OT - child harness - what are your thoughts?

[KristyMum]

im curious kristy if you have had a child who is a runner?

yes Joh I most certainly have one child in particular who will run if he is given the opportunity

apols on the link, (I didn't post it this time) not sure what that's about.

has anyone used one? what are your thoughts on them?

sorry Betty, from your OP I thought you were looking for opinions both for and against but perhaps you were wanting replies only from those who do/have used them - ie 'for those who have used them what are your thoughts?' If I misinterpreted your OP, my apologies.

[betty]

Originally Posted by johT

i dont like the idea of using them, but found it was a helpful 'tool' to teach jade not to run. as i said, it only took a day, she leant that if she ran off, she would have to wear the 'leash' because she HAD to hold my hand or go in the pram. id explain to her that it's not safe, all that - but she totally didnt 'get it' until i had the 'prop' to show her it had to happen nicely...

how old was she Joh?
Zac is a quick learner, especially when it comes to his freedom, but he is too young to understand the dangers
maybe a week or so will be enough to teach him to not run

[betty]

thanks for the links
I forgot all about safety4baby, they ahve some great stuff, now I want a sandwich cutter

[johT]

Originally Posted by betty

how old was she Joh?
Zac is a quick learner, especially when it comes to his freedom, but he is too young to understand the dangers
maybe a week or so will be enough to teach him to not run

older, 2 or 3...she does have a speech/communication delay so it was/is abit difficult sometimes to get her to understand things...

[Jeni]

Hey Kristie.. I do remember that thread on the 'other' forum. Im pretty sure we can discuss it here too... it didnt' get too nasty last time! lol

There are negative aspects to using a harness which people should be aware of too.

* Kids can injured in a harness.. if they bolt really fast then they may end up falling over from teh jolt of the harness (not too mention bruising on teh chest from the harness).
* Some parents seem to think its ok to tie thier kids up to a post while in a harness. OMG! Yes, but I personally know someone who did this!
* Some parents ignore their kids when they are in a harness so the kids take things from shelves and generally run amok within their space. IMO this is poor parenting...
* Some people dont bother to teach to thier kids road safety coz they figure they are safe enough in a harness so when they go out without the harness, the kid runs off.

So generally the rules are:
1. A harness is not a substitue for parental supervision
2. A harness is a safety device not a fail safe so please teach your kids to hold your hand/pram WHILE using a harness.
3. Bad parenting is not ok even in a harness!


Oh.. and heres JD in his new harness.. rucksack style...

[betty]

Originally Posted by KristyMumTo3

sorry Betty, from your OP I thought you were looking for opinions both for and against but perhaps you were wanting replies only from those who do/have used them - ie 'for those who have used them what are your thoughts?' If I misinterpreted your OP, my apologies.

nope, for and against Kristy
I have always hated them and still do a bit, but I don't judge others who use them
I may have to use one for safety though, I am not one to get stuck on my old idea of something, I am happy to change opinions to necessities
I want to hear more about them as I'm indesicive lately

[betty]

Originally Posted by Jeni

3. Bad parenting is not ok even in a harness!

i think that is the thing I need to consider Jeni
I'm sure i am the type of parent a teenager would love, but not the best and teaching toddlers boundaries etc
it will come with time i hope and honestly admiting and embracing my limitations

that is great Jeni, do you mind me asking how you made it?
and your son looks so cute with his big smile while modelling
I have so much funky fabric here I could use, esp. when we go on holidays, it will be good and I can use the fabric for other things too

[Ali]

Originally Posted by betty

ali, what type is your harness? does it go around the body or wrist?

Mine is the harness type. It does up around their tummy... and over the shoulders I think... argh can't remember now LOL it was a safety 1st brand one.

Ali

[johT]

Originally Posted by Jeni

There are negative aspects to using a harness which people should be aware of too.

* Kids can injured in a harness.. if they bolt really fast then they may end up falling over from teh jolt of the harness (not too mention bruising on teh chest from the harness).
* Some parents seem to think its ok to tie thier kids up to a post while in a harness. OMG! Yes, but I personally know someone who did this!
* Some parents ignore their kids when they are in a harness so the kids take things from shelves and generally run amok within their space. IMO this is poor parenting...
* Some people dont bother to teach to thier kids road safety coz they figure they are safe enough in a harness so when they go out without the harness, the kid runs off.

So generally the rules are:
1. A harness is not a substitue for parental supervision
2. A harness is a safety device not a fail safe so please teach your kids to hold your hand/pram WHILE using a harness.
3. Bad parenting is not ok even in a harness!


Oh.. and heres JD in his new harness.. rucksack style...

wow all things id never considered....
i had different reasons for not liking them, i guess similar to the 'dog' comparison2lol...

JD is so cute!

[Jeni]

that is great Jeni, do you mind me asking how you made it?

Very easy... 4m x 16in.. fold in half with right sides faces.. sew together one short bit and the long bit and turn inside out and topstich the opening closed! lol If you had fabric that was good on both sides then you could just hem it up like a wrap (at 8in wide though).
Just use some wrap ties to put it on.. I used a rucksack tie for that pic but you could experiment to see which one you think is safest. Check out mamatoto if you need some hints! lol



Joh.. one thing I have learnt about parenting is lots of people have 'opinions' but not many can back them up with fact. I research all the biggies and then make up my own mind! lol I might look like an 'alternative' parent but really I am a 'research based' parent! lol That is, it doenst' matter what decision you make, so long its an INFORMED decision!