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To most of the nay sayers about leashes, how can you say parents who use them are lazy? I know that it takes more energy to have a child on a leash and be right behind them then to just "leave that child at home until he/she can learn control." If that was the case then no toddlers under the age of roughly 1.5 year would be out, if you are lucky. I have children 11 months apart, so I KNOW it is hard to watch one and chase the other at the same time. I would rather have my youngest in the stroller and my oldest on the baby leash. Then I know that both are safe. And just so you know, while you say leash users are lazy, it takes more enegery to walk around with our kids on a leash or not than it does to leave them at home. What makes a good parent is how happy you are able to keep your kids while keeping them safe at the same time. I see no harm in using leashes in malls or amus____nt parks. I would rather get dirty looks from those who think it's "inhumane" than have my almost 2 year old run off in a busy area. And FYI, kids over 2 take off from their parents too.

i also agree with using them....i have a 5 year who stays by me....but 4 year old twins and one likes to roam which is very normal for the age they are....and a newborn. I feel better safe then sorry.

When i stated that parents with leases are lazy I did not mean in the physical sense as in chasing your kids around. I mean that these parents are not taking the time or energy to teach thier children to listen to them and not run off. To TC..yes I have children...6 yr and a 2 yr old and I did take them out in public places with me, without treating them as dogs that need to be leased...

I can't believe some of you think a parent is being lazy because their child runs or walks away from them. I have 2 harnesses. There is no way I can safely leave my car with them without having at least one in a harness attached to my waist. Isn't it better to have your child's safety come first than having that child run into the street?

In all honesty, I would rather look like a "lazy parent" and know my child is going to be safe. Not to be rude, but all kids act on impulse while they are young. Suppose your child DOES know not to run away or go into the road, but sees something like an animal or a friend and they wonder off to talk to or look at it. My sister does that sometimes at 6 and she knows not to. Kids are very easily distracted and can walk off to look at something and not even think about it. People put their dogs on leashes right? Why do they do it? To keep their dog from running away or into the road while they are out. Why not try to keep your kids from doing the same thing to keep them safe? Would you keep your dogs in a pet taxi EVERTIME you go out or teach it to not run off and trust it won't? I doubt it. So when kids get big enough to walk and would rather do so, I let him. I would feel bad about locking him in the stroller everytime we go out.

It is not as easy when you have an infant and a toddler. I use a leash because if it makes it easier for me, keeps my toddler safe and happy, and leaves the stroller open for my infant, why sgouldn't I use it. I agreed with the rest though. As for your walking question, I stay behind my toddler so I can see what he's doing.

to "WOW" do you have any kids? a two, three or four year old is much faster than the average parent. It's usually a matter of keeping up with the child, not the other way around. And kids have a trick, when you're holding their hand. It feels like you've got a good grip on the little hand. Next thing you know, the hand suddenly feels boneless, slips out of your hand, and the child runs off. My daughter is the master of that one. I do agree with you about not being able to discipline our children anymore...there have been times that my daughter needed a spank in public, but I don't dare give her one.

Yes, do have kids, and I never had to leash them up to take them out in public.

Jbear, you can't bloody win can you! You get slagged off if you smack your child, and you get slagged off if you don't!

I haven't used one, but I don't see a problem with them. I think it looks bad (like a pet), but I know it's for the childs safety. There's nothing wrong with that. I'd rather see that than a parent smack and holler at their toddlers, which I see all the time.

"The job of a parent is to never take your eyes of the child" That is nice in theory, but not practical. While I agree that I see a lot of parents not paying attention to their kids and it makes me want to pull my hair out.....there is always an occasion where something can happen. You just cannot control everything. My DH and I really pay alot of attention to our children and keep on top of them. I get sooooooooo many compliments on how "perfect" our children are. But let me tell you, those "perfect little children have had their moments and scared the hell out of me. I say, whatever helps a mother keep control of her child she should do. If she feels comfortable with the leesh, by all means, go for it.

Nothing is wrong with using one. I would think a leash or whatever you want to use/call it is not a problem. Some people want to look at others and make a judgment. And they may be right on in their a__sessment or, maybe not. You really can't know me or what I'm about when I'm seen out and in pa__sing on the street, mall, wherever. The leash is a tool and can be used right or wrong by good and bad, by lazy or energetic. Each person parent, caregiver, child minder needs to make their decisions as to what is right, if you think it will help you and your child, it's right for you. I ask, would you be lazy if you put your child in a crib (cage) and went to bed? Shouldn't you not be lazy and put them in a bed and watch over them while they sleep making sure they wont fall or wander? Would anyone call you bad if they heard or saw you put your child in a crib? So, Why is there such a fuss about the use of a leash? If I need to, I use one.

you know i never liked them until i had my second child. i remember seeing someone using them and i thought how can they do that...WELL then i got pregnant with my second child and they were 20 months apart. so i had an almost 2 year old and a newborn. as my olders on got older i bought one (also my older son is deaf) i felt like it was a safe way he could feel like he had freedom and he wouldnt get away from me while i also attended to my little one. also if my son was to run off he could not hear so i could not just call his name. i have found that the majority of people that are against them are the ones letting their children run amuck all over the place, so you know if you feel comfortable using them and you like them then by all means...DO IT...you are the only one responsible for your child. they are not, so who cares....thats my opinion. i do whatever it takes to keep my children safe.

what are you talking about?