Would you use a safety harness on your child?

Yes. It keeps the kids safe and the adults responsible. It also teaches kids what you want them to do (stay close to parent.) I do think harnesses are acceptable when they are on toddlers, not older kids.

I used harnesses at the beach...twin toddlers and one adult versus one big ocean. Too many children have been washed away forever at this beach. A few times at a large store. Once while walking down a new road at a friend's house.

It's all about context. On toddlers in public, there is nothing humiliating or barbaric about harnesses. If you use it at home 24/7, then that may be abusive.

I wouldn't judge someone for having their child on a harness, some toddlers are so hyperactive and fast that you can't let go of their hand or take your eye off them for half a second, and sometimes the person taking care of them just doesn't have the energy to chase after them all the time, especially if they're older or have knee problems. It's better to keep them on a harness than have them get hit by a car or snatched by a stranger. Besides, I don't think children at that age are old enough to find it humiliating, a 6 year old might but a 2 year old would not.

I feel like this is the kind of thing that, before becoming a parent, seems out of the question. It's demeaning! It's like they're a dog! Just watch your kid!

But once you actually are a parent - of more than one squirmy, energetic child - and you take them to a fair, an amusement park, etc... you might re-think it. Generally if I'm taking all four of my young kids out to a big event, I like to have plenty of adults on hand to help me keep hold of all of them (my husband, and a friend or relative if necessary). But that will not always be possible, and I can't discount the possibility of using a harness one day. The alternative is forcing her to sit in a stroller the whole time, when I know my little one would rather be out and running around.

It doesn't seem like the worst idea in the world to me. When I see parents using them at big fairs and events, all I think is that they want to protect their child.

And why shouldn't you treat your child like a dog? Seriously - You leash your dog to keep them safe, because they do not know better than to run off if they get distracted. You "harness" your kid for the same reason. I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, if anything I would thing it is wrong to protect your dog more than you protect your kid.

That said, I do think you should try to avoid the safety harness. If all it takes to teach your kid not to run off is an occasional spanking or time out, it is better to just get that out of the way. But if you have a headstrong kid that you are constantly chasing, or if you spend a lot of time in crowded places where a child could easily get lost in 2 seconds, then yes. Go ahead and get a harness.

I love my dogs ... but I adore my kids. Sorry but for me this is a no-brainer!

I never used a 'harness' but I did use a wrist harness - it was not an everyday accessory but was something I did use when I knew we would be in a large crowd/event situation. With two other children to also keep an eye on it was also a sanity saving device lol

The wrist harness seemed less restrictive then one of those harnesses they wear over the shoulders - but it gave me piece of mind when I did use it.

As for is it wrong ... well as a nurse I think telling a parent their child is never going to walk again, never going to function mentally or worse still dead is wrong ... (does that answer your question???)

I was useless set against this...Except I had my guy who just mostly doesn't hear. He is just all over the place. My husband hates them and says humans wouldn't have children in the event that they need to put them on a leash. Yet he's invariably the one carrying our son when our son get out of manage. If she falls loads maybe a stroller can be a better option. What about those hand at hand cuffs? She wears one and its attached to you? Its a rough call. Hope you're making the right option in your youngster. Advantages~

Cue all the "Perfect Parents" with "Perfect Kids" saying "It's bad parenting,make them hold your hand" or "My kids never needed one because they knew what to do".Seriously,go blow smoke out of your ***

I used a wrist strap with my son.I got one after I was accused of trying to abduct my son because of his behaviour when I was literally forcing him into holding my hand.I had to think,what is the lesser of 2 evils,use a restraint or have him walk down the street screaming and crying and trying to squirm away from me?It seems nobody takes into accounts individual personalities of children (yes,they do have them!).I have no doubt there are kids out there who do hold hands but my son isn't one of them

My personal opinion is that parents shouldn't put others down for their decisions.It might not be "your" way but that doesn't make it the "wrong" way,it's just different.Unless the child is neglected or abused,mind your own and concentrate on your own kids

well generally i think if ou cant trust your kid to hold your hand put them in a stroller, and i always said i would never use one, but my son now is at the age where i would love to start letting hi walk on walks, but not quite at the age where he hold my hnd and behaves, so i think i might buy one of the wrist ones as a safer way of teching him to stay close while he is learning, i will still hold his hand though, n ot the leash, it will just be there just in case

1

Would and did.

My dad had a friend who wouldn't, because his child was perfectly safe.

Until the one time she got it wrong and ran across the road. She was hit by a bus. She is now an adult in her 40s and hasn't walked or talked since.

It is not a risk worth taking. Let your child run around freely when they are in a safe space, not when they are somewhere that has traffic.