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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder if people actually use reigns on a 4 year old?

98 replies

Thefitfatty · 31/05/2016 13:39

Not thread about a thread, but just wondering for the whole Cincinnati zoo incident if people actually do put their 4 year olds in reigns?

My 4 year DS is 21kgs and 118 cm's tall. If I put reigns on him and he really decided to go for it I'd probably end up flat on my face.

I tried reigns on him when he was almost 3 and I had to take him DD (less then 1 at the time) through the airport myself and he flopped down onto the ground on his tummy and refused to get up. I end up having to drag him a few feet till I could put DD back in her pram and pick up our bags from the carousel. I felt like an absolute asshole and decided never to use them again!

I just can't imagine putting him in them now anymore then I would put him in pram. Confused

OP posts:
ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 31/05/2016 13:48

I did, I had to, one of my dc was a bolter and could disappear within 5 seconds.

I got a lot of negative reactions when using them, but it was that or we would have to stay in all the time.

I'm not going to comment about the whole zoo thing though, I wasn't there so don't feel qualified to comment.

Original poster
Thefitfatty · 31/05/2016 13:49

But did he not throw a tantrum every time?

OP posts:
MeAndMy3LovelyBoys · 31/05/2016 13:50

No and I won't start using them just because people think I "should do".

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 31/05/2016 13:50

If my four year old was a bolter I would use reins of course!

Fortunately DD was beautifully well behaved in that respect , so I didn't need to.

Lunar1 · 31/05/2016 13:53

I would have if one of mine was likely to bolt.

CMOTDibbler · 31/05/2016 13:53

I would put a 4 year old in reins if they didn't hold hands nicely or stay with me in places like that. I don't think I did after 3, but I only have one child to worry about - if I had more it would have been a backpack and lead for longer I expect.

Thurlow · 31/05/2016 13:53

I can't say I've seen anyone using them with an older child, but if your child is a bolter than sod it, anything that keeps them safe. Plus 4+ is probably an age where they can get embarrassed by things and it might help teach them not to bolt so much.

I've not read that thread though, were people suggesting that all 4yo's be in reigns, or just know bolters?

DixieNormas · 31/05/2016 13:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YoureSoSlyButSoAmI · 31/05/2016 13:59

Yes I used reins and think more people should.

OohMavis · 31/05/2016 13:59

Depends on the kid, doesn't it?

My son for instance, at 4 years old, would have asked to go in the water in the enclosure too, it looks amazing fun. But once I'd said no he'd have accepted that quite happily and diverted his attention elsewhere without a fuss. Never had to even consider using reins.

And then I've known other four year olds who weren't as 'reasonable', who still bolted away from their parents, who were much more impulsive. And their parents used reins. Quite rightly.

lazyjournalistsbogoff · 31/05/2016 14:02

I used with my 3.5 yo when I was pregnant as I couldn't run after her when she wondered too far away. Most of the time it was used as a threat if she didn't stay beside me. Don't see anything wrong with using them.

NeedACleverNN · 31/05/2016 14:06

Depends on the child.

Dd is 3 and has never run off. She walks nicely next to me and holds hands as soon as I ask.

Ds is only 15 months and not yet walking but I've got a feeling he's going to be a bolter. If he does I will not think twice at putting reins on him. Even if he was 6 years old.

Until he understands stop running off and I know he understands the dangers around him, reins are important

Owllady · 31/05/2016 14:09

One of mine was a bolted and I used a wrist strap until a few years ago (he's 9!) In places I didn't trust him. I can't say I noticed anyone looking at us but I have a child with severe disabilities, so I'm immune to staring anyway Hmm

megletthesecond · 31/05/2016 14:10

Yes I did. DD was a bolter and had a tendency to go rogue.

Owllady · 31/05/2016 14:10

Oh and btw I think what happened at the zoo was an accident and yes it's sad but I'm sure all of us have messed up at some point. The mother needs to be left alone imo

bushtailadventures · 31/05/2016 14:12

Many years ago, when DS was little, I used reins on him all the time, almost until he started school. He could disappear in seconds and had been used to them from an early age so never made a fuss.

I have to say that this was just after Jamie Bulger, which made me worry a lot more too.

honkinghaddock · 31/05/2016 14:12

I did. Still do (sn). He didn't want them but I knew he wouldn't be safe without them for a long time and now he just accepts them. Anyone who thinks it is 'wrong' to use them is ignorant.

AnotherUsernameBitesTheDust · 31/05/2016 14:13

I did with one of my DSs till he was nearly 8. He has ASD and MLD and after an incident where he ran into a main road that was luckily empty at the time I put him on a wrist strap.

I did get looks off people despite it being obvious from his school uniform that he attended the local special school (the looks were mainly from parents from the mainstream school in the same road) I didn't care - I was keeping him safe.

whathaveiforgottentoday · 31/05/2016 14:34

I did as I had a Bolter. Used wrist straps when she was 4 up until she figured out how to undo it. Then I find I would be just holding the strap with no child attached. Never needed to use it with dd2 though.

gamerchick · 31/05/2016 14:36

I did, I also used a buggy until he was 6.

Hairyspiderinyourunderwear · 31/05/2016 14:44

I used a wrist strap with my older bolter. I also stuck him in his brother's buggy at times.

OTheHugeManatee · 31/05/2016 15:03

It's reins, not 'reigns'.

As you were Grin

ALemonyPea · 31/05/2016 15:05

I did, DS2 was a bolster. I used the little life backpack rather than traditional reins though.

Aeroflotgirl · 31/05/2016 15:05

Yes I do, my 4 year old is a bolter, and finds it funny to run off. Better safe than sorry.

ALemonyPea · 31/05/2016 15:06

Bolter, not bolster, he wasn't a cushion Hmm