Credit
Have you ever tried leaving the house with a 1, 2 and 3 year old? I have and do it most days, while 1 year old sits happily in the pushchair 2 and 3 year old enjoy the independence in walking. Yes it can be a nightmare and we do have a double pushchair for longer outings but if its somewhere close out come the reins and off we go.
I was rather surprised to see on an online forum that some parents referred to child safety walking reins as dog leaches. That putting reins on a child was equivalent to walking your child like a dog? I am very aware that I turn heads when I leave the house with the 6 kids, I look very much like the Pied Piper, but all my children walk nicely and with no fuss, yeah right!
I have a 2 year old who has no road sense or is at all bothered in running and not stopping when asked, I have a 3 year old who will regularly throw a tantrum and throw herself to the ground, are you insane for even thinking I could leave the house without them strapped to something?
Do I think of my kids as dogs? No dogs are more obedient I find, they sit and fetch and can even roll over all in the hope of gaining a doggy treat, while the 3 toddlers I have are not happy to walk nicely holding mummy’s hand or the side of the pushchair, despite being bribed with chocolate buttons if they choose not too.
I would much rather have them on safety reins so I know they are close by and unable to run off or dart into traffic while trying to cross a road. In shops, I know I am not going to turn around to find them gone. They are in easy reach and I can control them in a safe manner.
I will continue to use my reins and I would recommend them to other parents too.
So my dear readers I ask you – Using reins on your child is treating them like a dog? Leave me a comment to let me know your views.
A Debate Corner Post By The Real Supermum
