I have a daughter that will be 20 mths in July when we go. She hates riding in strollers and I thought maybe one of those harness things or wrist band to connect to me would be a good idea. Anyone own any of these contraptions that can recommend or have other helpful advice, greatly appreciated.

I have seen two styles on the market and I actually prefer my own little hybrid. (disclaimer: I haven't purchased one for a few years.)

There's one that is a harness that goes over the child's shoulders. I prefer this style because I didn't like having something on my son's wrist, plus he always wanted to mess with the wrist attachment which made it harder to keep on him.

The wrist leash, however, was elasticized and I really liked that aspect.

So here's what I did: I dressed him in overalls as often as I could and attached the wrist attachment to the back of his overalls with the elasticized leash - or - I put the elasticized leash on the over-the-shoulder harness. Yes, that means purchasing both styles and "making" your own hybrid.

But that's what worked best for us.

Adrienne

My daughter typically does not strollers or any of that but did well riding in one at Disney. I did not even attempt a harness because past experience had taught me that I had a Houdini on my hands and she could break free from anything I put on her. :)

I used one on my son when he was about 1 1/2. It was to hard for me to keep up with him and not loose the 4 year old. My husband hated it and did like me to use it. I only used it when it was just me and the kids. I went with the full harness. That way it fastened in the the back and he couldnt get it off.

I used one and can tell you it was a god send!! Those who have kids who want to be free like mine can appreciate the use of a good harness, I am laughing as adrienne did the same thing as me . It worked and my boy felt free. Now I wish I had taken it to disneyland :( I tried the stroller bit and he was just mad all the time.

So here's what I did: I dressed him in overalls as often as I could and attached the wrist attachment to the back of his overalls with the elasticized leash - or - I put the elasticized leash on the over-the-shoulder harness. Yes, that means purchasing both styles and "making" your own hybrid.

But that's what worked best for us.

Adrienne

That is a great idea. I'm going to try that with Katy when we go to DL in August. Thanks for the idea, AK.

You are so smart. ;)

Oh no... ducking and running for cover.

Just kidding, I loved my harness for one kid, the other is mare amenable to strollers or hand holding. You know your kid, if s/he is happy in a harness, use it and don't listen to naysayers.

Having watched my son running freely through the park and watching dad try to keep up with him we may have to get one of these things. I hate the idea of it but I guess we'll do what we can. It gets so tough when they want to run.

Thanks for all the help. She does love to run and being little she can sneak through the cracks. Now where can I find these things? I looked at Babysrus.com and Target.com and had no luck. Thanks again and I look forward to writing a report(this trip is with 60 people from a girls 10u softball team) ;)

Thanks for all the help. She does love to run and being little she can sneak through the cracks. Now where can I find these things? I looked at Babysrus.com and Target.com and had no luck. Thanks again and I look forward to writing a report(this trip is with 60 people from a girls 10u softball team) ;)

Go into the actual stores. I think I got mine at Babies R Us. Actually, I'm sure Target sells them too. ;)

Safety1st is one company that I've seen make them. I can't remember if they made both styles or not. Like Emma said, if you can get to a physical store, you may have better luck than online.

Also, did you try a search engine? Sometimes there are online stores that don't have the Target, BRU name recognition that will sell them online. Search child harness and/or wrist leash? I can't really think of what else they'd be called.

Adrienne

I've ordered this one (http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=333&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=333&change=117) but actually never used it. It is a sturdy, well made harness.

Babies R Us sells them in the stores.

I will go to the stores themselves. Thanks a bunch. Now I can quit worrying that she will wander off and what other parents think. I now know there are parents out there who use harnesses :)

Wal Mart carries them as well. Look by the safety section in any of the stores that you choose. That is where I generally find them. :)

are these like leashes for children.....?? if so, of the few I ave seen the harness ones look the best. I never used one on my child though.

Our nearly 19-month old son has started to really resist riding in the stroller for too long, but is also pretty resistent to allowing us to hold his hand while walking. He really seems to have a strong taste for freedom at this point.

This week, we tried buying both the wrist-strap and harness type to see if it would work for him. Unfortunately, he absolutely refuses to wear either one. When we put either one on him he pretty much just fell to the ground and startsed sobbing uncontrollably until we took it off. At least at this age, I guess this isn't going to be a workable solution for him.

-Jeff

I should probably buy before hand as well and try them out. she may scream and resist since she is slightly headstrong. :)

When my daughter was little, I found a great little gadget. It was a fannypack with a little elastic leash (for lack of a better word). The elastic had some give to it which gave her alot more mobility, and the fannypack was good for her to carry a little toy in. Plus, it wasn't real obvious like the bright pink harnesses are. She's 9 now, and sometimes I wish I had that little fannypack back. Not so much to keep her from running ahead anymore, but to keep her from lagging behind now.

I used the wrist thing with my twins when we were in WDW last time. It was pretty crowded and after a while THEY were asking me to put their "bracelets" on. I guess it made them feel safe and secure...

When my daughter was little, I found a great little gadget. It was a fannypack with a little elastic leash (for lack of a better word). The elastic had some give to it which gave her alot more mobility, and the fannypack was good for her to carry a little toy in. Plus, it wasn't real obvious like the bright pink harnesses are. She's 9 now, and sometimes I wish I had that little fannypack back. Not so much to keep her from running ahead anymore, but to keep her from lagging behind now.

hahaha My 5yr old does that to and you can't slow down to let them catch up because they will slow down with you. I don't like it when she lags behind because I can't watch her that way. So I COMPLETELY understand where you are coming from. :)

I have the one that goes over the shoulder and around the chest. Let me tell you…. It is in my van at all times and ready for whatever crowded public place we go too. I have (for lack of better term) conditioned my 20mth old that she ether puts the harness on or sits in the stroller. I tell her “you have a choice, the stroller or walk”. Most of the time she will grab the harness and start to put it on herself.

Saftey first!!! I want my child to go home with me, to be happy and yet have fun, so child leash it is.

My husband didn’t like the idea much, but after a trip to the zoo, he changed his mind.

Best of luck.

I also had the fannypack type. I would connect it to my fanny pack. So we were connected at the waist ( sort of ). I had so many mom ask me where I bought it. I still have it somewhere. My son is 8 . Sometime I wish He let us use it. :D I also had the wrist band but He would escape.

The cons of the harness one is if you have a 4 year old like mine that is always pulling on you the whole day, I get very tired by the end of the day. But the pros outway the cons by far! Both my wife and I love them and carry them with us all over the place. With a 3 year old and a 4 year old, it makes life so much better so much so that even though we are exhausted at the end of the day we all have come home together.

Am I the only one who thinks leashing your kid is a bit...odd? No offense to anyone, but it is not something I would ever do to my daughter!