Child Harness - Thomson,GA

I love my sons harness. my dad refuses to use it, but what do you do with a 2 1/2 yo who won't stay in a stroller? My dad asks me if my son is a dog or some animal to be put on a leash. My mom makes me bring it when we go in town shopping.

I have one that I bought for my 3 year old now she is 4 and doesn't need it she stays with me. I simply told her that it was for her safty so that bad men wouldn't be able to take her when she tries to run off. She didn't mind it. I would only use it if it is truely nessesary.

I am 27 years old and my mother had one for me and my siblings. Of course, it wasn't nice like the ones they have today. Tell Hunter that it is his very own special backpack. Show him school age children who wear backpacks, and then tell him how special it is to wear one. Let him know he's being a big boy and helping you. I hope this works for you as far as him. As for the rest of your family and friends, don't worry about it. If this helps you keep your child safe, then to heck with the rest of them. Let them know that he is your child and you are the parent. If they don't agree with your decision, they at least have to respect it, especially in front of the child. Good Luck sweetie! I think it is a good idea!

I agree with all, of course... he's your son and you need to do what you think is best to keep him safe. Don't worry about what other people think. That said.. if he doesn't like the harness, how about giving him the choice... stay in the stroller or walk with the harness. Maybe he'll choose to sit quietly in the stoller? Wishful thinking!?

I used to think they were awful too, until I had three children that is! I didn't get one until I was taking all three on a trip that involved three plane changes at major airports. Let me tell you, the peace of mind I got from those probably saved my sanity, and my childrens lives. I kept all three with in arms reach through massive crowds and didn't have to chase anyone. You do what you think is best for your child and don't let anyone make you feel bad for making sure your child is safe!

Tiffany,
I have been just reading postings on this website for a few weeks without responding but your posting made me put everything aside to respond. First and foremost, YOU are the mother of your child and YOU and only YOU should decide how to keep him safe. I am a huge proponent for using those harnesses even if they do look odd. How will you feel if your son runs off in a public place and either hurts someone, hurts himself... or worse? Disappears??? I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. My 4 year boy would never intentially wander from my side but my daughter would be the type to run. So I have 2 of those harnesses just in case. I use them in the airport when I travel because in public places like that, it really takes a fraction of a second for your child to disappear. And that's just if they get distracted and wander off in the crowd. Let's not even think about the possibility of some stranger seizing the moment to grab your child. Do NOT let what other people... YOUR FAMILY INCLUDED... dissuade you from keeping your child safe. I support your decision wholeheartedly.

I have a 3 year old daughter & a 6 month old son and I have been using the harness off and on for a year and a half with my daughter. I use it when we are in crowded places or I have to be out during a "I hate Mommy" temper tantrum. I have gotten strange looks and I have had moms offer to buy it right off of my daughter. I think that it truly is a wonderful device. My daughter hates riding in the buggy and will scream and kick until I just let her out. So we keep the harness in my son's diaper bag for meltdowns. I have had to issue a "Code Adam" in wal-mart when she ran off once, and Id rather have the strange looks and some comments from onlookers than have my child be kidnapped when running off from Mommy!! And as long as it fits the child they can wear it, and my daughter has shown significant improvement when we are out in public. Now all I have to do when she acts up is ask her "Do you want Mommy to put your harness on". Works like a charm every time!

I am a 27 year old mother to 3 year old Tabytha and 6 month old Alexander.

I have a 14 month old and a 2 month old, so I do not really have to worry about the older one wandering yet. So far he is okay with the stroller because he does not realize there is another option. (-: But once he is old enough to be more independent and want to walk beside me, I will seriously consider getting a harness. I have seen them in the past and never thought twice about the parent being in the wrong. I did not know people thought they were wrong to use. Seeing it in use actually showed me that the parents cared deeply for their child. I have also seen people with kids who are running around everywhere, or walking right behind them with no supervision and that is extremely unsafe. I am also realizing that even with the best parenting skills, kids will still be kids. In my opinion you should keep the harness. I would be worried what my dad thought too, but just know in your heart it is for the safety of your child. Better to have him hate the harness than to loose your baby.

there is nothign wrong with a baby harness, thats why they are made.

I think what colleen said sums it up perfectly.I personally plan to get one for my 2yo soon b/c i'd rather keep my child safe than have him hurt or snatched up by a stranger. Also I respect other shoppers and don't want my kids running everywhere and disrupting people(like ALOT of kids do b/c their parents don't care enough to have control over them). As for the other moms on here who critisize instead of helping you should really remember what this site is all about. Also 1)walk a mile in their shoes before you judge and 2)Before you start pointing fingers and judging make sure your hands are clean. NO one is perfect but that's what this site is all about. Helping and being helped by other moms who have been there or can be sympathetic b/c they too are a mom and know how hard but wonderfully rewarding it truly is.

No offense, but he is your son. You do what you feel is best. I use one on my daughter sometimes. I have tow children under two and sometimes I need a little help. Who cares what other people think? At least you are trying to go with you son instead of using a nanny. I say do what you feel is right!

Hi Tiffany,

Sounds like you are pretty distraught and your family isn't helping, let me tell you I went through the same thing with my little boy he didn't listen and was always running off in public. I purchased the monkey. He wore it a couple of times and got the picture. He would stay with me and the one time he started off I put it on him and he would stay with me the next time with out it and then threats would come out like if you don't stay with me you will get the monkey on your back. He stays with me now although his little sister is now two and she loves the buggy. My son is now three will be four in June and I would not have been with out the monkey as we call it. I would rather people stare at me and family give me grief then loose my little one due to him running off or someone scooping him up and running off with him. One to many scares for me so I did break down and buy the monkey. When your family is giving you grief say I would rather use this then loose Hunter. Good luck! A.

Hello Tiffany,
I agree with the others that say you are the mother and you know what's best for your child! Kids will be kids.. and I know that because i have a 2 year old also! The terrible two's! :) I also have a 6 month old and it is very frustrating going to the grocery store because of the oldest doesn't want to sit still for that long period of time! Before i had children i was like "whoa, those things are horrible! It's like their dogs!" But now that i've had kids, I really do believe that a child harness is okay b/c it's actually for the safety of your child! Do what you think is right! Dont worry about the others, they're not the ones who have to take care of your child!
Hope everything goes well!

Honey first take a breath I want to say tell your father a thing or two but thats not productive so alls I am gonna say about that is breath and just find comfort that you are Hunter's MOTHER and you love him and you have a maternal bond with him and what you decide to be the best for him is exactly just that. Your father is his grandfather and I am sure he loves Hunter, grandchildren are from what I understand Gods gift to our parents and that bond is super special but your the parent and it is on your shoulders to raise your child so brush your shoulder off breath and do what you know to the best for HUNTER not PAPA or whoever else. I saw you had some good advice from other moms about how to get Hunter to like the harness or to use it as leverge either way his safty is the issue and he won't need it forever! Good luck

Use it, we bought one at wal-mart with Elmo on it, I made a big deal about Elmo and she loves it. I just need to use mine more often.

I am SO glad to hear how well it worked for you. That is great!!!!

I encourage you and applaud you.

I agree with Michelle K... ALthough I'm not a big fan of the harnesses, I abhore anyone who says "You're not doing that right".

You have to decide what's best for you and Hunter. And maybe if he really dislikes the harness, it will teach him to act propertly in stores.

Good luck, and keep your chin up. Don't let anyone else tell you what's right for you!

Hi Tiffany, I'm M. and I have a very active 3 year old who I do occastionally put on the harness. I first bought it for an airplane trip and didn't want her to run away from me in the airport during security. You have to do what is right for you and your child. Your father can quite easily make judgements but he isn't there for your errands and everyday tasks, your son will have to learn that when mommy says stay put he had better listen because otherwise he could get hurt or in trouble or even worse someone could take him. I had this talk with my daughter about how not all strangers are nice and if she gets too far away from me and I can't see her someone could try to hurt her. Yes it put fear in her but what is important is she realizes that what I'm asking her to do is for her safety. Some what ifs: what if he fall down stairs because he runs off, what if he runs in to traffic in front of the grocery store as the doors open automatically, what if he tries to climb shelves and pulls them over on himself. Remember you are the Mom and you have every right to do what is appropriate for your child not your dads kid or the stranger in the store. Be strong and self assured that your decision is for the best of your baby and trust me he's not suffering although he may convince you otherwise.

I use a child harness on my 3 year old and will soon be using one on my 1 year old. Ours is just a harness, it doesn't have a back pack on it because I didn't like the way it looked and neither did my children.

My children like it for the most part. There are times when they want to go farther than the "lease" will allow, but they get over it. I've told mine that if you want to walk when we go shopping you wear this. If you don't wear this, then you will ride in the shopping cart (which they hate now that they can walk). I use a stern voice so my kids know I mean business. I also tell them that Mommy has shopping to do and I cannot and will not spend our shopping time chasing them around or trying to keep them in sight (do you know how hard it is to make informed decisions on best buys when trying to make sure your child isn't running away?) Also, if they try to run away even with the harness on they go in the shopping cart. walking is a privilege not a right and priviledges can and will get taken away for misbehavior.

If it's any consolation, think of the harness this way: I'd much rather have my child on a harness and know where they are than for someone else to have my child. I'd also rather them be able to walk and have some freedom than for them to be yelling and screaming trying to get out of the shopping cart the whole time we're in the store :)

Not to sound harsh, but who is raising your son - you or your dad? You are Hunter's mom and you need to do what is best for YOU and HUNTER - NO ONE ELSE! If the harness is your way of keeping your son safe than do it!
Since Hunter doesn't like the harness, explain to him that he is going to wear it until he learns to behave in a store - don't yell or threaten him w/ it, it will only make matters worse - just a tool to keep your child safe.

Just some of my thoughts...good luck.
M.