So we got back at 10:00pm on Friday night to our neighbor's adult only Halloween party. Which was fine for me as I could sleep through a rock concert, but Ray could not. And unfortunately, our bedroom is in the front of the house on the side of our neighbor's garage, and the party was in the garage. Eventually, Ray did get some sleep, and even though we had a weekend to recoup from vacation, our weekend was pretty crazy too.
Saturday Ashley had a birthday party and I had to find dresses for Ashley and Audrey as they were being baptized on Sunday. Nothing like waiting until the last minute.
And then Sunday we had the Baptism, and went out to lunch with our friends and their families to celebrate as their daughter was baptized as well.
Then our street had their annual Halloween parade. Of which after buying Ashley a Tinkerbell costume and a Minnie Mouse Pumpkin dress costume, she decided she wanted to be a soccer player. Which we already had as she played soccer this year.
So Sunday night, Ashley was in bed early. We were all wiped. And yes, I took pictures of all of it, and at some point will post some.
Onto a new discussion....kid leashes...
While in Disney, I saw many, many people with their kids on leashes. I also work with a guy who has five kids, the youngest being twins who are three, and he uses leashes for them. He says that they won't stay in a stroller, and one of them is a wanderer.
My personal take on them, and I don't want to make anyone mad who uses them, but I guess for me, that's what a stroller is for. If I am in an area where I am worried about losing my kids, I put them in the stroller. And if they must walk, I try and hold their hand. And I totally know this is easier said than done sometimes.
That being said, one thing we learned on vacation is that Audrey is FAST. She can run away from us in the blink of an eye, and it is scary. And that little stinker thinks it's funny.
So what do you think? Leashes okay or not?
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22 comments:
Isn't it nice to be able to relax after a vacation ;) HEE!! I never really thought much about leashes until I became friends with a neighbor of mine. Her son just wanders off and that is sooo scary!! He is 6 now and I still would put one on him!
I have to say that most of the time it bothers me when I see kids on leashes, however it hasn't stopped me from thinking about getting one for Isaac. I've just been too lazy to do it, and lately he's gotten better.....
And what I saw that actually made me reconsider was a backpack that the child wore, which had a teether on it so that the parent could hold on to it. Just didn't seem the same.
Hi!HI!
I saw a million kids on leashes too. I'm not sure how I feel about them, honestly. I've never had them for either of my kids.
Glad you had a "relaxing" weekend. Not!!
Never given much thought to leashes. I don't like or dislike them. If it's the only way to keep your kid from getting sucked into a huge crowd or wandering into the street, I guess it's the way to go.
I'm helpful, huh?
Morgan's FAST, too. Can't say I like it much.
I can't see using leashes. I have considered a tracker though. They make these bracelets that the kids wear and you wear one too and if you can't see them you can push a button that sets of a little alarm so you can hear it and find them. I am seriously considering that.
Thanks for the vaca updates- they were great!
A friend of mine with twins used the leash system in airports when they were toddlers and prone to running away. I think when the kids outnumber mom and dad (meaning, more than two kids for two parents to watch) it may be the only way to account for your child(ren) in busy or crowded situations, especially places that aren't very stroller friendly.
I never had or used one, the stroller lockdown was my best bet for keeping a "runner" in check.
So, I never used one myself but I kind of get it that in certain situations, it would be a precautionary tool to keep your kid safe. But leashing the kid up every time you go out would be total overkill.
i mean on one hand, they aren't dogs, but on the other, its not like you'd use it to make them sit, stay, etc. i agree it depends on how many kids, how many hands, etc.
I'm guilty of using leashes. I had four children under 6 yrs so the two oldest were on leashes while the two youngest rode in the stroller. I honestly never liked leashes but felt they were occassionally necessary. I see they have new ones nowadays but when I used them it was a little velcro thing around my wrist and around my toddler's.
My parents used leashes on us and we seriously resent them for it to this day. We were not dogs! And they had the same types of excuses: "you guys were so fast." Now that I'm a parent, I can see that you are able to control your kids, depending on how hard your work at it. My kids sit in a stroller if that's what needs to happen. They may not want to or like it, but if we're in a place like that, their safety is way more important to me than whether or not they think I'm the nicest mom at that moment.
So as you can see...I'm totally against them :)
What a busy weekend you had after your vacation! I can't wait to see pictures!
Personally I don't like them but I guess it's a question of keeping your children safe.
wow-- what a subject for a day back from vacation.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about the child leash. I think most of it boils down to-- when I see a kid with one, I tend to think there is a lazy parent on the other end. which is certainly not always true, but it's just a prejudice I have. I do think that they are useful in some cases, and I think that if used appropriately they are ok. but like I said--- I see one and think the parent is just taking the easy way out.
I do think leashes are a big step towards safety in some situations.
I always feel bad for kids on those leashes. I'm sure they are practical though. Having said that, I want my kids to learn to behave in public spaces (learn to stay with us) and if they won't sit in a stroller when they need to - we just leave.
I laugh at them a lot. That doesn't mean some people don't find them useful or necesary... Reagrdless, it gives me a chuckle every time I see one.
A trip to Disney is the reason one of my firends bought one for her kid.
I haven't used a leash and I don't think I need to at this point, because Caleb is pretty scared of walking off by himself-but I can just imagine getting to the point where I would want to use one, not only to make whatever trip I am on a bit easier, but also to keep him safer. It's stupid to think that your eyes can be on them every single second of the day. Let's face it, sh!t happens, if a leash can prevent that just a little, then who cares what anyone else thinks!? Especially if you have quick little toddler. As long as you're ok with it and she's ok with it, that's all that matters. If people aren't starting at you because you have your children on a leash, they're staring because your children are running around everywhere. It's always something...
Wow - you had quite the weekend! I'm kind of with you on the leashes...I don't think I would use them, buti see that there are times people might need them (5 kids and the youngest being twins...yeah, I'll forgive them for using kid leashes!)
leashes are weird and sort of dehumanizing, but if it keeps your kid from getting snatched by a pedophile or falling down a well...
I use to hate seeing kids on leashes...until I had Bug. I would much rather have people give me dirty looks than have my child snatched from me by just turning away for a mere second. But let me clarify this, I very rarely used it since she is such a well behaved child. I only used it a few times when she got really frisky. To each his own, I say.
Until you have a wanderer (and a fast one at that) you will never understand the comfort a leash can bring. We live overseas and traveling home is generally a 15-24 hour process and in airports the harness is a life saver. Child no longer wants to sit, and we are trying to get luggage or transfer flights, etc, all with the comfort of knowing child is close and not running away. Same holds true for the zoo. PEACE OF MIND!
I don't like the leashes.
But, as I'm quickly learning with this mommy gig - as soon as I look down my nose at something ... I soon understand the reason behind it ... and I feel like a jerk.
(example "my kid will sleep in a crib. never ever in my bed." Yeah, those words were tasty with a side of crow.)
Welcome Back!! I am not a leash person at all...it is way to much like an animal to me. I just can't do it! I must say that it is scary when you lose contact with your child for a minute. Thank goodness that both our kids liked to ride on daddy's shoulder and then in busy places when it was just me I would use the stroller, hold their hand, or just carry them. To each her own though...I am not judging, just stating my opinions.
Sounds like a pretty busy weekend you had!
My feel on leashes? Hmm until Joshua was 2 I thought it was a horrible thing to do. When he was 2 he got away from me while I bent down to grab something for Kenzie who was a baby. We were at the zoo and he was missing for over 45 minutes. It was probably one of the scariest moments of my life and after that he always had a leash. None of the other kids did though. They didn't have the same problem. I think it depends on the kid. If your kids don't need them though you are a lucky one!
I am finally catching up on your blog!! I just read all about the Disney trip. Sounds like you guys had a great time, especially Ashley!!
I prefer strollers, but Alyssa is such the little terror child sometimes, I might consider one for her.
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