Fri Jun 08, 2007
Would You Put a Harness on Your Child?
Category: Children Poll TravelWould You Put a Harness on Your Child?
Would I? My gut-reaction is “No… definitely not.” And, I’m pretty sure that I definitely would not. However, as a new mother who does many things she never imagined herself doing, I’m beyond judging others.
I’m aware that parents who choose to use products like this Kid Keeper Safety Harness ($6.97) are doing their best to keep their children safe and happy. Frankly, we live in a scary world in some ways, and I understand the impetus to stay physically connected to one’s child and to protect them from life’s dangers.
I’m fortunate to have a lifestyle that allows me to chase my little girl around the block when she demands to walk, and she has a temperment that enables me to scoop her up without much fuss when need be. I’m lucky that my husband goes to the big grocery for certain items, and I can do most of our shopping at our sweet corner store and farmer’s market.
It’s my wish that our babes could run free in our markets, that we could travel without worry, and that we could take walks without risks of accidents. But, unfortunately, this isn’t the case. While it doesn’t feel right for me to put a harness on my toddler, I get why others choose to do so.
Views: 165 | Posted by MomHeather on 06/08 at 11:00 AM
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Posted by Emsbems on 06/09 at 06:05 AM
I ended up deciding to invest in a harness/leash after spending a frantic half hour searching for my toddler who disappeared while my back was turned as I briefly tended to his older brother while we spent the afternoon at the zoo. I found my little explorer by the edge of a pond. As vigilant as I tried to be, I simply could not grow eyes in the back of my head or keep my youngest confined to his stroller 100% of the time during all our outings. It really let him have a sense of independence with his walking while we could still have the ability to monitor without hovering over him, and allowed us to give attention to his sibling when he needed it without fear or stress about having our eyes off the little guy for a second too long. It also had a great feature to secure him in the seats of the shopping carts and helped end the battles as he gave up insisting on standing in the seat of the cart. I was able to use it as an incentive to sit properly for the entire time. If he cooperated, I agreed not to latch him to the cart, if he disobeyed, I would have no choice but to buckle him in for his own good.Most people I encountered were sympathetic, and frankly I never cared what they thought. Having to live with the guilt for not doing enough to protect my child would be worse than what any stranger might think or say.
Posted by HedgeApple on 06/13 at 12:45 AM
I see nothing wrong with parents doing what they feel is best. I want to let my daughter have freedom out of her stroller and get some exercise and I can't hold her hand all day seeing as I'm tall and would have to be bent over (it'd kill my back). I can't believe how outraged some people get over these things because they seem practical to me! People shouldn't judge others so harshly over such silly things. Do what you got to do!Posted by bfunk on 09/30 at 04:59 PM
