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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Using reins on my twins

94 replies

JoeParks · 30/12/2012 20:46

My twins have just started to run off when out shopping in the city centre yesterday they thought it was funny to run off in different directions. I tried holding hands but they kept pulling away. So I went into boots and purchased 2 sets of reins. For the first hour they kept swinging and trying to sit down but when they relised that I wasn't moving until they walked and that I wasn't taking them of they decided to give in and walk around the shops. Am I being unreasonable using reins as I hadn't used reins on them before?

OP posts:
Utterlylostandneedtogo · 30/12/2012 20:48

Yanbu it keeps them safe. I found the little backpacks better though.

Sirzy · 30/12/2012 20:49

Why would it be unreasonable to use something which keeps them safe?

BigShinyBaubles · 30/12/2012 20:49

I used reins when my 3 were little not at the same time though!!
Some parents hate them some love them.
Good luck Xmas Smile

Sirzy · 30/12/2012 20:49

I agree that the backpacks are better!

DomesticCEO · 30/12/2012 20:50

My boys were a nightmare on reins - found the little life backpack much better!

pointedlynoresolutions · 30/12/2012 20:50

I used reins on my DDs when they were that age - taught them that if they wanted to walk independently they had to stay with me. It didn't take very long at all, they were a useful teaching tool.

peaceandlovebunny · 30/12/2012 20:50

jolly good idea if it keeps them safe.

EcoLady · 30/12/2012 20:52

Reins are fab! Cheap, small and easy to pack in your bag or pocket to keep handy, and they keep the DCs safe. Plus you can just hook your arm through when you need to use your hands.

My DCs reins have been quite literally around the world as they went between 3 families with relatives in very far off places.

SnookieSnickers · 30/12/2012 20:54

YANBU, I think they're brilliant.

AlwaysHoldingOnToStarbug · 30/12/2012 20:54

I used wrist straps on my twins when they were small till they learned not to run off. It's bad enough if you have one running off, but when there's two and they go in different directions!

It didn't take my two long to learn to walk nicely holding my hand.

Original poster
JoeParks · 30/12/2012 20:56

Glad I made the right decision how long did you use them for?

OP posts:
GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 30/12/2012 20:56

My DD was a bolter as a toddler, my DS is not. If I'd had DS first I would probably have thought reins were pointless. They are very useful for little ones who run away and having two toddlers to keep safe I'd say they are ideal.

Bogeyface · 30/12/2012 20:57

Why not just put them on a lead and have done? Or put them in a crate at night to sleep?! Wink :o:o

Sorry :o I just got in there before someone else did!

All of my 6 have used reins and they were a godsend, and none of them have taken to pissing up lamposts, at least, not to my knowledge :o

BlueberryHill · 30/12/2012 20:58

I do it with my twins, I think its madness not too. I have been in the situation, without reins, one legged it and I couldn't grab the other one quickly enough to get after that one.

ShowOfHands · 30/12/2012 20:58

MN is v pro reins. And with good reason. I never needed them with dd as she was a biddable child. Has never even crossed her mind to run off in a public place.

DS is a bloody nightmare. He bolts, climbs, dashes and scarpers. I still can't quite bring myself to use reins though. I just don't like them. I don't judge other people using them though. In fact I envy them a bit. I just can't use them myself.

apostropheuse · 30/12/2012 21:00

Reins are great. They help stop children running off and getting lost and getting hit by cars. This is a good thing.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 30/12/2012 21:02

Showy you really should - they are liberating!

Not everywhere, but in some instances they are a godsend.

Arithmeticulous · 30/12/2012 21:03

Reins are fine as long as you don't start wearing roller skates. However tempting, do not cross that line Grin

Sirzy · 30/12/2012 21:06

Ds was 3 in November and I can't remember the last time we needed them. I still have them available though incase he is messing and I can threaten to use them!

Fozzleyplum · 30/12/2012 21:07

My DS2 was a bolter - very adventurous and impulsive and oblivious to danger if he saw something that interested him.

I put him on reins when he was a young toddler, then progressed to a wrist strap when an older toddler. I carried the wrist strap round with me for a long time after he stopped wearing it, as a threat that if he ever showed signs of bolting, it would go straight back on. There's a fair chance that if I hadn't used it, I wouldn't still have him.

I wish more parents would use them, but they seemed to go out of fashion for a while and I did get one or two odd looks, which I ignored.

LaCiccolina · 30/12/2012 21:07

I use reins on dd whose 2. I cannot fathom why others don't. Particularly when near busy roads. It's just nuts. U cannot know where they are going or stop them falling over. I'm perplexed why people don't use them.

Original poster
JoeParks · 30/12/2012 21:10

My twins are 3 how long do you think I should use them for?

OP posts:
Arion · 30/12/2012 21:11

I use reins but find the little life backpack even better. The hand loop is big enough to slide up my arm to about my elbow, so I can push it up, have my hand free to hold DS's hand and have the comfort of knowing if he manages to slip his hand free, he's not going to go very far.

rubbishonlineshopper · 30/12/2012 21:12

GrinGrinGrin Arithmeticulous! I've got twins too & I like the idea of this - tee hee!

Original poster
JoeParks · 30/12/2012 21:13

Where do you get the back packs from?

OP posts: