My MIL just bought my baby a set of reigns and I am horrified. What to do?

[BumblBeee]

I think they are horrid?!

[LilianGish]

Actually I think having a toddler is a bit like having dog especially if you take them out near traffic - except slightly harder to train! Couldn't have managed without mine when taking dd out walking in the streets round our apartment in Paris. Actually quite a few French asked me where I got them - I don't think they have them in France.

[MamaG]

just weirdy naily and weirdy bumbly don't like the sensible reins

[imaginewittynamehere]

btw dd loves hers - she passes them to me from the car & holds out her arms. Plus if feeling mischevious she goes all mission impossible & dives so that she can dangle from them

[Gitch]

actually, imo it's that people use their buggies too much, not that you don't get out enough. i always wanted dd EXHAUSTED before bedtime so minimised buggy time.

[booge]

Used some on dd today and she trotted on nicely in front Much better that having to carry her kicking and screaming back when she legs it.

[BumblBeee]

Ha Ha! You are all mmaking me laugh now

[IndigoViolet]

Who's Bubba?

[nailpolish]

i guess i was lucky and had 2 girls who walked to heel

[scottishmummy]

so dont use them them BumblBeee! they work for me i have these reins

i find them invaluable
wee one get to walk about, but im at hand

[Gitch]

it's bumbly's dh... no wonder she's a bit , getting reins from Mil.

[Niecie]

I don't have a problem with them in principle but I didn't use them much as both of my two thought it was a good wheeze to dangle from them and use them as a swing.

I used to (try to) use them when we lived in a small town with fairly narrow pavements and no pedestrian area - being able to walk without them was not an option with large trucks going passed the pavement every few minutes.

Why would your DD be scarred for life - it is no different from being strapped in a pushchair, highchair or car seat is it? In fact it is better as she thinks she is getting a bit of freedom.

Agree with MamaG about the wrist strap ones though - they just look plain uncomfortable.

[imaginewittynamehere]

I'm with Glitch - the more walking the better & reins allow me to let her walk almost anywhere - not just "safe" areas - cue one tired little girl at bed time

[FloriaTosca]

My lo is only 4 months but he will be getting reins on as soon as he can walk...Besides stopping LOs running under buses on the days they wont hold your hand, they save so many grazed knees when Los are not steady on their feet or when they are simply distracted when walking on uneven pavements! But if you hate them that much give them away.

[BumblBeee]

FYI my baby is 17 months. I tend to push her to the park then let her walk around there.

[claireybee]

I find the reins invaluable, especially when walking along busy road/in crowded places/when getting the bus etc. dd loves them too and puts them on herself when she wants to go out!

[Gitch]

i have one of these the ladybird one. it's actually more like a lead than anything else, but is long and allows a bit of freedom. obviously it's best to encourage them to hold your hand too.

[niceglasses]

Really, you're horrified?

Just tuck em away in a cupboard or give em away.

[imaginewittynamehere]

ButBumblbee half the point with toddlers is walking in different places & exploring - taking her to the park for exercise sounds more like treating her like a dog than using reins if you ask me...

[BumblBeee]

Oops must run to post office now.

I give up, you rein types win.

Thanks for the posts.

xxxxx

[ThePettyandIllinformedGoat]

there hasn't been a good rein fight for ages. i didnt use them but i only have one and just legged it after her when she went awol.

[TheMadHouse]

Oh I have a little rucksack with a rein type attatchment. There is only 15 months between my two and I need the security of knowing where they are.

DS2 still wears his little bag jys without the attachment

[bozza]

It is entirely up to you whether you use them or not. I used them with both my two when they first started walking to places. DD used to be on them to walk to DS's school twice a day. And TBH I doubt either of my children can remember having them. DD is 3 1/2 and a few months ago (September?) I gave her buggy to a neighbour who's DH had run over their buggy. Anyway the neighbour found the reins in the shopping basket and returned them. DD was most disgusted "I'm a big girl now".

[Gitch]

plus the great thing about the little rucksack is that you can jam a nappy and some wipes in there too...

[PixelHerder]

It was around 17 months that my DD realised she could get out of the pram and walk, so became a lot more restless if she had been in there a while - leading to tantrums if she wasn't allowed.

You may be glad of reins if it's an alternative to pram tantrum or panic when they have legged it down the umpteenth aisle and are hiding behind the clothes.

I find that using reins is a good intermediate solution - I actually tie her to the pram so she can't run off and I've got my hands free to shop (is that bad?? )

[scottishmummy]

Rein fight what with hairrein pulling and stuff