To think there’s nothing wrong with toddlers on leads?

I always feel so sad when I read these threads. I think of poor MrsPresley, a poster on MN whose child was run over and killed when his dad didn't put the reins on.
My boys were both bolters. Road sense and distance awareness doesn't develop until they are about 7. On reins is better than under a car. It is uncomfortable for a small child to walk holding hands with an adult for any legth of time. If you have to pull them you risk dislocating their elbow.

I genuinely don't know why parents wouldn't use reins. There's been loads of cases of young toddlers and kids going missing, or running out in front of traffic etc.

Why on earth risk it? I genuinely don't get why people wouldn't use them on young children who want to walk but lack coordination.

Not at that stage yet, but no problem with using them and very unbothered by whether they're called leads or reins. Let's be honest, it's absolutely a child lead.

It depends how they are used. I hate it when a parent yanks a child to change direction rather than speaking to them. I had a late walker with terrible balance and used them so I could catch her when she fell before her face hit the ground again.

Our eldest we used reins (backpack style with a lead) regularly in town, he absolutely hated holding hands!

Youngest is much better at holding hands and we live in a much less busy town now so we haven't needed them there, but did use them on mountain hikes to keep him on the trail and safe. We still use a climbing harness and rope now he's bigger (4) when we're up high, only takes a second of us being distracted and he could be in a dangerous situation so seems sensible

I taught my DD1 to walk to heel. Let her get to the end of the reins and then would ask her to walk with me. She still does walk beside me now - I thought I was very clever, then I had DD2...

I'm not against them per se, but haven't actually ever felt like I needed to use them. And unfortunately near me the only time I ever see them being used is in places like playgrounds/fields where I just don't see why they are necessary and the child can't explore.

I don’t understand. Keeping your DC safe is 100% child focused rather than taking an unnecessary risk - no one knows whether their DC is going to suddenly run off - it’s not something you can ever predict - children don’t behave consistently.

We never needed them with ours, but I think they’re a great idea.

My children weren’t runners as toddlers so I didn’t need them but my sisters little girl used to run off out of no where so I can completely see the necessity before they are old enough to have some safety awareness. However (I’ll get roasted for this I’m sure) I think they look awful. Like an animal on a lead.

My ds wasn’t a runner, but if he was I would have used them!

My MIL refused to use reins when she took our DS1 out.Makes him look like a dog etc.
One day he wandered off in a shop while she was looking at something.She stared to frantically search for him and saw a couple of people running towards an escalator going downwards.There was my precious first born standing at the top about to try getting onto it. He was snatched from the top by a complete stranger as MIL ran towards him. What could have happened is too terrible to think about.
After that reins were put on him before he left the house and kept on until safely home.

This is such a weird debate. Kids always wore reins. Some weird comments on here!

My grandson (22m) loves going for walks on his reins. It means he can stop and look at things that are of interest to him and we know he is safe.

I don't like them. Not very child focused at all. I

I rarely used reins with DD1. When she was a toddler we lived in the East End of Glasgow and the pavements were covered in dog sh1t so I couldn't let her walk outside (one of my tyres was slashed one Saturday night and someone in a flat across the street came out to help me change it; we were surrounded by sh1t and I was about to apologise for putting him in that environment until I remembered that he lived in a 2 bedroom flat with his OH and 4 DC plus 2 large dogs and the extent of the dogs' exercise was to go to the kerb and sh1te on the pavement).
By the time DD2 was walking we had moved to a suburban location but on an A class road with a narrow pavement. She has always been tiny (at 20 she is still wearing 11-12 clothes) so reins were essential to keep her safe and to protect my back.

@YouJustDoYou thanks mate

Didn’t need one with DD but some kids are bolters and they’re brilliant then.

Mine would not tolerate any type of rein - but he also hated his cot, and a playpen, and basically anything that kept him contained.

He's really, really good when we're out walking though. He's 2.5 and happily walks 1.5 miles to the park and back, he listens well and will hold my hand or be picked up for roads. So it's worked out for us, really.

I've got no opinions on other parents using them, I'm a big believer in doing what works for your children (as long as it's not doing them any harm).

We never used them and I’m sure they’re great if you’ve got a bolter but too often I see them being used to drag kids along, pull toddlers at an uncomfortable walking pace, stopping them from looking at anything of interest etc and tbh I think that’s a shame. Also parents using them when they’re in the park with one child - just run after them if they want to run about. Charging around in an open space is good for them.

What’s the difference between leads and reins (other than one is for dogs)?

Reins are essential for some children.

It's very strange that some people have an issue with them. Very strange.

reins have never been for me personally because I only (so far 🤞🏻 ) have one child who is pretty good for walking well and keeping hold of my hand BUT I swear the backpack reins must be just about the best idea going. It just makes sense from a safety perspective imo if, for whatever reason, there’s any doubt towards your child’s safety when walking.

😂😂😂 Oh, bless your little heart.

I did not use reins for ds, and I must admit I judged parents who did because I felt it was the easy and lazy (and demeaning to the child) option.

I have evolved since then and realise not everyone has the same parenting experience or needs as I did, so if parents decide it is the best choice for them: fine.