To think there’s nothing wrong with toddlers on leads?

[shhquietplease]

I’m not a parent so maybe I just don’t get it’s

But isn’t it the best of both worlds? Your child gets freedom walk and you can make sure they are safe.

Maybe not needed if you only have one child and they can have your full attention.

I don’t get the “I’m not treating my child like an animal” comments either.

My parents used reins after I ran out into a busy road and was just missed by a lorry. They were white with a pink rabbit on the chest patch and I absolutely loved them. Having reins made me feel very secure, I could run without falling because my mum or dad were holding me up and I also didn't run out in front of any more lorries.

Dd is 3.5 and I use backpack reins. I still talk to her about road safety and we’ve watched videos and songs about it, even when we’re crossing with the pram we talk about it. She tells me when we get to the road to look for the cars and ‘stop!’ I ask her if we should go and she’ll say yes or no. I take a belt and braces attitude to it. I don’t think having the reins on means she won’t learn

I gave up my qualms about reins after I had chase dd over 100 yards at a full sprint and only caught her because she decided to stop. I was hyper vigilant, probably too vigilant, but that child was a bolter and she was fast.

we didn’t use her little backpack all the time, but sometimes it was a necessity.

I don’t owe you an explanation but I’m entitled to my opinion. You can obviously suit yourself.

This grandmother says toddler reins are non-negotiable. Both my daughters believe they’re wrong and infringing the child’s right to freedom and autonomy. In my care, safety trumps freedom.

Absolutely! My child is an absolute escape artist, runs everywhere and I have a dodgy knee 🤣

I think reins work better than holding a hand, due to height differential, so no tugging on a shoulder or distortion of the body. Most children don't pull on the reins, but many do on a hand.

I think many of us remember James Bulger and that influenced our decision about reins. A very rare and awful thing to happen, but I remember it and it will stay with me.