thanks for the advice. My daughter loves backpacks and she might be willing to wear one since both my husband and I will be wearing backpacks also.

Camshell · Feb 21, 2017

TravelGrl said:
My daughter is 2.5 and is very fast. She loves to take off and run in open spaces and I am afraid of her disappearing in the large crowds at WDW. Has anyone here had any good or bad experiences with child tethers? Any recommendations?

Thank you in advance.

We had one for my son at 2.5 and it worked well. If you want to use, get one now and practice with it. Some kids don't tolerate them too well. Having them walking normally with one is great, not sure if I would use one if the child was constantly pulling or struggling with one. That just sets you up for other issues.

here757 · Feb 21, 2017

My mom bought me one for me to use on my son.
It was the monkey. He stuffed the monkey full of fruit snacks, then walked beside me .... holding his own leash! Lol

Dismama2boys · Feb 21, 2017

That monkey backpack....probably the only reason my 2-year-old is still around.

Mackenzie Click-Mickelson · Feb 21, 2017

wilkeliza said:
I met a little boy that used a backpack one when I was a CM. For whatever reason the backpack tether seemed more humane then the harness leash type ones. They just have a single clip on the front and a regular backpack on the back and a section to clip the tether. You can unclip it if on a ride or the kid is behaving. The little boy went on and on about how his special monkey backpack kept him from being a bad boy and with his best friend he is always good. It was very cute.

It was this one http://www.skiphop.com/zoo-little-kid-safety-harness?174=21&gclid=CIv4uNHVodICFVtXDQodnJkHqw I have seen them at Barnes and Noble in the kids section. I see a lot of little kids form my nieces preschool have them as their "back packs" and then only use the tether part if need be.

Well I would say if you really feel the need to use them that backpack seems like a really good option. It also at least to me would bring more interaction with the child rather than just a strap on their wrists or a small stuffed animal. They can actually really use the backback to hold some stuff of theirs.

That little boy in your story sounds totally cute.

eeyoreandtink · Feb 21, 2017

I hate them, but if you use one I would suggest a harness rather than one that attaches to the wrist. It's easy to dislocate an elbow with the wrist one. Also, be careful of wrapping or tripping others with it in a crowd.

Cinderella94 · Feb 21, 2017

I have no direct experience with this, I'm just thinking about the idea of wearing a backpack. Sometimes I get annoyed with having to carry around my bag in the park when it's extremely hot. Obviously a child's backpack would not be heavy, it just doesn't sound pleasant to have something right up against you when it's that hot. But I could be wrong.

Lupeix · Feb 22, 2017

When we took DS when he was 2.5 we made a strict rule that he was either on the stroller or had to stay close by and not run, if he ran he will be put into the stroller ASAP. He tried running twice and got the point. I have nothing against the backpacks, but they don't teach the kid to stay close in a crowd which they really need to learn. I often see too many kids yanking on them. Also, the issue with others tripping on it if your child runs is very real.
I know knowing for sure that you can locate you child if he runs gives you peace of mind. Have you considered a gps or bluetooth tag? You can get some very small tiles that you can put into anything that work pretty well with your phone using bluetooth over relatively good distances. You can also get a smart watch for kids with a locator.

adisneyaunt · Feb 22, 2017

OP: go with ur gut, if a tether is what you need, care not what people think or say. When it comes to the safety of your child .. you know best.
Have a wonderful trip!

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