To ask how old your kids were when you stopped putting reins on them?

[Yourdevelopment]

Assuming no special needs etc.

16

I never did, I held their hands. I guess the age they no longer run away from you?

Never used reins.

General use probably 3 but in busy places 4.

About 3?
DD was a runner so I was hesitant to stop but they got a bit small and snug and I needed to stop relying on them before she started school.

DS is 5 and I have a large pair for him as he still needs them sometimes (SEN).

Mu oldest was about 3. It was basically when whe would consistently listen and follow basic instructions like stop, come back, wait. TBH her issue wasn't understanding the instructions but more following them because she willful. My youngest never needed them.

Is this going to be like the other thread a while back where OP wanted to keep her 6YO on reins?

4 years and 3 months, he was a runner. Nearly did get hit by a car shortly after I gave up the reins.

I can’t remember. They didn’t have them
when they turned 3.

We had one of those back pack ones and with both they were off then by 3 I think but both of mine are girls and weren't too likely to bolt off. A friend has only just took her second son off the reins and he's nearly 4 as he would be un Predictable

Haha no considering buying a pair for a toddler but I’m a bit worried I’ll end up being that parent with a six year old on reins! Lots of parenting groups I’m a member of seem to recommend them until the child is quite old but I never really see them used out and about.

Two children and never used them. I either used a buggy or held their hands/kept them in arms reach.

Never did use them. Just held her hand where I thought it was necessary and then encouraged her to only run ahead short distances (e.g. to the next tree) and to always stop when I shout.

We only used ours for about 6 months, between 18-24 months. From 2 our eldest stopped running away from us, and had a much better understanding of danger so always give a hand to cross the road.
But we also gave up in him holding our hands on the pavement because we weren't going anywhere, as long as he stays near us and wait to cross, we're happy (he is 3).

We are starting to consider using for our youngest who is 17 months. She was following fine before but is now starting to run away and refuse to hold hands. I'm hoping it will also be for a short period of time, and we only use them when there is a danger and practice walking without them in parks etc.

We didn’t use them either.

3 and a half. He wasn't a runner but we walked a lot of very busy main roads and we held hands all the time

3.5 ish

dc1 till about 2.5 (was very obedient child, never left my side so no issue).
Dt till about 3.5 (only because they were twins and I was worried they'd run in opposite directions and as a single parent of 3 it was just easier.

Had a backpack with a ‘lead’ for my eldest when he was a toddler, but he always wanted to be carried or sit in the pram. Tried all sorts of reins with my second but that was a living nightmare (was apparently very early there were high additional needs though), didn’t even try with my third who’s still occasionally in the pram (again, likely ND though). Not much help sorry, but having kids with autism/adhd I personally don’t judge how people get their kids safely from A to B. I’ve had enough ‘looks’ for a lifetime and learned not to give a shit.

I'm wondering if 15 is too late to start 🤔

Different for my different dc.

dc1 was a runner and very impulsive, dc2 was a rule follower - much more cautious and sensible.

But you also get into the difficulties of not being able to just strap them into the buggy if you have a younger child in the buggy - so that varies as to where they are in family order.

I needed them for my youngest til she was probably nearly 3. She was terrible for running off, I could set her on the floor without her immediately making a break for it, she almost got hit by a car on two occasions because she just did not stop running anywhere we went.

Not all mine needed reins. If they had them on I still held their hand with reins wrapped round my wrist to teach them crossing the road etc. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially after James Bulger was taken. People can think what they like about reins on toddlers, it's not their child and they don't know what sort of parent I am. They can mind their own children.

4 kids and never used them.

DS1 very briefly at about 15 months when he was learning how to walk. Turned out he wasn't a runner, was happy to be beside us / hold hands / sedately point at busses.

DS2 is 23 months and they are a godsend. He's absolutely tiny (still in 9-12 month clothing) so holding hands breaks my back and can't be comfortable for him, plus he is super fast and thinks that he has a god given right to speed directly at any cat we see. Also my attention is split between him and DS1. We don't use them anywhere but walking along the road, but without them he'd be in the pram and I prefer him to get used to walking.