Agreed. I am really tired of people blaming Disney for everything that happens on their property, or expecting Disney to idiot-proof every corner of the Park. People piloting a heavy hunk of steel need to exercise caution, and so do parents of impulsive, quick-darting creatures, especially when they are near heavy hunks of moving metal. The laws of physics still apply in the Magic Kingdom, and a Park Hopper does not relieve you of parental duties.
You can't phase me; I survived Usenet.
this x1000Originally Posted by leota's necklace
Love My Family
Love Disnyland
In That Order
I think this whole make everything safe for the lowest denominator people is just wrong. Parents are responsible for their children. I would never walk across a parking lot without holding my children's hand. I also think those stupid backpack/leashes are so very wrong. Its a child not a dog. Pay attention to your children not put them on a rope.
The sad fact this is Darwinism at work.... Parents produce kids that parent like they do. If your not an observant parent (ie place a leash on your child because your too busy to pay attention) then your child will do the same when older. I know this is a really pessimistic view but it is what it is.
I never wish harm on a child no matter how poor the parent is. Its not the child's fault the parent wasnt observant but dont blame the drive for a parent not doing their duty.
I am guessing, because of the lack of news articles about this that the child came out ok and wasnt seriously injured. Hopefully the parent(s) will take note and learn to pay more attention to their child(ren) in the future.
I'm not sure I want to go but please don't make blanket presumptions about all parents/all backpack-leashes. In this case, the leash that you hate may have prevented the child from running into a car (or not, I wasn't there).
Not all children are little angels who stand patiently by their parents no matter what. Some kids will run if given the chance, so the options become to strap the kid into a stroller, hold the squirmy child at all times and be "that parent" who can't control their child, or give them some measure of freedom while still keeping them connected to you. My son was a runner. He had more freedom with his backpack than he could have had without, especially in a crowded place like Disneyland. He didn't wear it all the time and we did go to the local park where it was wide open and actually practice go/freeze. My daughter was a little angel. She wore a backpack because she saw it in the closet and asked for it. When she had it on, we would only hold the other end at her request.
I think you're making a lot of assumptions that aren't necessarily correct. Yes, I've seen some parents use the leashes and backpacks and think it's going to solve everything and meanwhile, the parent is paying zero attention to the child. On the other hand, I've seen parents use those devices as tools. Even the most obedient and well-taught child is going to have moments of impulsiveness. I've seen and experienced how quickly a quiet child can be walking beside you one second holding your hand, and the next second, they've ripped their hand out of yours and bolting at something they've seen that has caught their fancy. That's neither the fault of the parent or the child - it's what kids do sometimes. If there's a tool that a parent can use for those times as the child is still learning, I'm all for it.
Having a child that I did use "a leash" for, I will say your comments are out of line. I have 4 kids. I NEEDED to use it with only one. Until I had him, I probably would have shared your view. However, it was an incredible tool, which gave him freedom and the ability to practice using that freedom, and me the peace of mind I needed. I used "the leash" before they had "cute" backpacks. My son is now 24. Its been about 20 years since we used one. But it was something that worked for us, I know it will work for other families. Oh, and when I was using it, my kids were 6, 5, 3, and 2. The 3yo was the one who needed it.
Planning 3 trips at once...
LOL my grandmother used one on me 50 years ago, and I'm still impulsive.
"Although we think it's DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney's Pluto would join us as an 8th dwarf. We think this is just what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at."
I've learned a lot from threads like this one. I used to be in the camp that the leashes were just totally uncool. I never had to have one growing up, and I tended to wander. But a stern word from Dad and I came right back where I was supposed to be. But I've come to realize that all kids are different, and some need a bit more structure than others.
Now, there's still no excuse for the parent who uses the leash instead of paying attention to their child's needs. But I no longer have the instant reaction that a leash is always a bad thing.
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
Parents need to use whatever works for them and not worry about what works for others. I still haul around my double stroller for my 5 and 3.5 year olds when we go to the mall or other stores without shopping carts. Do they need it? Not really. But it keeps them safe and me sane because the kids out number me 4 to 1.
The bolding is mine, it's really the one thing I want to focus on.
After taking 3 psych classes the last three quarters I want to point out that this is not true. Of course children will get some of their parents traits but saying children will grow up and be the same as their parents is an uninformed statement. I personally know many children of the most liberal, loose hippies that have grown up to be professional, conservatives. I also know parents that were strict with their children and their kids grow up to be drug addicts or lazy or just not strict with their own children.
The leash thing has been debated so much that I will never, ever judge anyone for using one. If they would have had them when I was a kid I'm sure my parents would have used one on me because I was a runner (and a hider but that's a different story). Who knows maybe I will use on my kids in the future. If I do I can say I will not be embarrassed about it in the slightest.
"It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." Alice, Alice in Wonderland
My Mom was one of those who always pooh-poohed the use of leashes and that they were "awful, terrible" things. So imagine my surprise and amusement when just a few weeks ago she said that if she were a parent of a small child today she would totally use one. She's 82. Old dogs can learn new tricks.
If I go down, I'm going down fat and full.
Toocherie, that's the first time I've seen that sig. line! Love it!
I began using a leash (harness) with DS2 when he pulled his own elbow out of the socket on the BART platform because he wanted to wander and I wouldn't let go. I figured a few dirty looks were preferable to injury. He loved it. He thought he was leading us!
My youngest hated the thing from the word go. Sat down and refused it entirely. So we ditched it.
There are 10 kinds of people in this world... Those who know binary and those who don't.
I know I am a very different from my mother. I may have gotten some traits from my parents, but I also got more "I don't want to do that" thoughts from their parenting styles.
Planning 3 trips at once...
I think that is many children that become parents thought process. It is funny my brother and I and how different we are. My brother is a horribly worrier, he jumps to conclusions and always fears the worst, he checks heaters multiple times before leaving the house and takes his dog to the vet if he so much as sniffles. I am the opposite. I am so laid back about things and with our dogs we of course take them to the vet if needed up not for every sniffle. I have to use dogs as a reference because we don't have any kids. My parents are not like either of us, they are pretty in between laid-back and stressed out. I guess that would just be normal. I hope to have some of my parents traits when it comes to raising a child but I won't be just like them because I disagree with how they did some things. I fully expect my children to disagree with how I do some things.
On a side note I'm really glad I took the day to think about what I wrote because I was so mad when I read this thread earlier I would have totally been pm'd by the admins. lol. Not that being pm'd is funny but now when I think about what I was going to write it's funny.
"It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." Alice, Alice in Wonderland
Nothing makes me madder that when people start saying the parents who use leashes are irresponsible and lazy. I was a leash kid and my parents were extremely watchful and concerned about me. I was extremely impulsive as a small child and would yank my hand out of my parent's hand to go and look at something. I LOVED my leash as it gave me a bit of freedom while learning to control my impulsivity. The best was when my Dad used to pick me up by the harness and I would get to "fly" Doing that are some of my most precious memories. For me the leash was something to look forward to as it meant that we were going to go someplace special. But just because you see a leash, don't automatically assume!
Cruising the Seas... Looking for the Pearl
First, my thoughts and prayers go out to the little girl in her recovery.
Second, and don't take this the wrong way, but I have seen parents let their little ones run wild and I say, "parents, hang on to your children"
Third, Driver slow the F down! It is a parking garage.
I have a friend who's nephew got his head stuck in a railing while holding her hand, so if they are going to get in trouble, they will find a way. The leash at least keeps them close enough to grab if needed. You do have to pay attention whether a leash or not.
I totally know what you mean. From my mom's stories, my grandma was scary! My mom has a brother and a sister. My uncle is quick to punish, and it doesn't help that he has a short temper. My aunt didn't discipline my cousins enough when they were growing up and it's sad to see them treat her so horribly at times and for her to just take it. My mom seems to be the most balanced.
Cristabel
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