Using reins on my twins

[JoeParks]

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?

[FadBook]

mrspriestly I use a back pack thing after I read your thread some time ago. My dd was only months old when I read it but I remember thinking then, that I would use them (despite me not necessarily liking the idea of "walking" my dd).

Dd is 17 months old, and we use them because of you. She's not even a bolter, but I honestly believe safety first before an opinion on how something looks. I'm really sorry that this Christmas has been tough for you- I hope that you can find a bit more peace knowing that several people on this thread have changed their views because of your tragic loss. Much love

[Glittertwins]

YANBU, there is a lot of traffic and things to look at that a small child will dash over and look at. It's one of the harder things I found with twins because we had two they just didnt understand.
We used reins, I had the long twin ones that allegedly work well clipped to the belt although I didn't use that bit. They were great when one was toddling and the other not ready as the strap was so long I could easily control buggy at the same time as having her safe.

[LittleMachine]

YADNBU. There have been times I have stood at my nursery door, feeling sick as I've watched children from my class have very near misses in the road when they've run away from their parents.
I have spoken at length with all my classes about 'staying with your grown up', but I teach a lot of very lively 3 year olds...
I wish more of our parents used reins.

[theodorakisses]

I don't get the dogs on lead thing. About a trillion threads a year on mn are people moaning about dogs running free.

Mrs Presley, I can't say anything worthy but I will never forget you.

[DozyDuck]

DS (ASD) has a very expensive crelling walking harness, and he's 6! I'm not risking my child.

[blackeyedsusan]

oh and i have had a few rope burn type grazes on my thighs as i have clipped him to my thighs when paying for shopping in the supermarket. he still throws himself on the floor and has a paddy but at least it is the floor near my feet and not under a car in the carpark...

and they keep him in the shopping trolley when the supermarket's straps have broken, and they keep him in the car seat when he is trying to escape.

he is still alive and well... despite his seeming death wish...

[blackeyedsusan]

I have looked at the local dog owners with their dog walking to heel on its lead with envy as ds dangled off his straps and refused to walk, sometimes kicking and screaming, often in the middle of the crossing in front of school with all the parents and head teacher looking on. he is alive to tell the tale though. his bolting tendancies and local drivers ignoring the crossing completely would not make for a happy outcome.

[Fozzleyplum]

Mrs Presley, I have just read your posts and your previous thread - I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'd like to bet that, by sharing your experience, you have already saved a child (or children). I really wish more parents would use reins and straps, even on young children who are usually reliable.

[Bearfrills]

Just wanted to add, the backpack ones have a loop in the end of the 'leash' bit. I usually slip my wrist through the loop while I'm pushing DD's buggy so DS walks alongside holding onto the buggy but if he tries to bolt the 'leash' stops him getting too far away.

[Bearfrills]

I always use my reins for 3yo DS, we have the backpack ones. The only times he has them off is when we're in the indoor shopping centre and when we're on the street his nursery is on (very quiet, very long straight road with traffic calming measures and a lollipop man at each end), he is always told 'if you go past the end of the pushchair, you go back on your reins'. I've been using this road and the shopping centre to teach him to walk next to me sensibly without running off but he is still very much a bolter, forgets instructions and has zero sense of danger. Even when he is off the reins I leave the backpack on his though because it can be easily grabbed if he does bolt.

We have had comments about them, both positive and negative. The positive comments are usually about what a good idea they are and loads of people ask where to buy a backpack from. The negative comments are usually about him being a person not a dog and that he'll never learn to walk sensibly without them - which to me is like saying you'll never learn not to fall off a cliff unless you go running right along the edge of one. We've got a set for 16mo DD which she uses now and then when she fancies a totter about the shops.

The dog comments are not helped by DS occasionally pretending to be a dog complete with barking, wagging his tail (which is so cute!), and enthusiastic sniffing

Stuff any negative comments though. I'd rather be judged than grieving.

[JoeParks]

I know how you feel I had one in each hand doing it at the same time today for about 40 minuets on several occasions, they relished I wasn't giving in and persuaded them to stop by buying them a toy. All I can say is keep persisting as I am.

[Meglet]

Yanbu.

I used the little life back packs until mine were 4.

And I used to say walkies .

[SquinkiesRule]

I used them on two of my three who were bolters. Especially in busy places and at the till in shops where they'd wait for me to get both hands busy and make a dash for it.
I last used them on Dd when she was nearly 4. She had the best ones I'd seen, a monkey backpack and I held onto the tail, it had a loop to put over my wrist, and she still held my hand while using it, until she'd get the opportunity to try and bolt, ha no chance when I had monkey by the tail.

[NotGeoffVader]

I use reins on my toddler (nearly 2). Today she decided to 'dangle' from them quite a lot whilst we were shopping. So I just stopped until she got up. Later on she decided she didn't want to walk anywhere, so I ended up dragging her (for about 30 seconds) along the floor (in a shop, clean, and safe). She thought it was funny.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

MrsPresley I used reins on both my DC and when I read your post I'm glad I did.
All this about "they look like dogs on a lead" pales into insignificance when you think of the alternative.

My own story (and it gave me a fright, my DD too)
I'd driven to the school to pick DS up (we usually walked, DD -who was 2.6 / 3yo- on her reins)
I let DD out the car (onto the pavement)and she walked round the back of the car, I was doing something in the boot.
I said "Go back on the pavement DD"
So she headed to the pavement on the other side of the road.

There was a lorry that stopped thankfully, I grabbed her.

It was a split second, could've gone the other way. .

So yes, I'm a fan on reins.

[JoeParks]

Just been looking at the back packs and wrist straps don't know whether to order some and give them a try as well.

[HollaAtMeSanta]

Twins on reins! Awesome. If it snows this winter you can get yourself a sleigh and have them pull it like huskies.

YANBU. I don't know why reins stopped being mainstream. Most people now seem to wedge children into buggies instead, which is a bit of a shame - I see some enormous kids (5yo size, easily) in buggies round my way.

[minesapintofwine]

Sorry mrs presley posted under the first page. Am so sorry for your loss

[minesapintofwine]

My twins are 11 months one is only just walking and I have been pricing up those backpack reins for ages. I also have a playpen glorified toy box. I have done ff and cc. They both nap on me when I can't be arsed to walk up the stairs. I regularly lie on the sofa after tea whilst dh slave brings me cups of tea and dts play bang the letterbox and scare passersby.Shoot me I'm a bad mum!

Op-reins reign imo. (plus the little backpacks with animals are sooo cute)

[PeppermintCreams]

I used the Little Life backpack reins with DS. Only stopped using them with him when he started the nursery class at school so around 3.5 years? Fantastic bit of kit.

[goldenlula]

I have used them on both ds' and now use them on dd, although she is great at hand holding I feel happier with that added security.

[thebody]

Mrs Presley, just thoughts,prayers and hugs.

I used reigns after Jamie bugler was taken and killed. My boys were the same age range, 2 and 3 at the time and typical wanderers.

Just keep them safe.

[ChippingInLovesChristmasLights]

I wish my friend would use them, she has an adorable DS (25 months) who has been brought up so far never hearing the word 'no' - he has no boundaries at all so does not understand to stay with you, will not hold hands and just runs off. They spend a lot of time in the town centre and I fear for his safety :( (especially as she now has a 2 month old DS as well so DS1 is no longer her sole focus when out & about).

MrsPresley - I am so very sorry for your loss. I lost my Grandad 28 years ago tomorrow, in some ways it feels like only a short time ago and in other ways a very very long time ago. I still miss him so very much, so can only imagine how much you must miss your DS :(