Toddler reins and evil looks?

[SinkGirl]

Took twins to the park this morning with DH. They both wore backpacks with reins attached. Both boys have ASD, one also has a visual impairment and other issues. They are both fascinated by moving cars and will suddenly run for the road, they have no danger awareness. They also both tried to throw themselves into the lake a few times so the reins really came in handy! I have a back problem and other issues so it means I can stop them getting hurt without too much chasing / bending.

I had so many horrible looks from other parents (and especially dog walkers actually) - is it really so awful to use them? It keeps them safe so for me it’s a no brainier but I’m surprised by how much it seems to offend people.

We lived on a very busy rural road when I was growing up, and the garden couldn’t be fenced off due to access rights, so my parents drove a stake into the ground and attached a rope and then tethered me to the other end. That way I had free roaming of the entire garden but couldn’t get on to the road. They got the idea from a neighbour who kept goats 😂 Unfortunately, it didn’t work because I managed to undo the knots. Other than that, I think it was genius!

I'm old (well, 52), when we were kids everyone used them. I remember there being a revival after James Bulger's death. I'm not a parent, but I certainly would use them. Better reins than achild be run over or abducted.

3out

I think that if Tom and Barbara Good had had children they might have adopted a similar parenting technique ;)

Honestly I’m not imagining it.

When you have twins you get used to people staring at you / making comments every time you leave the bloody house, but they’re usually very friendly, nice looks. Yesterday was completely different, made me feel awful, but everyone here is right - they’re extremely safe and safer than not using them, and strangers opinions aren’t relevant really.

Ok.

Sod ‘em, then

I overheard a teenager making a snarky comment about a woman using reins on her two wee ones in the supermarket the other day. The woman may not have clocked the comment, because I don't think they had very good English, but they definitely clocked the look.

I actually did turn around and comment to the teenager in turn, saying that was far more preferable to the child that had just run screaming up the aisle damned near bowling over an elderly person, just about being mown down by a trolley, with parent ineffectually wittering and reproaching in the toddlers wake. . .

I think they’re fab inventions!

We had one of those cheap wrist strap things for my eldest when he was little (he’s now nearly 8!) but barely needed it as he was a lazy obedient little bean 🤣 my daughter (18 months) is an unholy terror and will run whilst shrieking with pure glee towards every moving vehicle, road, lake etc.

Spirited they call her 🤣

I’ve just bought her a very cute butterfly backpack with reigns on! It’s the only way I can keep her safe whilst out of the pram in all honesty, ignore people they like to judge what they don’t understand x

What’s the difference between reins and buggy straps? Is it lazy to use a safety harness in a buggy when I should just teach my kid to sit carefully?

I used reins with all of my kids. I never received any comments but I know some people do. I think they a a great idea they keep your child safe and many times my child my have tripped over and i was able to stop them falling flat on their face because they were wearing reins.
We have just been to disneyworld and i took wrist reins for my kids to use at night in the crowds and I'm very glad I did!