Kid on a Leash

Always a controversial topic: the kid leash.  I remember that my sister had a little Elmo harness for my nephew.  We were walking on the Wildwood boardwalk when he was about 18 months (a place that, really, no one should be judging any one else).  Some one walked by and freely shared their opinion by shouting, "Real nice!  You put your kid on a leash."

My now nearly 4 year old, did not like the stroller and was far too independent to hold hands.  When he was toddling around, I was ridiculously pregnant and could barely walk let alone chase after him.  Later, I was carrying around or pushing an infant.  Sorry, but a kid that won't sit in a stroller or hold my hand, just isn't a reason to not go to the park, zoo, out for a walk, to the museum, etc.  He still had to get out and, though there were days he irritated the crap out of me, I still wanted to keep him close.  Solution: the monkey backpack

That right, A LEASH!

I've heard the "leash" called inhumane, degrading, treating your child like a dog, and so on.  Here's the thing, 1) it's not your kid, and 2) go ahead and call CYS, they wouldn't care because there is no mistreatment of the child.  Paddy loved his monkey backpack.  He didn't have to be confined to the stroller.  We didn't have to fight with him and struggle to hold onto his grubby little paw.  No one was freaking out and having to run after him if he tried to take off for the swings, or worse, the parking lot.  We didn't have to worry about losing him amidst seas of people.  He couldn't wonder off.  It's not like he was on a choke chain, or we were telling him to "heal".  He had his independence and we had peace of mind.  Now that Paddy's older, he understands the dangers of not staying close.  Mick, not so much, so the leash has been passed down.   

Now, if only I could get away with the cages I'd like to lock them in.