Why My Toddler Wears a Leash

Yes, my toddler wears a leash.Leashes for children. It is a hot topic, but one that I never really put much thought into until recently. Heck, I find most of the parenting "hot topics" today incredibly stupid!

Of course my toddler isn't a dog, but there is a time, a place, and a market for most gear they make for kids today.

We originally started using the toddler leash when my oldest son started walking. I was pregnant with my middle son and my oldest was no longer interested in the stroller. Just like all of our kids, once he learned how to walk it was his preferred method of travel.

If we tried to put him inside a stroller, he had a nuclear meltdown and it remained that way for a while. I think it was the point where he realized walking could make his little legs tired as hell that finally made him accept the stroller, though even then it was only once he was completely worn out from walking.

Related: 10 arguements you should NEVER have with your toddler

The same thing happened with Ben, and now I am just waiting for Addie to really get the hang of this walking thing; I'm sure she's going to be off running just like they were.

To me, I look at the leash as a safety device. I don't look at it as a leash - it's a safety harness, a backpack that helps us to ensure the safety of our kids when we are out in a public place.

Related: 8 things I never thought I'd say... until I became a mom

Not only do we use the monkey backpack as an actual backpack to store things in, but we use it to make sure that our youngest toddler is S-A-F-E!

It doesn't mean we can't control our children; it means we value their lives far too much to risk an accident that easily could be prevented. I would rather people with hang-ups about these contraptions give me nasty looks than have my toddler accidentally run in the wrong direction onto the busy road we live on. Or trip off the curb into the road when we are at my husband's firehouse. Or run off during a busy carnival, or whatever fancy event with a large population we decided to bring our kids to for the day. It's just another precaution I take while I manage watching all three children.

Related: 20 everyday items my toddler finds fascinating

It isn't about power or control and it isn't about treating a toddler like a pet.

It is better safe than sorry to me, because I could never forgive myself if any of my children were hurt in an accident that could have easily been prevented.

- By Danielle Elwood
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