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

[BumblBeee]

I think they are horrid?!

she sat on my knee and ate with her hands, nappyadd

no, I'm sure you wouldn't nailpolish it's interesting isn't it, you get judged for using reins, and someone will judge you for not using reins.

Now my problem is that dd loves her pushchir - using this as a punishment for her not holding hands would be extremely counter productive!!

To encourage her to walk I go out without pushchair so it is not an option& with reins

i think when you have children people judge you no matter what you do sadly

LOL!!!Who mentioned dogs? I prefer for my children not to wear them that's all, maybe I am lucky in that they seemed to get the road safety thing quite early. That seems to be the main point of them.
nailpolish- we never used high chairs or any of the things you mention either. Just not my style- but as you say, live and let live.

My kids love sitting on my knees and eating. I don't like it at all, especially when they both fight to sit on my knees.

having seen friends using reins on their chldren, the reins seema bit short imo - someone shoudl invent extendable ones that you can reel in

I did wonder if they weren't The Done Thing any more, you never see people with them now days.

Mrsruffalo - I've haeard that comment about 'walking the dog' twice when I've been out, once directed at me, once directed at a friend. Reins in Belgium are far less acceptable then in the UK.

i liked wearing reins when i was a child , its kind of a bit like swaddling in that it makes you feel secure. also having something to pull against is a nice feeling. I'm a movement therapist and lots of kids like this feeling. I say try them and if you don't like them then forget them. After all it was a gift that you can accept or decline as you wish.

I don't really see that many people in my part of London with them tbh

I would have gladly used reins, but here in Germany they are completely frowned upon. I think I used them once of DD, did not dare take them out for DS.

Loads of people tutting at us, muttering comments about dogs. Funnily enough, one man spoke really loudly when he heard me speaking English with DD. He was pretty embarrassed when I turned around and answered in perfect German that I would rather put reins on my DD than let her walk in front of a tram.

I gave up after that, it was not worth it. Both DCs learnt at an early age to hold hands, DD used to hold onto the buggy.

cosima ,thats interesting!whats a movement therapist?sounds interesting!

kindersurprise - I've also had negetive comments about using a baby carrier - they lady in question was very surprised when I answered her in dutch.

What age are we taking here. I am just starting to use the ruckscak on DS2 who is 19 months.

DS1 is 2.10 months and is great, no need to restrain, but I used them until he was 2.6 ish. He doesnt really go in the buggy now either. He does sometimes go on his dads shoulder.

I love my trip traps it brings the children to the right height at the table and gives them more freedom rather than less. They are deinatly not in the same league Nailpolish

I hate reins

I also hate cheese with fruit in it

and movement therapist", never meet one though

I loved them, better then what i see now, lo's walking right near the edge of the pavement, mums chatting to each other,me in my car praying the kid don't run out in the road.

We had to go the way of the wrist strap as DS found reins akin to a bungee cord!

Think they are great and wait till little one runs out into the road - you will soon change your mind!

Themadhouse - dd has been using them since she started walking confidently outside - about 13 months - she is now nearly 17 months - I would anticipate using them until she has a bit more sense - about 2 ish I suppose. Most of the time they are a back up & she holds hands too.

DS1 in his belt a few years ago - and my review of it (although rather embarrassingly he was wearing it back to front- it gives a longer rein then. Highly recommended for anyone who needs reins with an older child.

We don't use it much these days, but when we do we definitely get gawps. No dog comments yet (they're too busy staring).

Twig - you hate cheese with fruit in it? Cheese and grapes go together really well though.
and cheese and pinepple