Who makes the best child harnesses? I have a 2 and 4 year old that I want to give the freedom to walk with us without having to hold hands. But I am looking for a quality product that will be good for both myself and my children.

Kismet, I've had mine for a couple of years, and I recommend the "harness" type "leash", I really like mine.

One Step Ahead sells one called the Kid Keeper (http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=333&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=333&change=117&cm_ven=Overture&cm_cat=Top100&cm_pla=Top100&cm_ite=null) although, I think I just picked mine up at Babies R Us.. :)

I've never used one, so I don't know which is best, but I've come across some really cute ones that you and your child may not mind wearing...

http://amos.shop.com/amos/cc/main/ccn_search/st/child%20harness/sy/productsx/ccsyn/260/prd/12943109/ccsid/268020789-5145/adtg/10020423

https://sslserver.com/inventiveparent.com/opair.htm

Kismet, I've had mine for a couple of years, and I recommend the "harness" type "leash", I really like mine.




I have to second this...the harness is the only way to go with little ones, they can take the wrist part off too easily and it is far to easy to pull little arms when attatched at the wrist. the harness has a loop in back that the "leash" hooks into much safer. BTW I have used the hearness version with 3 different kids walking and pushing a double stroller with 2 kids riding (5 kids for this walk...) no one got out of my reach yet they all felt safe and independant. You can find these in the baby iasle of most drugstores and target (I found all of mine at longs)

Thanks! I will check it out. I want to be able to relax and enjoy without have the heart in my throat, stomach at my feet feeling of not knowing where they just disappeared to. I remember shopping at Downtown and all the displays and islands they have. We lost my folks for about 90 minutes in one store, I can't imagine if it were my child!

I have to get my husband accustomed to the idea of the "leash". I try to use the word harness around him. It didn't help my stance that when we went to our state fair there was a 6 year old refusing to move while her dad kept trying to tug her along. He just looked at me and said See? :rolleyes:

Men! I am going to do it even if he doesn't want to hold one, I have my sister along and I'm sure she won't mind at all.

You can tell your husband that he's in charge of the child, since he disapproves of the leash. See how long that lasts. Bring the leash when he gives in or needs a break.

I tend to hold my children's hands. Or carry them. Depends on the situation. (In the Fantasmic exit crowd, for example.)

to add to the last post...
I have used the harness leash but I ALWAYS pick up my children when in very crowded or dark areas even with the leash...they are small and can get squished...

Also kismet, my husband HATES the leash harness thing but it makes me feel safer...do what you need to enjoy yourself. I'd be willing to bet that once he sees how much easier it is he'll come around.

I have one that attaches to his wrist only, for my 1 yo.

My 2.5 yo nephew loved his harness. We told him he was a fish on a fishing pole. He said "Ny name is Nemo and I am a fish". He wore it most of the time but there were times when he didnt want it on and he would say "NO fishing". But that was usually when we were stopped somewhere and eating, or waiting in a ride line and he wasn't going to get away anyway.

His grandma especially liked it since he can run faster than she can!!

We had this harness (http://www.kidsurplus.com/saf176.html) from safety 1st, but the "leash" part of it is webbing, not elasticized.

Here's the wrist leash (http://www.kidsurplus.com/saf105.html) I had with a velcro attaching piece and elasticized 'leash'. I've posted in other threads that I put the velcro wrist leash on the harness, around my son's overalls, or through a belt loop as a harness alternative. My son hated having the velcro on his wrist. He could un-do it. Plus, I didn't like the idea of tugging on his wrist.

This harness (http://www.smallplanetkids.com/) is pricey but cute.

Adrienne

I personaly have never had to use the harness with my two girls who are 4 and 8. I don't like them because I do view them as "leashes" but I also recognize that maybe some children need them if there is no other alternative.

I was just lucky I guess.

I personaly have never had to use the harness with my two girls who are 4 and 8. I don't like them because I do view them as "leashes" but I also recognize that maybe some children need them if there is no other alternative.

I was just lucky I guess.

My kids don't need them, I just feel a lot safer knowing they are attached to my wrist. It has nothing to do with luck. It isn't that they aren't well behaved, or would run away. It's that you're in a busy, crowded place, and it just gives me peace of mind.

And as far as I'm concerned, people can look at me and think the less of me for having my babies on a so-called "leash" But It is my job as their mother to make sure they are as safe as possible, and personally, I don't care what other people think of it.

I'm not sure if I will need them either, but my four year old is becoming "Ms Independent" and wants to do absolutely everything by herself. My 2 year old mimicks everything she does as well. While I don't allow this to rule my decision making, I also recognize I have to let them have a little space to grow. If it is crowded obviously I am going to be surgically attached to their bodies, but I have been in stores when there are very few people around and my daughter thinks it's a game to play hide and seek in the clothes. I can hear her but I can't see her and it scares me to death. It's happened twice, both times I made it very clear to her not to do it and why, but I don't want to take the chance that while she is having a great time at Disney, she may forget the rules and play a trick on Mommy and Daddy. At least with my "Leash", my sanity and peace of mind may stay intact. :)

My kids don't need them, I just feel a lot safer knowing they are attached to my wrist. It has nothing to do with luck. It isn't that they aren't well behaved, or would run away. It's that you're in a busy, crowded place, and it just gives me peace of mind.

I completely agree. The "leash" isn't there to make your kids behave. It is there to keep them safe. People are nuts out there, even in WDW sometimes. Your child could be the most well behaved out there, but that doesn't mean that something can't happen to them- no matter what age. In fact, people that think that way are the type that take things for grantid, and the chances of something happening to their child become greater, (God forbid). My kids mean the world to me and I could never take those chances.
Sorry if I have offended anyone, that is not my intension. :) Just want to keep kids safe. :D

My kids don't need them, I just feel a lot safer knowing they are attached to my wrist. It has nothing to do with luck. It isn't that they aren't well behaved, or would run away. It's that you're in a busy, crowded place, and it just gives me peace of mind.

And as far as I'm concerned, people can look at me and think the less of me for having my babies on a so-called "leash" But It is my job as their mother to make sure they are as safe as possible, and personally, I don't care what other people think of it.

My comments were not meant as a personal attack to anyone or to provide reasoning for why people use them, I was simply expressing my opinion on the subject.

Seems sometimes the parents need them more. (And not because they get lost or run away or might get abducted.)

Well, I'm glad I saw this post. That is something that I never thought about and I will definitely need one. Some people may be very lucky (and not realize it) like I was with my daughter. She never left my side when we were anywhere, now my 3 year old son is a totally different story - he runs whenever he gets the chance and he doesn't care if Mom or Dad are around or not. He has no fear. So I'm on my way out to buy one or I know we'll be spending a lot of time hunting him down or going to get him at the Lost and Found!

My kids don't need them, I just feel a lot safer knowing they are attached to my wrist. It has nothing to do with luck. It isn't that they aren't well behaved, or would run away. It's that you're in a busy, crowded place, and it just gives me peace of mind.

And as far as I'm concerned, people can look at me and think the less of me for having my babies on a so-called "leash" But It is my job as their mother to make sure they are as safe as possible, and personally, I don't care what other people think of it.

I agree 100%
Well said

Just to add something about the Daddy's not liking the leashes, my husband loves his. It took him a while to get used to it, but the itching around his neck stopped after awhile. He is still trying to get used to his ball and chain, though. Anyway......

Just to add something about the Daddy's not liking the leashes, my husband loves his. It took him a while to get used to it, but the itching around his neck stopped after awhile. He is still trying to get used to his ball and chain, though. Anyway......

:p :p :p

I LOVE OUR HARNESSES! To boot I am a Dad and I was responsible for my 2 year old LY and now I am responsible for a 3 year old and a 2 year old this year. W/OUT the harness I would have been a mess. LY my DD that was 2 pretended to be a pony. We only got one bad look from a lady and I asked her "WHAT?! You think I am going to let my kid run around with a lot of people around here and her get lost? IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE IDEA THEN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!" It felt kind of good to go off on her in a loving parent type of way.

Just to add something about the Daddy's not liking the leashes, my husband loves his. It took him a while to get used to it, but the itching around his neck stopped after awhile. He is still trying to get used to his ball and chain, though. Anyway......

HAHAHAHA!

I'm also lucky. We do not have a "run-offer" and I thought kid leashes were just awful. Then I became a parent. Now from some of our son's friends, who are run-offers, I can understand how they can be a safety item and not a cruel way to shirk parenting-duties (like I thought as a DINK).

Have a great trip!

My boys are now 19 and 21, but when they were little, we had "hand holders"--velcro bracelets attached with a coiled cord. The child's end had a belt loop to keep it from being removed easily. Our kids liked wearing them. We only used them when going to really special places---like Disneyland, and the kids always knew where their parents were--at the other end of the coil! It gave them a sense of freedom and security.

You are taking your dogs to the park??? those things are awful. Be the grownup and take charge of your kids. get a stroller they have double ones. Both you and your kids will be happier. Perhaps a parenting class or 2 wouldn't be out of line.I have seen folks with these things, The kids are still running the show and the parents are shamed all day. If your kids are so wild that you have to treat them like dogs to keep them safe, then perhaps a good parenting skills class would be somthing you should look into.

My kids are active. They like to walk. Why coop them up in a stroller? I'm half convinced the rise in the use of strollers until kids are 4 or 5 years old is responsible for some of the rampant childhood obesity in our society.