We are taking our 18 month old daughter to DL later this month, and I was considering getting a toddler leash for her so she can walk around some and not have to ride in the stroller all day. Does anyone here have one that they would recommend? Thanks in advance.

I recomend the type that is a harness that velcros in the back of the child- rather then the wrist type. That way the child can't get out of it on their own. I bought mine at Target.

I would second the recommendation for the harness-type. The ones that attach on their wrists can be dangerous if they try to pull away--too hard of a pull and you have a dislocated shoulder on your toddler--not pretty.:)

I would second the recommendation for the harness-type. The ones that attach on their wrists can be dangerous if they try to pull away--too hard of a pull and you have a dislocated shoulder on your toddler--not pretty.:)I agree. I had an active 2yo who if you didn't pay attention to the leash, he would get it off and be gone. I also had one (older brother) who had issues with dislocating his elbow. He's 20 and last time he dislocated was when he was 16. So, it takes a while to grow out of that.

<-- Oh and thats my used to be active 2yo, he sure has grown up!

Be prepared. Every child is different. We tried this approach around the same age and my son threw himself on the ground and screamed trying to get the thing off. (both the harness and the hand one...neither worked.) We've had to make him hold our hand, stay in the stroller, or we just run after him. The leash didn't work for us at all.

The leash didn't really work for us either. I found I still had to keep him pretty close to me as he'd get tangled up in it. Or people would try to cross between us and trip or get caught.

I think they're a great idea, though, if they work for you.

I bought a leash to use with my active kids. I used it more a threat really. "If you don't behave and stay where you can see Mommy I am going to have to put the leash on you." The threat was all it took with DD. I did have to use it on DS. Of course, the first time I did put it on him (in a Payless shoe store) DD chimes in LOUDLY "Hey Luke, now you are just like a DOG!" Great, just what you want to hear. :rolleyes:

Good luck with the leash - I got mine at Target and it could be used with a harness around the body or just on the wrist so you had a choice as to what works for you. I think it was The First Years brand.

I found the least to be not necessary with my toddler. Of course, we took him in the off season and didn't have to worry too much about long lines or crowds where he could easily get away from us. When he got too distracted or it got too crowded, we would strap him into the stroller and go for a ride. ;)

When I was at DL last time, I swear, I saw a whole family with all kids in leashes - and those kids had to have been upwards of 5 - with the oldest looking like he was 10. They looked absolutely miserable and humiliated.

But, it seems to work for the young ones - I would say up till about 3.

Many a years ago I tried a wrist leash on my oldest daughter , well she had the thing off in like 2 seconds. That was it for the leash. Luckily I never had a problem with either of my daughters running off anywhere ( they know where the money came from lol )

When we went last August we told DS that he had a choice of either the leash or the stroller. He chose the leash and we had no prob. He would get out of the car and ask for it so that he could walk. It worked out really great for us. He was 2 then and is now 3 so hopefully it will work the same and we have another in the picture now. and we are going the first weekend in march. Just so you know we have the Blue First Years one. But I also know that I saw at Wal-Mart one that is a backpack with a bear on it so maybe that would help a little better.

I, like others, liked the harness type vs. the wrist only. Please practice with it at home before using it and then your little one will be more comfortable.

I think that you should have some pretty light crowds when you are visiting.

we have the monkey one from Walmart and it is pretty good. I personally hate how leashes look, but I love this one! It is a monkey backpack that clicks in the front. The tail is the leash. I get SOOOO many compliments on it and everyone wants to know where we got it. I don't feel like I am walking the dog,lol. And best off, the kid loves it! Oh the other thing is that it has apocket so we put our info in it just in case we get seperated.

Ang

2 years ago we took our (then 2 yr old) son to Disneyland. He is autistic and at that point in his life LOVED to run. He would bolt away at any chance he got. To prepare for the trip, we decided to get a harness, only to find they were very difficult to come by in our neck of the woods and it was too late to order one online.

What we ended up doing, taking a tip from one of the poster at this fine Disney forum, was buying the wrist strap and bring our son's jean shorts overalls. We attached the strap to the back of the overalls between his shoulders and it worked like a charm.

Funny thing was, he did not attempt to bolt not once while we were there. After a few hours of excellent behavour, we took the strap off his overalls and he just walked around holding our hands. He was soooo in awe of the park. =)

We're taking him back to Disneyland in May (he will be 5), this time accompanied by a little sister (2 yrs.) They have both been super excited about the trip and we are hoping they have a total blast!

And one more thing, don't let anyone get you down about the straps/harnesses. A good parent knows what their child requires for their safety. Plus I think people that might be vocal about the use of "leashes" just might have seen parents not using it properly. I would much rather buy one and have it on hand, then take a chance and have my son run off, bump into someone and hurt himself/others, or run, fall and have someone trip over him.

What we ended up doing, taking a tip from one of the poster at this fine Disney forum, was buying the wrist strap and bring our son's jean shorts overalls. We attached the strap to the back of the overalls between his shoulders and it worked like a charm.

Tootin' my own horn: That was me!!! :D That's what I was coming here to post!

Wrist leashes didn't work on my son because he took them off but I like them because they're elastic. I've used the above trick - wrapping it around the back of his overalls - and that's my favorite. But I've also used the harness type of leash and replaced the web-non-stretchy leash of the harness with the stretchy-elastic wrist leash.


And one more thing, don't let anyone get you down about the straps/harnesses. A good parent knows what their child requires for their safety. Plus I think people that might be vocal about the use of "leashes" just might have seen parents not using it properly. I would much rather buy one and have it on hand, then take a chance and have my son run off, bump into someone and hurt himself/others, or run, fall and have someone trip over him.

What Shadowcat said.

Adrienne

I would add this: try it out before you get there! I used ours at the beach a lot (Yes, I'm paranoid of the ocean + kid factor :) ). Before we went, though, I tried it on at home, got the right fit, and explained why, when, and where we'd use it. I never really used it elsewhere, but the few times I did I heard a few rude comments. I, too, second (or is it third now?) what Shadowcat said. I can't imagine anything ruining your day faster than "losing" your child at a busy theme park!

I have a VERY active 2yo, and thought for sure he would be a leash child, never used one with my 4yo. But at DL, he is the most well behaved child, and enjoys getting back in the stroller after we leave a ride, knowing we are headed over to something else fun.
But, if I was going to use a leash, I would get the harness type.

I recomend the type that is a harness that velcros in the back of the child- rather then the wrist type. That way the child can't get out of it on their own. I bought mine at Target.

Definately definately do not use the ones that go around the neck. I've seen that before in the Parks when the concept of leashing your kids first came out and it looks/acts like a choke collar. I always was like "WTF?" when I saw those.

I know they don't sell those anymore... well, they probably do but for other... older... folks. 8:O

we have the monkey one from Walmart and it is pretty good. I personally hate how leashes look, but I love this one! It is a monkey backpack that clicks in the front. The tail is the leash. I get SOOOO many compliments on it and everyone wants to know where we got it. I don't feel like I am walking the dog,lol. And best off, the kid loves it! Oh the other thing is that it has apocket so we put our info in it just in case we get seperated.

Ang

Hrmn... that's ingenious! The child can put stuff in it and you can also leash your child at the same time... wonderful!

Definately definately do not use the ones that go around the neck. I've seen that before in the Parks when the concept of leashing your kids first came out and it looks/acts like a choke collar. I always was like "WTF?" when I saw those.

I know they don't sell those anymore... well, they probably do but for other... older... folks. 8:O

What parent would put something around the kids neck? Sounds more like someone was trying to use the dog leash and collar!

I really liked our harness type, but my husband hated the idea of it. I could only use it when he wasnt with us. I think if had some experience taking both kids alone, when they were at that stage, he would have had a different opinion. Now they are both old enough that neither needs it. I could have used one for FIL on our Oct trip though. We spent more time looking for him then anything!:(

Tootin' my own horn: That was me!!! :D That's what I was coming here to post!

Wrist leashes didn't work on my son because he took them off but I like them because they're elastic. I've used the above trick - wrapping it around the back of his overalls - and that's my favorite. But I've also used the harness type of leash and replaced the web-non-stretchy leash of the harness with the stretchy-elastic wrist leash.

Thank you so very much for those words of wisdom! =) I am ashamed I didn't give ya the kudos above, but it was such a while back I had forgotten it was you who posted that most excellent suggestion. Using it that way was so easy on everyone. Our son didn't even notice it was there and it was easy for me to walk along next to him without anything ever getting tangled.

Thanks again Adrienne!

I was considering looking for a harness for my dd for our upcoming trip to DLR. She is not an over-active child, but tends to get sidetracked and wander alot. I haven't seen anyone use a harness for a long time and wondered if I would get those "why do you have your kid on a leash" looks. It appears that many of you here support them and that is comforting to me;) I just hate the thought of my dd wandering off the check something out and getting knocked over by someone or possibly separated from me!

I haven't seen anyone use a harness for a long time and wondered if I would get those "why do you have your kid on a leash" looks.

One of the most difficult things in my life has been to learn not to care what other people think of me. I'm sure people gave me that look, but I didn't pay attention. My son was safe, happy and very loved. People always have opinions about the stupid stuff.

Adrienne

All of these posts remind me of a sign I saw once while in Petersburg, AK. Posted on a newspaper dispenser in front of a restaurant was a sign that read:

Please do not tie your dogs or your kids to this dispenser, thanks!

I thought it was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. We ended up finding one of the wrist ones and will try attaching it to a pair of overalls (thanks to whoever suggested that!). If she hates it, it was only $3 so no big loss. We'll just see how she does and adjust accordingly.

Definately definately do not use the ones that go around the neck. I've seen that before in the Parks when the concept of leashing your kids first came out and it looks/acts like a choke collar. I always was like "WTF?" when I saw those.

I know they don't sell those anymore... well, they probably do but for other... older... folks. 8:O

Are you serious?! They actually used to sell ones that go around the neck?! That is crazy! Is that a joke? :eek: