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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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prettybird · 18/08/2008 17:17

I don't disagree with yuo Kittywise. (And BTW - I admire you for having stood up for your opinion).

However, those people that judge others for choosing to use reins becasue they think it is the safest thing for their kids are wrong to be judgemental (not saying you are).

It is a parent's right to assess and reduce risk as they see fit. We each make our own risk assessments.

I've mentioned my own "prejudice" (against wrist straps) and the reason for it, but it wouldn't occur to me to think badly of parents who do choose to use them - in the same way that it wouldn't have occured to me that people might look askance at ds on reins.

Let them loose, put them on reins, use a wrist strap, leave them in a buggy so they can't run around - as parents we just can't win!

CuppaTeaJanice · 18/08/2008 18:50

I'd have thought not having reins was far more chavish, particularly if the child's accompanied by a haggard old bird in fake burberry squawking 'Get here, Britney'!!!

derelicte · 18/08/2008 19:00

Really can't be bothered to read all the thread, but I use reins with DD as her arms pop out of their elbow sockets if you so much as look at them in a funny way. Holding hands while walking = an almost guaranteed trip to A&E.

I'm amazed that anyone thinks it's 'chavvy' and even more amazed that anyone else cares that they might be being judged for using them.

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General parenting
StealthPolarBear · 18/08/2008 19:22

Habbibu, yes, the aubergine is the chavviest vegetable. Closely followed by the courgette.

rachw1 · 18/08/2008 21:01

I used the reins on my dd, she liked to march along not holding hands so the reins gave her more freedom. Surely it depends on each child? People often seem to argue against a thing on the basis that they never needed it - well all children are different. Just because something was not useful to you doesn't make it wrong!

StealthPolarBear · 18/08/2008 21:46

No there is a well known and loved argument of it didn't happen to me so I refuse to believe in it.

PigeonPie · 18/08/2008 21:57

Gateau, I've used the Clippasafe ones both out and about and on the Tripp Trapps. Have had no problems with them. I got them because they were what our local shop had and they will definitely do DS2 as well as DS1.

amidaiwish · 18/08/2008 22:48

these aren't chavvish!toddler runner backpack

Twinklemegan · 18/08/2008 22:56

Well I've never heard that one. I'd say chavvish is having said toddler running wild in a shopping street, accompanied by yells of " Coom back ere!"
Having said that, we didn't really get on with reins, so I tight grasp of DS's hand/wrist had to do instead. Pretty nervewracking though.

thumbwitch · 18/08/2008 23:01

can't see how it is or would be chav-ish - I fully intend to use them when DS is big enough.

My mum used to be on an Under-5s committee for the local council and one parent commented there that using reins was "treating your child like a dog" - Mum glared at her and said what everyone else her has said - "so you think more of the safety of your dog than of your child, do you?" That shut her up quicksmart.

Will also be using a playpen - DH has just finished constructing it - can't see the issue with that either.

However, chose not to use a dummy because I'd rather not be faced with the situation my sister has every time one of her girls loses their dummy - at least DS's thumb is firmly attached to his hand.

Don't see that any of that makes me a chav/ posh/ nouveau or any of those pointless labels - it is what I have chosen to do for my child that I think best meets his interests and safety.

hf128219 · 18/08/2008 23:04

Who cares? That is what makes me chuckle about mumsnet - people worry about what other people think.

EyeballsintheSky · 18/08/2008 23:25

DD is only 7mo but already she's an independent, pig headed little bugger and when she learns to walk, which will be in the next couple of weeks knowing her then I know she will refuse the buggy and you can bet your socks I'll have her in reins before you can say 'come back here'. In fact I'm thinking of buying them now to be prepared...

I don't give a damn what anyone thinks. If it means she can walk without getting herself lost or run over then I'm all for them.

apostrophe · 19/08/2008 21:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

jellybeans · 19/08/2008 21:35

Not read all thread but I have used reins and couldn't give a toss what people said/thought of me. As long as my kids are safe, that is all I care about. If someone wants to judge me for that or get their knix in a twist then I really wouldn't give a jot tbh.

Original poster
Gateau · 20/08/2008 08:48

Bought my reins yesterday - nice tan leather ones from John Lewis.

OP posts:
mrsruffallo · 20/08/2008 08:52

Oh, they are awful
I have only seen two children in them in the past year where I live and it looks terrible

Original poster
Gateau · 20/08/2008 08:54

Who cares how they look if they keep your children safe? Much better them getting exercise than being crammed into a pushchair.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gateau · 20/08/2008 08:56

By the way,apostrophe, nobody is saying they're "interested" in the original question. It's just a bit of "inane" conversation; so what? If you weren't "interested", why bother commenting?

OP posts:
derelicte · 20/08/2008 08:56

apostrophe - lol

mrsruffallo · 20/08/2008 08:56

Ialays wonder why the [parents can't teach them road safety and/or to walk along with them
Maybe I have just been lucky with mychildren, they seemed aware of car danger from a very young age

mrsruffallo · 20/08/2008 08:58

I don't like the expression chavish either

Original poster
Gateau · 20/08/2008 09:01

So you don't teach them road safety when they're on reins??! What a load of crap. That's the whole point of reins!!
Or maybe we'll let them learn the hard wat and get hit by a bus first.
As always though, each to their own. Have no inclination to argue further.

OP posts:
kitbit · 20/08/2008 09:01

Reins are fab. I used them sometimes when ds was learning to walk instead of having to bend double all the time. If he tripped (which was often in the early weeks obviously) I hoiked the reins up in the air and he ended up dangling and giggling instead of flat on his face and crying. Good, no?

mrsruffallo · 20/08/2008 09:03

Lots of children who don't wear reins don't get run over, there is a shrill panic in assuming such a thing
If your only concern is whther you will be considered 'chavvy' or not then you should get them, of course

derelicte · 20/08/2008 09:05

MrsRuffalo - you are lucky then! I have persistently taught DD about road safety, but she is skittish and over-confident, and there is a distinct chance that she might make a dash for a pigeon (or whatever) in the road.

We can't hold her hands a) because she is slippery as an eel, b) if I'm on my own I have both hands on the buggy and c) she has easily dislocated elbows.

So there you go, no need to wonder any more