Does anyone on here actually think that reins on children are the work of the devil?

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

If so, why? I'm genuinely curious.

Also, so far as I know there hasn't been a bunfight about this yet, so potentially a good Friday topic

"On some toddlers, reins are an essential to preserving the child's life and the parents' sanity."
Exactly that. I wish I had them for my youngest charge when I started, he was 3 and a bolter. Along with his siblings who were also really bad for walking anywhere back when I first started, our trips out were limited to places I could let him bolt between the car and venue safely!

I do find it annoying when they are suggested or children who are fine without them though. My 2.5yo charge has been fine and very aware of roads/crossings since she started walking at 12/13mo, just very lucky that it is her nature not to bolt! Yet I've had people telling me I should put reins on her on the pavement. Why?!

I've always thought they don't look all that lovely but who gives a shit if they save lives? Never used them with my DC but they really weren't bolters. If they had been, I absolutely would have. As for people who get all sniffy and make 'dog leads' comments, they clearly don't have enough to worry about.

For some toddlers they are indispensible, for others totally unnecessary. I think if you have the second type of toddler you might struggle to imagine a use for them.

I was at park with DD (2yo) and this little boy, about the same age came up to me and gave me a huge hug which was really sweet. I got chating to his mum about how lovely and confident he was, partly because DD is really shy and the contrast was incredible. I then had to walk to the bench to give something to DP who was sitting there so I left DD standing there while I moved 3 metres away. DD was completely frozen in place because I had left her on her own, while the little boy run after me, overtook me and was off. I was right behind him and I still struggled to catch up. He was incredibly fast, while DD struggles to do a slow jog at the best of times. If he was mine he would be on a lunge line, there is no way I could cope otherwise!

To people who think putting a child in reins is treating them like a dog, I say: what's wrong with treating your child like a dog?

My pooch gets home-cooked meals, regular walks, lots of fuss and attention and all the squeaky toys his little doggy soul could desire.

If I ever have kids, I'll apply the same methods. Although I'd probably draw the line at getting my kids microchipped

My "bolter" (DD) is what can be described as a "free spirit"!

When she was 2 I was in the play centre at Schipol airport with her and DS who is 4 years older than her. Crappiest design ever - 2 open doors. NO parent can cover 2 at once. Anyhoo, she decided it would be great fun to run out and basically scarper in the middle of Schipol

She was gone in an instant - I didn't stand a chance - and I had my eye on her the whole time in the play centre. I honestly thought I would never see DD again, and I don't panic easily. Grabbed DS and went to the nearest information desk and was busy describing her when a lovely KLM lady came walking walking towards us with DD in her arms. Thankfully she had clocked that a barefoot (told you, free spirit) 2 year old unaccompanied on a moving floor thing would probably be missed.

DD of course thought this was the best game ever, but I wish to hell I'd had my reins with me that day. Of course they learn how to walk safely beside roads in time (we all did after all) so imo they're a no brainer, especially with kids like my DD.

My mother is rather odd about reins and very negative about them. I personally wouldn't leave my children in the care of someone who refused to use them and do get a bit judgy about people who don't i think they are putting appearences above saftey and yes I think they are a bit piss poor.

but then again I'm the parent of a child whose life was put on hold by a 4 month ICU stay followed by about 60 odd operations and a grand total of 6 years in hospital spread when you add it all up she's 20 now and just about to go back into hospital for yet another one and its likely to be about a 6 month recovery period.

Reins are there to stop bolters from getting run over. I use mine on my 2yo always as the chance of her running off is very high!

I actually like to see reins being used, rather than small children walking behind or too far in front of parents near hazardous roads-That's what i'm judgey about.

Can you still buy the leather ones with lambs on the front of t,hem?

For very little ones they are great, saved losing front teeth when tripping on more than one occasion! DS1 was a very young walker and wanted to walk everywhere so it was much safer as he wouldn't have had any understanding about road safety and it would have been hard to walk holding his hand where he was so little.

Even when I had no kids it seemed a complete no brai er that reins for a short time were essential kid kit, like nappies.

It continually amazes me that some think otherwise.

Brainer...

Can you still buy the leather ones with lambs on the front of t,hem?

Yes I believe clippersafe make them they just don't have lambs on anymore

www.amazon.co.uk/Clippasafe-Premium-Adjustable-Leather-Harness/dp/B000L0TVRC/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1369415148&sr=1-1&keywords=Leather+toddler+reins

Also available in navy but are more expensive

..(following on from my earlier post)..thinking about this, maybe it WOULD be a good idea to apply dog training methods to toddlers:

--make them do "sit and paw" before giving them their meals
--get them to fetch your slippers
--train them to bite the ankles of intruders
--get them herding sheep
--get them to lie quietly under the seat when travelling on the bus.

Yes, I think I'm on to something here. I feel a book deal coming on. Any other suggestions?

I would sooner see a child wearing reins than under a car/in a river/go missing.

Ds is 3 and hates them with a passion. But there are times he has to wear them. And there are times the threat of them works to get his cooperation.

I like reins because they give a child far more freedom than any other method of restraint.

I had lovely navy leather ones with Winnie the Pooh on used them with Ds aged 11m-2y. Very mobile and no sense at,all hated the buggy.When I was expecting dd I got a little life back pack which I only attached the lead to if he didn't stay close, I cotinued to use this after she was born. By the time he was 3 he was completely dependable and would stay close to the buggy. Never got them out for dd.

Badbribe get them to chase the cat out of the garden and fetch the post/newspaper

I use the back pack thing and I hold her hand. She's so proud of her "bag" she tells everyone when wearing it but we've made it fun to wear (she can put a toy in it before we go out).

I use one because of MNer MrsPriestly's story It stopped dd running in the road the other day when she wriggled free from my hand, she's only 21 months old and I prefer to keep her safe

I'm thinking of buying some for DS. Never needed them with dd as she was so lazy in the pushchair, but DS is constantly crying to get out and run around. I never judged anyone using them when dd was a toddler. They're quite useful aren't they?

As others have said: anyone who can't see the point/ vehemently disagrees with reins hasn't parented a bolter!

However, my DD would lay on the floor and refuse to move as soon as I put them on her, so I had to resort to a pushchair in certain situations.

And if you actually want to get some shopping centre, rather than frantically running round trying to find your child, or dragging them round by the wrist whilst they scream blue murder, then reins are a good idea!

Reins are great in the snow/ice - kept my dd upright many times. Also I bought an extra set on holiday when she was older as they gave me peace of mind when crabbing at the harbour. More freedom than hand holding - what's the problem?

I used them with DS and they were a god send! And I imagine he was more comfortable in them because I'm 6 foot and I don't think walking around with your hand stretched above your head all day is very comfortable.

I have found the one topic on which the entire MN community is united.

Not sure whether to be proud, or to sulk. No, I've decided: sulking.

I think it depends where you are and on your child really. Some children are a lot safer on them if they're inclined to pull away from your hand and bolt away/if you need to momentarily let go they would run away. Also I can see the advantage of them in busy cities.

I used them for a short while with my first DC but he wasn't really a fan. He just used to tug and cry so we stopped using them and just held his hand and he's never ran away. We just didn't bother with DC2 and she's never ran either.

They do look a little odd, I felt odd using them. But I think they can be life savers, literally. I don't really see that many people using them anymore though.

Reins are CHAVVY!