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Original poster

Are reins really considered "chavish"?

206 replies

Gateau · 18/08/2008 13:33

Have been looking into buying reins for my 16month old DS and have read that they are often considered "chavish" nowadays.
This - yet another example of - inane snobbery will not sway my opinion either way, but is this the way reins are viewed nowadays?
And if so, WHY???

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ruddynorah · 18/08/2008 14:53

i don't like them. but then i know i've probably had it easy with dd. never had stairgates, cupboard locks, play pens or any other paraphenalia.

SoupDragon · 18/08/2008 14:55

I couldn't give a f&&& if they look "chavish" or if people think they are cruel etc. They kept all 3 of my children safe. I'd rather treat my children like dogs than have a dead one.

vimfuego · 18/08/2008 14:57

To avoid accusations of chavness, think 'left field' about where to get them: e.g. fair trade hemp reins made from a sustainable source - hand sewn in a Nepalese women's refuge.

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General parenting
nappyaddict · 18/08/2008 14:58

pushchairs and ponytails are chavish? wtf!!

nappyaddict · 18/08/2008 14:58

pushchairs and ponytails are chavish? wtf!!

ScottishMummy · 18/08/2008 15:03

oh i sport a nice swishy ponytail, reins and a pushchair.Chavvy Moi.have a word wiv yourself hun

SoupDragon · 18/08/2008 15:04

I think a ponytail is only "chavish" if it is pulled so tight your lips meet round the back of your head.

prettybird · 18/08/2008 15:04

WHile I have no issue with reins, and used them in my time - I actually don't like seeing wrist straps. Not 'cos I think they look chavy, but 'cos my GP best friend indoctinated me into disliking them as she saw far too many discloated shoulders in kids who were made to use them.

Ripeberry · 18/08/2008 15:09

There are two camps here.
People who are sensible and think of safety first and fashion last.
And those who think of fashion first and safety and being sensible last.
I know which i would rather be in .

ScottishMummy · 18/08/2008 15:10

Ah the croydon facelift stretched so tight your eyes pop, skin tautened.nice

Original poster
Gateau · 18/08/2008 15:11

So why are playpens in the "chav" dustbin as well then?
They'are hardly a fashion "accessory" are they?

OP posts:
Upwind · 18/08/2008 15:15

having a playpen suggests you can't give your dc your undivided attention at all times
maybe because you can't afford to have someone in to mop the floors and prepare meals

Original poster
Gateau · 18/08/2008 15:19

Probably upwind.
But letting children have your undivided attention at all times is lulling them into such a false sense of security; life is not like that and I do think it is important for them to learn that at an early age.
We could have a cleaner, but one of the reasons I don't is because I want to let DS know there are some boring things in life that Mummy has to do and DS has to occupy himself in that time.

OP posts:
Ripeberry · 18/08/2008 15:23

If kids are not allowed to be bored, then they will never learn how to keep themselves occupied!
Some friends used to say that i was not a "good parent" by letting my DDs have dummies and when they were both around 18 months they gave them up anyway.
Non-dummy friends have thumb sucking 6yr olds now.

Original poster
Gateau · 18/08/2008 15:24

I would be bloody livid at any "friend" who said I wasn't a good parent!

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Ripeberry · 18/08/2008 15:26

It's OK, one moved away anyway and the other has to keep saying to their DC "Take your thumb out of you mouth!" even at school

Original poster
Gateau · 18/08/2008 15:29

Yep; neither my brother and I had dummies and we both ended up sucking our thumbs - me for much longer than I should have! One night my little git of a brother crept into my room and brushed that vile nailbiting prevention liquid onto my thumb. And in the morning - thumb straight in.. It still didn;t stop me!

OP posts:
Morloth · 18/08/2008 15:30

I HAVE a cleaner and still used a playpen, got to give the kid something to aim for - he was so proud the day he figured out how to escape.

Original poster
Gateau · 18/08/2008 15:33

Until what age is a playpen deemed acceptable? Or is it just "whatever?"

OP posts:
Upwind · 18/08/2008 15:34

I'll be using one until they figure out how to escape!

Upwind · 18/08/2008 15:36

Must be tempting to build giant play pens to keep teenagers out of trouble...

prettybird · 18/08/2008 15:38

I thought playpens were for the grown-ups to sit in to get some peace!

Original poster
Gateau · 18/08/2008 15:39

I do sometimes go in there - just to show DS it won't close up and swallow me whole! Although I sometimes wish it would..

OP posts:
Morloth · 18/08/2008 16:04

Until they can escape Gateau at which point it becomes useless in any case.

kittywise · 18/08/2008 16:55

ripeberry you said "There are two camps here.
People who are sensible and think of safety first and fashion last.
And those who think of fashion first and safety and being sensible last.
I know which i would rather be in ."

That is simply not the case.

You are saying that people who don't use reins are too fashion/image conscious to care about the safety of their children?

That's bollocks

I have never used them, I do not like them. My(many) children have never been in an accident or come close to one.

The safety of my children is as important to me as yours is to you.

That was a ridiculously stupid comment

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