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've read this thread yes thanks, I did not mean to be rude, just thought it was a joke.

How about a fishing rod that way you can reel him in is he looks to be scaling fences putting stuff in his mouth.

slowest I can see your point if they had let the lead extend to the full ten foot or so it could easily become a choking hazard I hadn't actually thought about it that way, maybe that's why the parents got such a negative reaction from people

And also, it's our job to teach children about dangers, yes they bolt, that's sort of the point.

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Where does it stop, it's a bot of a cop out as a parent.

*bit

I used a retractable dog lead with my DS. I just joined it to the back of his harness and he had 20 metres to run/walk without me grabbing him. The locking bit on the lead is helpful when you're round traffic. You definately ANBU.

"Have you had a bolter slowestwildebeast?..i think not"

regardless of my bolting children, if the poster is asking AIBU to stick a toddler on a dog lead then I've answered that, I hope that any future children won't need to be attached to dog leads as I'll get off my backside and follow them.

Reins for children are fine. Retractable fucking dog leads most certainly are not. They are dangerous! I can't believe some people are saying this is ok. Google retractable dog leads, people get injured and these are people using them for their intended purpose (walking dogs!).

I really don't know why you're having a go at slow. She has answered the OP with her opinion. I also think it's lazy parenting, people have a right to an opinion you know.

its a wonderful idea, freedom for toddler with a certain amount of safety built in. Think I may steal this idea for my little one!

Worra - some children will eventually learn that a tantrum will not get them what they want, and will stop throwing tantrum, others won't, and will keep throwing tantrums each and every single time. DS1 was a former, DS2 is the latter.

It doesn't matter that I ALWAYS insist on him holding my hand or going into the buggy when we're out and about, he doesn't want to, and will throw a tantrum. He's been throwing these tantrums for 18 months, he hasn't got his way with them, but he hasn't stopped them either (they do die down after about 15-30 minutes though). They are exhausting to deal with, and I don't go wandering around the High Street shops with him unless I have to. I plan around it as much as I can. If a lead would work I'd use it!!! (Except when I try a harness on him he just drops to the ground screaming and refuses to move so utterly pointless.)

People used to make barking noises at ds when they saw him on reins. I just thought they were rude and ignorant. All very well saying that you should make your child hold your hand, but what happens when you are walking they free themselves from your grasp and run across a road or run off in a busy high street or shopping centre?

The harness was also very useful for being able to grab hold of ds and pick him up when he decided to have tantrums in the middle of car parks/roads etc.

Chitchat, my first dropped to the ground too. Looking back its very funny, he'd do a snowless angle. And reFUSE to get up. Luckily for me he loved his buggy, so just used that. until he was 4 1/2

we have done this, in an open space where there isnt stuff/people for them to get tangled up in its fine, lots of people makes it a trip hazard tho so you would have to be careful where you did it :)

I had the view once that reins was a no go area.

Came to my 2nd child who was a bolter and went and got reins ( 1st didn't leave my side)

I have no problem at all with reins for children, but not sure about the retractable dog lead - I'm not a fan of these even for dogs, and find they can be more trouble than they're worth. Easily tangled around things, including dogs legs, and people tend to get a false sense of security because their dog is 'on lead' when in fact they really don't have much control over it. I imagine it would be similar with a toddler!

In theory I see the appeal of this. The trip hazard would probably stop me from actually doing it, but I wouldn't judge those who did.

People can be really funny about reins, which is fucking ridiculous. I've never ever seen anyone come up with a valid reason not to use them.

op isn't saying she's going to use reins for walking about, that would be reasonable i.e when you're out shopping so they can't get lost etc. but op is saying she wants him on a leash so she can sit and have a picnic without distraction, that to me is unreasonable. Get up, with your pasty and follow!

For those who said it was lazy parenting, arent there a lot of things that make our life easier, considered lazy parenting.

Off the top of my head, swing chairs, play pens. I mean, we could get off our lazy arses and rock our babies in our arms or chase the baby round the house than use the play pen but we have things to make our lives easier.

Aside from the tripping hazard (which btw is a very good point, not one Id thought of. It'd be a quiet area, it would have to be). I dont think the 'lazy parenting' point is valid. I could think of a lot of things which could be attributed to lazy parenting.

I used reins, they are great and I really cannot see what the problem is. Fantastic for giving them that little bit of independence without them actually getting it IYSWIM.

I wouldn't use a retractable one though, the lead is too thin and there'd be too much chance of it snapping or causing a trip hazard.

OP, ignore wildebeast.

And to wildebeast herself, we all are quite aware what the thread is about. Just because no one agrees with you, doesn't mean we need things explained.

YANBU. I actually saw a toddler attached like this when camping once. The parents had even attached it to the ground like you do a dog - using a tent peg.

The toddler had toys within reach and the parents were enjoying preparing and cooking the family meal with their 5yo DD (think knives, gas and flames) safe in the knowledge their toddler was 'freeranging' safely.

They were a lovely family and in fact we spent lot's of time with them as DS and their DD became a bit of an item (think 2 5yos!).

Have a great time camping and do what you think is right to keep your child safe.

youare a goat tether would be better, sturdier and they swivel.

a swing chair and play pen are designed for children, a dog lead is not, they are unreliable and dangerous due to breaking, choking and tripping hazards to name a few. You are lazy.

What next? dog cage?

Yanbu great idea that I'm going to steal

yeah just ignore me, as my opinion doesn't tally with your opinion. I don't want to offend anyone by explaining things (?).