To put a dog lead on the baby?

[WhiteTrash]

A friend of mine took her (then) toddler to a festival, he was just walking so had reins on him, and attached to that, a retractable dog lead. It meant he had a little freedom but stayed safe and she could sit with her friends.

We've booked a short camping trip, the baby will most likely be walking by then and Im not sure if all babies do this but our first, once he started walking would literally aim for the horizon and just go. Over and over again. No amount of distraction would prevent it. It lasted 5 or so months and he was a bit easier. Im assuming DS2 will be the same, and we'd love to sit on the beach have picnics etc.

Anyway when my friend told me what she did, I thought it was a genuis idea. But apparently, she said people hurled abuse at her for it so clearly not everyone agrees that its a good idea.

IS it unreasonable? Totally prepared to be flamed. But I figured Id ask her first then have abuse hurled at me on the beach.

i can only imagine the injuries from using longer reigns .... you dont have as much control as a nomal close reign.

I have not namechanged btw. whatever that means.

chipping i have. and guess what? he walked ran skipped jumped all on his own without what i can only call a lead on him.

sure why not keep them indoors until they learn. problem solved.

Everything all of you (who disagree) say is moot points. You cannot say reins are fine, but say reins that come with a longer strip arent.

Dog lead is no issue now, I just need to get reins they already have the dog lead attatched.

Or am I not allowed these either?

No to reins now? No to THOSE reins now? Or do they have to be a certain length before youre all ok with this?

Clearly you haven't read your own thread otherwise you'd understand my comment from the first couple of pages re eating shit.

You have moved the goal posts we are not talking about reigns, we are talking about retractable dog leads. You have been rather nasty to slow, telling her to stfu because she doesn't have kids because she stated this was lazy parenting assuming the OP hasn't yet done this then she needn't worry about that remark as she was only canvassing opinions.

Oh yes, lets all stay in doors for 5 months. Ffs dont be ridiculous.

And the thread changed when I agreed a retractable lead was dangerous. You too, have not read my thread.

I certainly did not tell anyone to 'shut the fuck up' thank you.

White, the thing is YOU can do whatever you like. You asked for opinions and you got them do you need us to ok all of your decisions before you go ahead.

You're all right, as the parent of a bolter I do feck all just take hime to soft play where can't get hurt

well i think using a retractable dog reign whatever you want to call it is ridiculous.

so your on the beach and the child does what exactly that you would need to pull them back on a lead which i can only imagine is more distressing.

No Chipping told her to STFU a bit unnecessary, but there you go.

well then why are they on a lead?

I have a 15 month old who runs, yes runs. I cannot believe these people who have toddlers who want to chat and pass you shells judging those of us who have bolters. I am telling you DD is quick, unpredictable and fiercely independent. I don't want to corral the poor thing in the pram all the time, she hates it and I think the exercise is good for her. She is high energy and needs to run. If I held her hand all the time, a) my already horrible back would be worse from leaning over sideways b) she would try to twist her hand out every ten seconds c) I wouldn't be able to take her to the beach, petting zoo or anywhere where the danger/animal is closer than 20 meters (which can be how far it takes to catch up with her).

I will admit to being a little about the lazy parent comments from someone who got up at 1pm, that is 9 hours later than me. Because as well as being a bolter, DD also objects to sleep.

sigh for the millionth time Im NOT going to use a retractable dog lead. The reins with the dog lead have been invented.

Off to bed now, bored of repeating myself.

i am seriously trying to picture a scenario as to why or what you would be using it for ... please please give me an example!

Marys, I've been on this thread from the beginning just not all day as I was taking my children out for a walk to enjoy the sunshine, bolter and all

I wondered that too Maryz. Why any pulling at all, it would defeat the point of giving him freedom.

ok listen I am sorry for my posts honestly. i understand that at the end of the day we all want our kids safe and no doubt you are a loving parent. i'm sorry for shouting, genuinely. if it helps with your family out and about then go for it.

if you're asking whether or not looking after your child rather than sticking them on a lead is ok then YABU.

you're going to be looking after them regardless so why bother with the lead?

Obviously me having no children makes my opinion pointless so I understand if nobody replies

realise i sound like jekyl and hyde. bad weekend. didnt mean to come across so bitch. not something i would use personally but its your choice.

slow it's not that your opinion has no weight. I think, though, most parents have been in the position of forehead slapping at their assumptions when they weren't parents. I would never have thought of reins before I met DD. I thought I'd have a mellow kid. I blame DH who was a runner.

I think it is a fabulous idea...i had reins for my eldest but didn't bother buying any for my second...wished i had and I will definitely be getting them for my baby when he gets on his feet. my mum always gave off at me for not having them as they were safer than just holding hands (which a youngster will always be trying to pull free from) and you can also use your hands free in shops etc.

attaching a lead is just a slight variation in that the child can roam around in the immediate radius in which you are sitting. I can't understand why ppl think this means you are going to take your eyes off your child...how long do they think you will let the lead extend..over the hill and far away??
i don't think your child will choke on it given that he will still be in sight..i imagine you will only extend it a metre or 2

you should invent something like this for dragon's den!

For example, we are at the beach we're all sat down ds doesnt want to sit down whatsoever. He wants to play in that bit of sand. Nope that bit of sand. Nope now my sippy cup. Ooh big stone. Back to the sand. To my mum. Whats my big brother doing. Back to the sat. New stone! Etc etc etc.

He can have a little freedom with of us arou d enjoing him without me running after him going toward the sea 47862 times picking him up and him SCREAMING each and every time.