Do you judge parents with toddlers on reins?

[Strategist]

You ARE being unreasonable = no
You AREN'T being unreasonable = yes

(Personally I use reins in crowds, but my husband reckons most people judge us. I'm interested to see.)

Reins are out of fashion but they are brilliant. I found they let my DC walk ‘independently’ from such a young age with no face planting the ground - you can just whizz them up in the air. Those arm leashes are ridiculous though.

No.

I may be biased, I had to and still do parent the flash.

He was always on reigns walking along pavements near roads or busy shopping areas. Turn your back for a second he'd be gone, like a greyhound after a rabbit.

I'd say by 8 he's grown out of it, but we still do occasionally have the odd dissapearing act 🤦🏻‍♀️

I have one of those backpacks with a rein on for my three year old. I want to keep him as safe as I can. It takes one second of bad judgement to lose your child.

I was on a Tram recently and watched in horror as a kid of around two bolted away from his parents and ran alongside the track. He was seconds from being under the tram. His dad was a big bloke and was struggling to chase him - his mum stood in shock and screamed. They were very lucky this time it could have a different outcome.

Of course not. My son is an adult now and severely autistic. I always kept him on reins when he was little. Nowadays he has to have two people to take him out. I wouldn’t judge because some kids are runners and I’d rather they were safe.

I used backpacks with straps when my dc were toddlers, was only ever given praise by others.
Keeping your dc safe is just sensible.

No.

I remember DS dad referring to reins as a dog lead... honestly some kids need reins!

I actually never used them with DS I would have if needed though.

I think in a situation where you’re out and about in a busy area or near traffic yes. My youngest was a runner and I had 4 kids 2 older boys and 2 little ones so hands were full I took the double buggy the majority of outings but reins were great if one wanted to walk I could use reins and my 4 year old would hold his 10 year old brothers hand or the buggy.

I got judged all the time, a southerner in Lancashire with a posh accent and her toddler on reins. Everything from robust northern wit to downright sniping comments about ‘nice dog’
When my child was two, James Bulger was murdered. Suddenly reins sold out and all the stupid judging of someone else’s parenting choices just stopped. Overnight.
Fuck ‘em. Keep your child safe.

Wtaf? God no! More likely to judge those without them! They save kids lives!

I got reins for Dd after she ran gleefully across a road with not a glance anywhere. Luckily, there were no cars but it frightened the life out of me and didn't give a shit if anyone judged me. Her safety was my priority.
I used to have actual nightmares about her getting run over. Reins probably save lives.

I see them as evidence of good parenting. A child wearing reins means the parent is allowing them the freedom to walk rather than keeping them strapped into in a pushchair, because if you have a true bolter those are your options.

I judge them as competent, sensible, caring parents.
ive not voted as I really didn’t understand your voting.

Reins are great! With some children who forget instructions near roads it’s massively helpful in keeping them alive.

I’m always glad to see a child in reins, (unless the parent was yanking them about, which I have never seen.)

No!!! Dss had reins as a toddler. It was reassurance to us that he wouldn't step into the road or run off and get lost.

Oh, I do, I do. I'm even more judgy about parents who teach their children to swim, won't let them play in the road, put a limiter on upstairs windows, and insist on seat belts.

They are all spoilsports and control freaks.

Not judge... but raise an eyebrow. Then my 14mo started to walk. A whole other ballgame. Totally get it!!

No! We bought some for our DD who didn’t need them at all, our DS, who is a year old, definitely does need them!

Every time I see something about reins I always think of MrsPresley.
She must have saved a few lives with her openness.

No judgment from me. I don’t know if that random child has an SEN or if they are just wild and run at first sight of freedom. Not everyone gets quiet children that stay close to parents.

I used to before I had a child. Never used them but I totally understand why you would need them. Toddlers are absolutely batshit,

I am baffled as to why anyone would have any issue with the use of reins.

So practical.

Holding hands all the time can be difficult if you are tall. Small hands slip out of yours, especially when wearing mittens. You can do things like undo your purse or rummage for a tissue while holding on to reins, much harder when holding hands.

Why does anyone have a problem with reins?

Why would I judge someone trying to keep their child safe?

Yes, I think she has.

I agree, it also stops them being a nuisance running wild.

Mot at all. Mine was a bolter and hated holding my hand. She still is a bit but does listen when I say don’t run now thankfully. I don’t really need to use it now and it was a short phase. She learned if she didn’t listen she went on the reins