Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Thoughts on reins?

36 replies

Therunawaychild · 20/03/2022 20:56

My son is coming 2 and is becoming a lot harder to manage in public spaces. He seems to have hit terrible 2's with a bang and is frequently trying to do the opposite of everything i say or go in the opposite direction of where we are meant to be going. So my question is do you think reins would help this situation? Currently he is reluctant to hand hold or sit in the buggy and i dont want him strapped in a buggy all the time either but he sees this as play time and frequently tries to run off or just walk in the opposite direction. I get him back of course but this results in a throwing himself on the floor crying tantrum which is something hes just starting but becoming more frequent. I feel so embarassed and as if im a bad parent but im sure and i hope most people have been in the same boat. Im tempted to try reins but i worry he will still not want to go and become even more frustrated resulting in more tantrums and me essentially feeling like im pulling him along the floor. Any ideas on how you helped your child adjust to them?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

gogohm · 20/03/2022 21:41

I used reins, lifesaver literally if you have a bolter

Peasandcabbage · 20/03/2022 21:58

Reins every single time. Aside from anything else my back cannot cope with holding a hand constantly, and it's not natural to expect a tiny one to have there arm up constantly. They can potter along on a loose rein not even knowing they are there. Take a hand at a road etc.

If you look at research from a safety point of view far less damage pulling back in a rein to yanking an arm upwards.

WeirdlyKind · 20/03/2022 22:05

@Therunawaychild

Thank you all for your replies. Similarly i have nothing against reins but i am wondering as *@AliceW89* says if he is reluctant to walk in the direction we are all meant to be going in will it just turn into a screaming match on the floor. Where your children hesitant at start or how did you get them used to them? Perhaps i should of started earlier in hindsight. He is a good walker just very mischievous and thinks its always funny to walk or run in the opposite direction

What would you do in that situation without reins? You just pick them up and crack on!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

Traumdeuter · 21/03/2022 14:44

[quote DoucheCanoe]@Traumdeuter I think most people still encourage kids to hold hands and road safety etc with reins on.[/quote]
Yes - I put the rein cuff around my wrist/arm and hold hands with the same hand. I see a lot of people who just hold the end of the reins though. We use public transport a lot so I am very conscious of safe hand holding, especially if I have a shoulder bag/carriers rather than a backpack…

RampantIvy · 21/03/2022 17:04

Aside from anything else my back cannot cope with holding a hand constantly, and it's not natural to expect a tiny one to have there arm up constantly.

I agree. When DD first started walking she was too little for us to hold her hand comfortably as we are both tall.

TheWeeDonkey · 21/03/2022 17:07

I also had a bolter, reigns were a life saver.

Babdoc · 21/03/2022 17:10

I used reins for both of mine.
It was not negotiable, after I saw the distraught parents of a toddler in my ITU (I’m a retired doctor) - their child had snatched his hand free and run into the road without warning and been hit by a car. Multiple fractures, brain damage and blind. Don’t risk it.

TupilaLilium · 21/03/2022 17:19

I was against them before kids and then absolutely relied on them with DS1 who as a runner. It was the kindest choice for us both.

Then the next two kids did not need them. They were compliant little hand holders.

Use them if you need them.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/03/2022 17:23

What would you do in that situation without reins? You just pick them up and crack on!

If they haven't already bolted!!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 21/03/2022 17:24

I had a bolter, they were essential.

Brunosaiditlookslikerain · 21/03/2022 18:27

My kids ran so fast towards traffic age 2-3, reins are the reason they're alive. They are strong and fast and like to run. They would hold my hand for a bit and then suddenly, impulsively dash while having no awareness of cars. I didn't want to have to strap them in a buggy ALL the time until they were sensible (age 4). Reins meant when they wanted to walk they could and I had a way to stop them if they slipped my hand and sprinted towards danger. I still taught them road safety and holding hands it just meant they didn't get run over if they bolted.

Flip

1 2