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Parenting

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Original poster

Are child reins a big faux pas?

142 replies

MerryMarigold · 26/01/2007 14:51

My friend's child is constantly running off and I always declared mine (who is now just walking) will be on reins as soon as he's running. But I never seem to see people using them. Why not?

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beckybrastraps · 26/01/2007 16:14

That is actually what I use.

Started with bog standard reins, but moved on to that when they were a bit older. The advantage for me is that the strap is longer, and I am tall. I prefer proper reins for very young children though.

Songbird · 26/01/2007 16:19

Yes, the straps are definitely a better fit when she's got more layers on! And you're right about the handle strap, dh is 6'2" and he finds it a good enough length, unlike most things. That sounded a bit rude when I read that back to myself - I do apologise!

3andnomore · 26/01/2007 16:19

songbird, that is what teh Lindam one is like, only in brighter collours

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Roobie · 26/01/2007 16:25

I thought reins or a wrist strap were a no brainer - genuinely puzzled that they seem to be a love it or hate it type item. What's not to like?

exbury · 26/01/2007 17:25

I thought those backpacks were a brilliant idea - bought once for my niece who had a tendency to take off (much more so than DS) and she loved bags and backpacks - brilliant idea, I thought. Stony silence from my (American) SIL - which I took for disapproval - but by the sound of it people don't use them in the US - and yet they (in general, before anyone bites my head off) are so much more paranoid than us about so many other things....

princessmel · 26/01/2007 17:38

It shouldn't matter what other people think of them . If you like them then use them.

I did a bit with ds as he was a runner-offer. We used to have to walk along a busy ish road on the way back from the town.

Not used them much with dd. They are good on busy roads and handy to help them up when they've just learnt to walk and keep falling over.

princessmel · 26/01/2007 17:42

Who stares? I think thats awful. I also don't understand people feeling shocked at the sight of them.

Sometimes they are essential. If you want to let your child out of the buggy once in a while that is. And you've got more than one child and a buggy and shopping. And your pregnant.

ProfYaffle · 26/01/2007 17:51

I had a backpack for dd, she loved it and could carry her own snacks as well - bonus! Am thinking of re-instating it as she's been running away a lot lately and at 35 weeks pg I'm in no state to be lumbering across the park at speed to catch her.

I also don't understand why they provoke such strong responses, seem like an eminently sensible safety device to me.

nogoes · 26/01/2007 17:51

I use the ruck sack ones, when ds was younger I used the more heavy duty old fashioned type but they were a bit faffy. Lots of people use them round here.

amidaiwish · 26/01/2007 17:54

well i used these and the only comments i ever got were "where did you get it?"
my DD loved them...

princessmel · 26/01/2007 17:54

you're

ProfYaffle · 26/01/2007 17:56

ooh, that's the one I've got.

shosha · 26/01/2007 18:00

Message withdrawn

Tommy · 26/01/2007 18:05

my two both had reins and I wouldn't hesitate to put impending child in them either.

I don't care if they're unfashionable.

Once when had DS1 in them, an old lady came up to me and said "I'm so glad you use reins - if Jamie Bulger's Mum had had them, he wouldn't have wondered off...."

which made me feel a bit and but I guess it's true.....

Bozza · 26/01/2007 18:06

I used them with both my children. Much less necessary with DS than DD. I, personally, would prefer my child to be walking with reins where possible than in a pushchair. But stopped with each by the time they were about two. Also found them useful if we had the pushchair but the child wanted to walk so couldn't hold my hand. I would get them to hold the pushchair with the reins slipped through my hand as back up.

shosha · 26/01/2007 18:07

Message withdrawn

Tommy · 26/01/2007 18:09

exactly shosha

CorrieDale · 26/01/2007 18:13

I use them, even though I don't really like them, because DS is a little terror for running off. I can catch him now, but I'm conscious that in 3 months, he'll be 3 months faster, while I'll be 3 months more pregnant, and I'm not much of a runner at the best of times. Now, he's used to them and doesn't object, but I only fasten one end of the strap, so I give him a fair amount of rope.

noonar · 26/01/2007 18:14

i used them with my dds on concrete when they were toddling very unsteadily- for their own safety, so i could catch them when they fell. i also used them on the ferry, when safety was paramount. didnt use them once they were really steady on their feet- ie to hold them back.

saltire · 26/01/2007 18:17

I use them with my mindees(well the under 3s). more so since some comments made to me on this board last year.
I don't care what people think, all my mindees are safe, and unable to run off.

NannyL · 26/01/2007 20:09

I use them all the time on y 16 month old charge.... he has never ever walked in a public place without wearing reins.

Only started walking properly just before Xmas and the 1st time he wasnt in his buggy was beginning of Jan

when we go out he fetches me his shoes coat and reins

they are great while his balance is still a little less then perfect

I will conitnue touse them all the time for months and months yet

should anyone ever be rude enough to comment to me about the fact that a baby is wearing reins i wil tell them that personally i would rather him wear reins than be dead cause he has ran into the road.

I use them with all my toddler charges, always have and always will.

VelmaDinkley · 26/01/2007 20:15

Used them as preferred ds to have a little walk rather than be in pushchair & knew he was safe (in the street) & would help if stumbled.. changed to a little backpack when he was about 2 ( & he understood better to hold hands)

nightowl · 26/01/2007 20:20

It just depends on the child i would say.

With ds i never needed reins, socket covers, stairgates blah blah blah. He was so good, i would say "don't touch" and that was it.

With dd i have all these things..she's into everything (though of course not so badly now she's three) and did have a tendency to refuse the buggy, but refuse to hold hands and throw herself into the road at every available moment.

Something tonight which made me think..she's pretty good now but as we were crossing the road she dropped her toy and tried to dart back into the road for it. Luckily i was holding onto her tightly but you never know what they're about to do!

bran · 26/01/2007 20:30

I used one of these with ds and he really loved wearing it. In fact sometimes he finds it and asks to wear it now even though he never runs off anymore so he doesn't need it. It was nice and soft and comfy for him, I did try with regular reins to start with but he used to make a bit of a fuss about them.

lady007pink · 26/01/2007 20:39

I've tried using them on DS and DD1, but found them useless. In each case, the child would lie on the ground and refose to budge! Easier to carry them.

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