In wondering what's wrong with reins?

[beebuzzer]

Who uses them?
Who doesn't?

I do and I often get patted on the back for it by passing old ladies who "don't understand why they ever went out of fashion"
My mum used them on all of us. If I didn't use one my little one would be all over the shop and I am guessing holding my hand for any period of time would be quite uncomfortable for her. (she is only small)

What's the difference between a wrist starp and reigns? The child is still tethered so I can't see why one is more acceptable than tuther to those who don't like reigns...

I'd never use the wrist ones or just hold hands. If you have to pull you could easily dislocate their arm.

my kid spoke at 8/9 months and was stringing words together at 12 months and did understand 'no' and hold my hand. If she was resistant or tired I'd pop her on my back for a bit.

This is why I hated toddler groups etc. Other parents (imo) weird ideas. Learn "no"? In traffic? With no buggy? I prefer "safe till they have a bit of sense".

i dont see a difference between wrist straps and reins. same difference really. for dogs, not children.

Well mine doesnt speak yet (just understands a few words) so that is out of the question.

those who didn't use reins quite possibly didn't have a Bolter

OP there is nowt wrong with using reins or a wrist strap, nowt at all

well start off small, i have never once said i walked along a busy road on my 1st walking trip,it was from the shops to the park, approx 5 minute walk with a pub carpark.

it my parenting methods, i don't see the need to use reins.

All fine if you have one child and they do exactly what you want them to do when you want them to with nothing ever distracting their attention.

Welly daughter's first word was woof

If you had to pull you could easily save them from going under a bus.
Typical perfect parenting on here with no realisation that a 15 mo old is not going to consider your reasoned, well argued logic, and make the sensible decision. Instead they'll just run after nice doggie.

I have lived in all sorts of places -- places where they don't have all these modern contraptions and where they do have traffic. They manage to survive without buggies, straps or whatever. Weirdos.

Thanks Comingdown :)

Have never met a child like that yet virgin!

I will use them if I need to. I can understand (even though I don't agree) those with the standpoint that children can be taught road safety and therefore reins are not necessary (a moment of madness from a child is always possible no matter how much you teach them) but the comparison with a dog is ridiculous. I've heard this on MN before and in RL and I laugh at it frankly. If this is the only reason some people take against reins, it's just daft.

Very constructive Otcha!

Exactly taintedpaint. Silly.

It's just another snobbery to add to the MN list IMO. Another reason to look down on a mother trying her best. Judge, judge and judge again. For crying out loud just let people take care of their kids the way they want to without making reference to the fact their children look like dogs whilst they try and keep them as safe as possible.

also even though i don't agree with reins, it don't mean i would tut at you in public.

i use dispossiable nappies, this is my choice but to some it bu to use them

I've never felt the need for them, but if other people want to use them, that's fine. Tjere's no problem with it, if they feel it's the best way to keep their child safe, that's great.

And leads are for dogs, not reins.

Well, my point was that looked at from the outside, parents in suburban Britain might look like the weirdos, attaching their kids to straps and putting them in wheeled contraptions when they can walk, shutting them up with dummies.

I never saw a pair of reins until recently. I'd not been exposed to them, the thought of using something like that had never occurred to me. I don't ever browse pram shops so unless someone waved them under my nose I'd not have known about them.

Most of the world is like this. Its the developed world, such as the US and Britain which has created the market for all these goods.

I just care to swerve it. Don't need a pram, never have, won't with a second either. Don't need a cot, don't need bottles, etc etc. Same with reins, same with dummies.

Have found that quite a lot on here Virgin unfortunately. It's a shame some people can't discuss without passing judgement.

otc, do you do EC???

No - my one concession! It's not a badge of honour not using these things, but I find it strange that people think all of these things are necessary.

Think they're great. I hold dd's hand and loop the strap round my wrist (yes, like a dog). That way we walk along hand in hand and I teach her road sense but if she decides to bolt as 2yos sometimes do, then she can't get very far. I'd rather be tutted at than see her under the wheels of a car.

Yes otcha but if the means are available to keep your child safe isnt it just normal to take the opportunity? My husband is Nigerian and he has no problem with it or the pram, he is just grateful like me for the things we do have at our hands. And I have lived in a few countries too,I didn't go arund calling them weirdos because they didnt do the same as me!!