On my way into the office this morning, I saw a mother walking with her child...on a leash. It got me thinking: When did we start putting leashes on children? They're not pets.

I do, however, understand the sensibility behind it - the same thinking behind why we put dogs on leashes: so whatever is attached doesn't go running away from you. But what affect does this have on the child, if any? Is the leash more for the benefit of the parent? Or the child? Or equally beneficial to both?

Maybe they're just like training wheels - you take them off after your child knows how to ride the bike without falling off. So then are we only unleashing kids once they know how to walk on their own? Isn't part of growing up falling down...and learning from it?

I'd love to hear your input on this.

They have been around for a long time. I think it is beneficial to the parent and child. All parties involved benefit from the devise except the child predator. We all know children are quick. They can run off in a second. Yes all parents should be on guard all the time. This devise is just extra security. If it is an open area I don't see a leashe being needed. Or if your child is in a shopping cart. However if you are in a large crowed or at a fair I think it is a good Idea. As far as a leashe on child while going for a walk I do not think it is needed. Unless the streets are crowed or maybe it is a busy intersection and the child has a habbit of not listening. They have another safety devise out now. It is the satalite wrist band. It locks in to position on your childs wrist. If your child gets attacked or kidnapped and the predator breaks the wrist band , it will automatically send a message to 911 with a location of where the wrist watch fell off. All roads are searched within a 30 mile radious within minutes of the band sending out the signal.

Leashes and children...there was a time I rolled my eyes in disgust!   My brother has an autistic child and a leash has saved his life on more than one occasion.  This kid does not know fear or danger.   At a family gathering we sang happy birthday to someone and then realized he was missing. In that short period of time he had climbed onto the roof of the house—and he was only 5!

 "Leashes" have been popular in Europe for many years. In the mid 80's when I was stationed in the military I saw many mothers and fathers using them. I have to say I met the idea with mixed feelings myself....Much like anything I believe it is how it is used, in conjuction with teaching and explaining what when why and how to the child I believe it can be effective. As a parent I have always talked to my kids about things not just saying "no" or "because I said so"- them understaning the reasoning behind things makes a huge difference.

Over the years I have been many places and seen many children who I thought might need one...LOL

I've seen  "leashes ' or Halters i think the English call them around for at least 50 years, and  although personally I never used one on my four kids there were three instances where I wished I had of done, and who knows if I had stayed in England longer perhaps I would have bought one myself.  I lost my second son for an hour an a half  in a country fair, I was panicking trying to hang on to my other two,  the police closed off the gates just incase someone had walked him out, but it still left hundreds of cars . Someone eventually found him wandering amongs the cars trying to find our car. He was 5 and usually a very good kid, he'd just popped to listen to a music grinder.  My second time was with my third son who was 3, two days before Xmas in a huge Dept store in the middle of Birmingham, he shot off whilst I was paying the cashier, dodged passed his brothers and disappeared.  This shop was five stories high and actually built on two sides of a small road,  I was petrified.  They     also closed off the main doors, but this little son was a master of quickness,  I think      i was almost in tears that afternoon.  That also took about an hour before we found him.  The last time, which in a way terrified me the most when I remember it, was when I left my three sons with their Dad in a shop, they were looking at toys, and I popped with my daughter to the ironmongers three doors down.  I was just coming out of the shop on my way back up to the first shop and i see my 3 year old holding the hand of a well dressed man walking down the street.  I walked up and said "Daniel, what are you doing outside"?  thinking that maybe the man had seen him and was taking him to the police station  and the man suddenly let go his hand and ran off.  I was so freaked out I started to shake.  I still wonder today what would have happened if I had not found what I wanted to buy quickly and had not bumped into them.    I would rather be sneered at than risk loosing my kids.

Belc says ...

I've seen  "leashes ' or Halters i think the English call them around for at least 50 years, and  although personally I never used one on my four kids there were three instances where I wished I had of done, and who knows if I had stayed in England longer perhaps I would have bought one myself.  I lost my second son for an hour an a half  in a country fair, I was panicking trying to hang on to my other two,  the police closed off the gates just incase someone had walked him out, but it still left hundreds of cars . Someone eventually found him wandering amongs the cars trying to find our car. He was 5 and usually a very good kid, he'd just popped to listen to a music grinder.  My second time was with my third son who was 3, two days before Xmas in a huge Dept store in the middle of Birmingham, he shot off whilst I was paying the cashier, dodged passed his brothers and disappeared.  This shop was five stories high and actually built on two sides of a small road,  I was petrified.  They     also closed off the main doors, but this little son was a master of quickness,  I think      i was almost in tears that afternoon.  That also took about an hour before we found him.  The last time, which in a way terrified me the most when I remember it, was when I left my three sons with their Dad in a shop, they were looking at toys, and I popped with my daughter to the ironmongers three doors down.  I was just coming out of the shop on my way back up to the first shop and i see my 3 year old holding the hand of a well dressed man walking down the street.  I walked up and said "Daniel, what are you doing outside"?  thinking that maybe the man had seen him and was taking him to the police station  and the man suddenly let go his hand and ran off.  I was so freaked out I started to shake.  I still wonder today what would have happened if I had not found what I wanted to buy quickly and had not bumped into them.    I would rather be sneered at than risk loosing my kids.

I'm so sorry that this happened and so glad that the kids are okay! Like I said, as long as you're not jerking your kid around in it, I see no reason to put it on the same level as treating your kid like an animal! Predators will not think twice about taking your kid - even when there isn't a croud!

I have to admit, I always laughed at the kids on leashes. I found it hilarious and somewhat silly. Now that I've read your comments, I can see how special cases might require a leash (handicaps or especially difficult children). I don't believe I could ever use one on my children though. They know the rules, and they know where they may go. But....a leash might have been useful once or twice.

Excelle_Editor says ...

On my way into the office this morning, I saw a mother walking with her child...on a leash. It got me thinking: When did we start putting leashes on children? They're not pets.

I do, however, understand the sensibility behind it - the same thinking behind why we put dogs on leashes: so whatever is attached doesn't go running away from you. But what affect does this have on the child, if any? Is the leash more for the benefit of the parent? Or the child? Or equally beneficial to both?

Maybe they're just like training wheels - you take them off after your child knows how to ride the bike without falling off. So then are we only unleashing kids once they know how to walk on their own? Isn't part of growing up falling down...and learning from it?

I'd love to hear your input on this.

I just stumbled across this post as I was browsing for kids' leashes because well, for one I have twin almost-two-year-olds, and secondly, my husband works full time. So, I cannot go anywhere or do anything with my children unless daddy is with me. This gets to be a huge strain on me and my mentality, being stuck in the house, or having to deal with the twins incessant screaming in public because they hate the stroller and want to run around and play. At least a leash would give us all a bit more freedom and room to breathe. I'm sure they would be as thrilled as I would be to have this solution. So, I feel that unless you are in a position to talk about your opinion on this matter, you shouldn't snub your nose or pass judgement on how others choose to raise their children. Especially if you think mothers are using leashes on children who cannot walk yet--that is not the purpose, as what sense would that make and how would a leash prevent a child from falling down? The purpose is to keep them safe while giving them a little space to roam.

I have a 10 month old son who was walking since he's been 8 months old, and he is very quick.  I plan on buying a leash for him after an embarrasing and gross incident :( where I was literally caught with my pants down. 

I had taken my son to the park and I had eaten something that didn't quite agree with me earlier, but since I felt fine when we got to the park and we we not really going to stay long so I didn't even think twice about taking him to the park by myself.  I quickly found out that this was not a family friendly bathroom when I went in with my 10 month old son and main door would not budge shut.  All they had was a stall that locked- at this point I really had no other options though, I really had to go. 

I went about doing my business and managed to do just about everything with one hand, but ( this is very gross btw), when it came to wipe I really needed my second hand just to get the dang toilet paper off of the roll.  I let go of my son's hand for what was really no more than two seconds and he was gone.  He bolted under the stall and out into the main door and sat there laughing.  I thought that I had a minute, so I tried to finish up, but after he saw me look at him he thouhgt that he could go a bit further.  He went out of the main door and I could no longer see him from where I was in the bathroom.  I didn't even try t o finish- I lept up with my pants down and poo on my bottom and ran out the door to get him. 

This is not a bad boy- he just loves to laugh and play and thought it was funny.  At 10 months old he really doesn't know fear yet, and listens very, very well at home so I always thought that he would just always respond to my voice.  I really thought  that I would never have this problem with him.  I learned my lesson though.  Once is all I need to know that I need a leash and I'll take the judgment and the criticism of leashing my child any day over loosing my child.  It only takes a second and they can be gone forever (or you can  be chasing them out of a bathroom stall with poo flinging everywhere)!

I think its pretty silly. I'd feel completely ridiculous! Put the kid in a stroller! If they are too old for a stroller, its time to stop being so lazy and start disciplining the child!

The only time I'd say its acceptable is if the child has a serious developmental disorder and cannot comprehend that he/she needs to stay near mom.

My first response would have been ' hell no, this is stupid and silly'; however, after reading some of the other responses, I can understand that use of a leash for a child who has control and/or behavorial issues.  I probably would not personally use them but I have never been faced with the need to either.  I can understand and empathize now.

I rather put a leash on the kid so I know that they can't run off on me like at a store or a mall. Because there is so many time where I've seen little two year old kids by themselfs. That's how kids get kidnap and yeah some kids are lucky to go back to their families but some aren't.

 In a crowded place where he can be potentially lost or kidnapped: yes. 

On the street while taking a leisurely walk: No. That's what handholding is for. 

Child "leashes" are very popular in Europe, Americans seem to have a big problem with them for some reason. I was on a child leash and very young when we came to America and an old lady told off my Mum in the airport. My mum didn't think of me as an animal, she was just concerned for my safety, and I think I turned out alright.