To think reins are a good idea

[Carole84]

Ok backpack reins for a one year old yes or no?
my one year old is very active, was an early Walker. Is hard to keep in place unless strapped in buggy - it’s great he loves to walk so much so I don’t want to encourage buggy when he’s happy to walk. (Also my 6 year old neice still
uses buggy because she complains about walking so I don’t want to make it a habit when he’s happy to walk every where - ) I would still hold hands crossing road etc. and reins are easier for me but are there pros for my toddler other than just making my life easier?!

See "omg it's kind they're on a dog lead" and similar idiotic comments

Reins/dummies/bottle fed/buggy after 2 years/etc- I did all of this 40 years ago and there was always someone criticising me! Do want you think is best for you, your baby your choice.
I wasn’t willing to risk any of childrens or grandchildrens lives so had them on reins until they fully understood danger and could respond quickly to my voice.

And the first time they break away from your hand and run... And it's under a car not down the street, then what? Or what do I do with the other twin whilst I chase escaping twin? I mean it's great if you know your child is obedient to a fault, but most just aren't. It only takes once

he gets annoyed holding hands too long and I wonder if I’m too tall and it’s not comfy holidy his arm so high Blood drains from your hands/arm if it's held up like that, I can imagine it doesn't feel great if it's up too long.

Reins are fantastic, they give the child freedom and safety at the same time.

Why is it important for them to walk holding hands though? They'll only need to do that for a fraction of their life.

And why do they need to hold hands? To be safe. Like the reins make them.

Besides, reins don't make children ideologically opposed to holding hands, they just provide an extra option for when that isn't possible.

Yes, Boots do a good basic pair, think it's got a teddy at the front and a loop strap rather than one long one. My twins are wild but adore, like weird level adore, being in reins. Cos they know it means freedom

same here. I wouldn't have been able to take them out on my own without them.

I dont understand the hate tbh. I'd rather my child was on reins rather than under a car.

I think reins are great. Used them with both of mine. I would hold their hands in busy areas, crossing roads etc. but it gave me confidence to give them a bit more free range in the safer areas until they were a bit more street smart. My DC are older now and I can thankfully say don’t need them anymore. I don’t see many adults wearing them (those with special/additional needs being the exception) so I don’t know why people are so negative. I had the same with the fire guard and people who were saying I taught mine not to touch the fire. I agree I taught mine too, but I didn’t want them tripping and falling into the fire or onto the hearth. Sometimes an extra safety precaution is just worth it. Another vote for the backpack reins.

Isn't it sad they afford their dog more protection than their kid

I have loads of photos of me wearing reins at toddler age. I have turned out ok, no dog-like behaviours.

I think they are a good safety back up, but if he doesn’t walk nicely, then it’s back in the buggy.

Meh, reins are great. My mum used them with me and I used them with my kid.
You always get someone who offers a smart comment about having your kid on a ‘lead’ but I only used them until my child was old enough to understand he couldn’t bolt and that being near the road was dangerous.
I walk my dog on a lead to keep it safe.
I used reins to keep my child safe.
I had a Little Life set with a kind of backpack so we could put snacks etc in it.

Here I go againist the grain again. I refuse to put a child in reins. I think it's demeaning and doesn't teach them anything at all. When my eldest was a tot if he bolted it was straight in the stroller and if I could, it would be straight home again. They are unnecessary. No child or parent needs them. Same with a dummy. (Which I have used with both of mine.) In my mind, it's another tool for lazy parenting. I'm not saying Im the perfect parent, far from it in fact.

Would I silently judge a parent using them? Would I feel sorry for the child? Absolutely. But I would never say anything. It ultimately comes down to, your child, your choice. Nothing anyone says can change that so I don't. And, if you're honest enough we all judge other parents and their parenting choices. I'm just able to admit it. Because it's not right for me or I don't believe in their use doesn't mean others can't see their value.

I've used reins with my daughter since she was 11 months old (she's only 15 months now so not that long!) But she adores them as she knows she gets some freedom on them. I've even known her, if we've walked to the park on them and I've taken the strap off but left the harness on so she can run free and it's got a bit busy to come back and want the strap on. She feels safe with them and I feel safer walking from a-b with them so I just see a win win. I prefer the traditional ones to the backpack as I felt more in control if she stumbled but that may be because she was so little when I introduced them.

I hate when mums do this. I never needed reins for my firstborn, simply because he was clingy so would stay close by and he also didn't like walking much! It was nothing to do with my parenting.
With my second child, I would definitely use reins in crowded places or walking near roads as he's a complete and utter liability (loves to be independent/run off).

Reins all the way , DS is 29 now , and had the old fashioned ( now ) webbing reins and we loved them ,

Had a couple of negative comments ( why’s he on a lead like a dog ) I used to give them a look , and say Gee up horsey , he liked being pony boy and made all the pony noises as he cantered along !

it’s much better to be safe , and a 6 year old in a buggy !
Assuming she’s able bodied , good grief , that’s just lazy parenting IMHO

I literally couldn't have caught my child if she bolted. I can't run. What do you think I should have done?

Yes they certainly have their uses

I know they were very frowned upon on MN when ds was little (2010 ish) along with dummies both fantastic inventions imo

i was told by a regular sanctimonious perfect earth mother reigns are hideous like treating ds as a dog 😆😆😆oh how I laughed

I've got twins and bought those little backpack reins (little life). Both girls are ND (although, only I saw this at the time, but there's an whole other story) and Twin 2 has always had very little impulse control.
I'd far rather have used those and be judged than have a dead twin, like the poor parent who posted on MN many moons ago.

But what happens if the first time they bolt they bolt under a truck.

Yes, I've learnt this the hard way with my 8 6 and 4 year old still needing reins. They simply never found out how to walk without them

I can remember being out with my youngest nephew who was about 2.5 at the time. He kept running off and wouldn't let anyone hold his hand, so I clipped a lead rope to the back of his coat. Worked perfectly!

Reins are much better than a kid having to hold hands for a long time (Just try walking along with your hand held up like that ) or bundled into a buggy when they'd rather be on their feet.
People who think reins are 'demeaning' compared to either of those are best ignored.

How are reins demeaning but being confined to a buggy when walking age isn’t???

I had one bolted and one velcro child. If Velcro child had been PFB I could have been judgement about reins I suppose. It was obviously my superior parenting that kept my child by my side and not temperament. Toddlers need exercise, reins mean they get this safely. My PFB turned out to have ASD (didn’t get diagnosed until 8). She was extremely stubborn and fearless, took longer than your average child to be trained. Reins kept her safe and able to explore her world.

Reins are an excellent way to keep your child safe, allowing them to exercise safely. Absolutely no comparison to dogs on leads and people who have the cheek to say such are frankly idiotic and pathetically judgmental

Reins absolutely do not negate the teaching of holding hands. It's a safety measure that saves lives while you teach it.