To Leash or Not To Leash?
By Pamela Gifford 
 
If you're the parent of a toddler, then likely you've heard of the child harness, otherwise known as a leash.  This is a controversial subject matter among parents.  It is likely also, that you've already formed an opinion on the subject.

"You must teach your children to stay by you and not run away.  You can't teach them anything on a leash," says Yvette Miller of Canton, Ohio, mother to a 9 month old boy.

"A leash is for pets, not for children," says Gwen Sveck of Hopland, California, mother to 8 and 5 year old girls and 3 year old boy.

"If I didn't have a harness, I wouldn't be able to go anywhere," says Betina McCrary of Nashville, Tennessee, mother to 4 month old and 2 year old girls.  "I can't set my baby down to go chase my older daughter and I can't run carrying my baby, either."

"When I'm at the airport and trying to juggle my luggage and my two year old, a leash is necessary.  You can't tell a two year old to stay by you in terms he can understand.  It's in their nature to explore.  I'd rather be safe then have my child swooped up by a stranger while I'm trying to find my luggage," says Marissa Wells of Cairo, New York, mother to a two year old boy.

Whether you advocate the use of a harness or not, most people on both sides of the debate seem to agree that it is a personal choice.  And even advocates of the harness agree that there are people out there who over use it.

When deciding whether to use a harness or not, you should look at the circumstances surrounding you.  How many people are going to be there?  Will your attention be helplessly divided?  Are you using it just because your tired and don't feel like chasing your toddler?

Places where it would be okay to use a harness if you chose would be any place where the crowd of people was so large that you wouldn't be able to see your toddler if he ran away from you.  This includes festivals, fairs, amusement parks, bus terminals, or the airport.  It would also be okay to use a harness in any instant where you have more then one child to divide your attention.

It is not okay to use a harness in any instance where you are just putting it on her to keep from having to chase her.  To do so means that your attention is already focused on something besides your child.  Even with a leash, kids can get into anything.  A leash is not an invisible barrier that keeps your child from picking up dangerous objects and shouldn't be treated as such.  Always keep your eyes (and mind) on your children, regardless of whether you choose to put a leash on them or not.