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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hate reins for kids?

196 replies

lulamae · 28/06/2007 16:22

I almost choked on my lentil goulash when dh suggested buying kiddy reins for dd as she's now walking and beginning to enjoy her freedom. I do hope he was trying to wind me up.. Imho they are for lazy parents who could'nt be arsed chasing after naturally exuberant kids.....

I am aware that many parents are afraid of losing their kids.....but surely this is taking things to extremes. Apparently my MIL used them on dh, but she's an overweight control freak. I rest my case.

OP posts:
mummymagic · 28/06/2007 20:17

I had never even considered reins (didn't realise they were so widespread, I can't remember the last time I saw a kid on them)but after reading all these threads they are starting to sound like a pretty good idea!

I don't understand though, surely if the kid wants to go one way and you pull on the reins, they will just fall over (obv I get that this is better than being under a car). And if they sit down and pull a tantrum and refuse to walk, what then? I am not tall enough to dangle them along Or is it more of a punishment/deterrent thing - i WILL yank you the other way if you don't follow me?

Also, what is the backpack thing?

mummymagic · 28/06/2007 20:17

reading all these posts I mean...

j20baby · 28/06/2007 20:17

come on Lulamae, own up, are you a namechanger? who are you really??

j20baby · 28/06/2007 20:18

this is the only thread she's done, me thinks your trying to get peoples backs up!

nightowl · 28/06/2007 20:44

she's been posting since march.

anyway, i thought we were doing toddler racing now?

j20baby · 28/06/2007 20:54

whoops ok, sorry

not got a toddler, what about a cat?

nightowl · 28/06/2007 20:59

yep, that'll do.

j20baby · 28/06/2007 21:00

ok, i will use my grey one, she's always running off and she's fast!

we all lined up?

j20baby · 28/06/2007 21:04

oh dear, am going to have to bow out, my bed is calling me, have fun y'all.

dassie · 28/06/2007 21:05

Actually, dh and I were talking last night about how similar dogs and babies are

eg when you point at something they look at your finger, not what your pointing at (admittedly ds is 4 months)

  • so being 'on a lead' is just another example!
bran · 28/06/2007 21:05

mummymagic, you can get backpacks that have a rein attached, or my ds had a soft toy one, he has a monkey but they also do others, puppy, cow etc.

nightowl · 28/06/2007 21:06

no hang on that's not fair. my toddler is fast but she cant outrun the cat (or she would have no fur by now)

i'll use my white cat, she's fast, vicious and sneaky.

nightowl · 28/06/2007 21:08

and off to bed she goes, just scared of being beaten clearly!

mummymagic · 28/06/2007 21:45

Ooh, the backpack is good. Then she carries nappies, bottles, my purse, mobile etc. Make her useful (seeing as she still isn't doing the washing up or making tea...)

LoveAngel · 28/06/2007 22:00

(Yawn). Don't like reins? Don't ahem (fucking well!) ahem use them then! Your kid has got all that 'tasty' lentil goulash to eat up anyhow...sure that will keep the poor little blighter busy.

Justaboutmanaging · 28/06/2007 22:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LazyLine · 28/06/2007 22:14

Well, I ONLY have one DS (22 months) and I would not be without the reins. He likes nothing more than to run out into the road (or into gardens, building sites etc etc) and despises holding hands. He is very very quick and I'm not sure how me not being necessarily able to stop him getting squashed by a car means that I am lazy?

It's all nice when your child is all dainty and carryable, but when you have a tank of a boy who won't hold hands, you may think again.

Nobbins.

bran · 28/06/2007 22:17

I don't think you could put very much into a backpack and still expect a toddler to willingly wear it mummymagic. Plus wouldn't it damage their back and shoulders? I don't carry that much in my handbag (purse, address book, nappy, a few wipes, couple of toy cars, a snack) and it gives me shoulder ache.

Aitch · 28/06/2007 22:23

can i get a nappy, wipes, snack and a lipstick into that monkey bag, d'you think? it looks great. dd (18months) shouts for her reins to go on, btw, she really likes them. i do hold her hand as well, but as someone pointed out it is really sore to have your arm up for ages. dd's good, though, sticks close most of the time. afaic, the reins mean i don't have to take the buggy everywhere which can only be a good thing as all the walking gets her knackered.

mummymagic · 28/06/2007 22:27

damn

fortyplus · 28/06/2007 22:32

'I simply do not wish to treat my child like a dog.' How bizarre - you obviously lack imagination. When I took my children out with a wrist strap I turned it into a game by saying that I was their dog!

Someone on mn was 12 years old and saw a bus run over a child's head.

So much better than being seen out on reins, obviously...

Aitch · 28/06/2007 22:41

no seriously, what could i put in that monkey bag? i'm thinking of getting one, but only if it's big enough to take a nappy.

ladymariner · 28/06/2007 22:43

My dad absolutely idolises my ds, ds walks on water as far as grandad is concerned, and they used to go for walks round the village, down to feed the ducks, then to the shop for sweets then to sit on a bench and watch the world go by. This was a source of total delight to both and only possible because dad put ds on reins for ds's safety. I find the OP offensive and sad and suggest she shuts up and gets a reality check!!!

mummymagic · 28/06/2007 22:44

Didn't you read Bran's post, Aitch? Our dream of letting the babes do all the work is a distant one...

Aitch · 28/06/2007 22:50

pah, you wanted a purse and a mobile in there you derelict parent. i just want a lippy.