What Are You All's Opinion On...

[Hunni Bee]

...Backpack Buddies, I think they're called.

The "tether" that attaches to a small backpack that the kid wears like a harness. Some people refer to them distastefully as "leashes".

I Bought my 2 year old nephew one for Christmas, but my sister refuses to use it. Meanwhile my nephew runs all over the store when we're out and pulls things off shelves (he behaves horribly with his mom - he wouldn't dream of doing that with me). Or alternately, he has to be confined to a cart or stroller, which he hates.

What do you all think? Nan uses a similar device when she walks her group and if I could get some for my dcks I'd be pleased as punch.

When I open my home daycare, they're going to be on the supply list.

[JenNJ]

I used one for my DS when he was younger. He once slipped his hand out of my grip in a Target parking lot and ran in front of a car. I bought one in Target that day. Best $12 I ever spent. He loved it and now my dd uses it occasionally.

I use a walking line with my daycare kids but I would use the monkey backpack if I needed one to keep a child safe.

[countrymom]

they are good. we had a strap for ds when we went to florida when he was 2, but he was so good. So when ydd turned 2 and we brought her to florida, we didn't bring it and she was the one that escaped us, so we went and bought one.

[Hunni Bee]

I used one for my DS when he was younger. He once slipped his hand out of my grip in a Target parking lot and ran in front of a car. I bought one in Target that day. Best $12 I ever spent. He loved it and now my dd uses it occasionally.

I use a walking line with my daycare kids but I would use the monkey backpack if I needed one to keep a child safe.

that's the one I bought my nephew. He loves it, my mother (whom my nephew lives with) loves it and I love it. Mom hates it.

[Breezy]

I will surely be buying one when ds begins walking. Which ahould be any day now hehe!

[Sunchimes]

I had one, but I found 2 problems with it. First, it's hot and made their little back sweaty. Second, when they would get in the stroller or in the car or even sit in a chair, I had to take it off so that they could be comfortable. On, walk a little, off, get in stroller for a while, on, walk some more.

I pulled out a bit of fabric and made a little vest for each of my dcks. We go on walks most days and they wear the vests. They are cool in the summer, fit over their coats in the winter, and look nice and tidy, and a little less obvious to the naysayers.

The kids love them. I keep them in a diaper bag hanging on the door. When I say it's time for our walk, they go stand by the door and wait until I get them down and put them on.

[MarinaVanessa]

I love the backpack buddies. I own several. I don't leave my home on a walk without them. Reffering to the way you said that some people refer to them as "leashes", well like I said in another thread ... I'd rather have a safe child than a dead one. You just never know when a child can get away from you and run into traffic. Happened to a woman in my city.

[Heidi]

nay sayers....oh well!

You're FIRST job is to keep them safe...

[Meyou]

I think they're a great aid in teaching kids to stay with you when they're little. They get their freedom and you have the security of knowing they can't hurt themselves.

[Meeko]

"Baby reins" as they are called in the UK...have been around for eons. I'm in my 50's and my mother used them on me. Back then, they were leather..often beautifully carved. (Think Swiss lederhosen) I had a white leather one with a pretty design on the front panel. They clipped in the back.

I bought some when my sons were little and we were back visiting the UK. They are used everywhere there. At first my (American) husband was horrified and didn't want me putting a "leash" on the baby. It took about 10 minutes and he was convinced it was the best thing ever. Helped with baby's unsteady walking (could be caught before a face plant in the dirt!) Gave baby a sense of freedom and yet was safely attached to us.

I love 'em!

[Meeko]

Similar to this (from a UK web site)

[Springdaze]

those are cute! Do they make them for 5 yos?::

[MrsB]

Before I became a mom I would see kids in the mall with these on and disliked them very much. I had the preconceived notion that it was because parents werent able to control their children. Then my eyes were open when my 2nd child learned to walk. My son was into EVERYTHING. (He is 10 now and has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS and ADHD) One time we were in Macy's. He was 2 and strapped into his stroller. We walked past the holiday section, several Xmas trees with twinlking lights and the such. Something caught his eye, freaked him out and he unbuckled himself and bolted. I saw the whole thing but I didnt have time to catch him. We had to shut down the whole macys and lock the door and we all looked for him. Probably the most frightening moment of my life to that point. It took us over an hour before a Macy's employee found him huddled in a little shelf that is supposed to hold clothes singing "you are my sunshine" and signing "help me" From that point on we wore the harness!!

My daughter born after him, never needed one. My 4th child, she is 15 months, I think she may need it!

[SilverSabre25]

I affectionately refer to those as leashes and they are wonderful for the kids who need them! I think the people who think they are awful are absolutely ridiculous!

[familyschoolcare]

So I never used one of these with my very active boy when he was young (now 17), however, did consider it. As long as we are having thise open and honest canversation about them, I have always wondered if they would have given me a since of false security. Because they can be unleashed from the child, Juast anyone could unleash the child.