Now that he’s SO active and running around as fast as the wind, you’ll understand my thoughts about wanting to get a leash.
I know a particular brand of leashes that has a cute backpack instead of a harness and your kid looks less like an “animal”. The concept is still the same – your child is strapped to your wrist/hand and has less than a meter’s length room to roam.
I was tempted to buy it especially when he went missing for a few seconds during a shopping session (even with 3 adults browsing around) but I don’t really like it since it seems like a stop-gap measure.
For starters, he’s learning how to be independent now. In the evenings when we bring him to the playground, he’ll hold out his hand to be held to cross the road.
At home, I’ll let him run the distance from our apartment to the main gate where he’ll stop and also hold his hand up the same way.
Using a harness will only physically restrain him and he won’t learn to differentiate between safe and dangerous running around.
Also, knowing his cheeky character now, he’ll have more fun driving me even more bonkers pulling against the harness with his increasing strength!
He knows his boundaries for the playground but in shopping malls? That’s a different story.
I’ve seen some toddlers who hop, skip and jump about but are always within the perimeter of Mums. I tested out the boy a few times to see how far he’d go before he looks for me.
He’ll go as far as 6 cars lined up vertically before he turns around to see me!
Instead of a child harness, I thought of a wrist strap restrainer but this is also dangerous because it straps your child’s delicate wrist to yours. Knowing his willpower and strength, I’m afraid that he’ll injure his wrist trying to break away from me.
Until he’s physically and mentally prepared to take care of himself, it’s going to be a combination of stroller and hand-holding for me.
And of course, some storybooks about kids going missing…
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Hi there! Thanks for dropping by my blog
I used to use a wrist strap on Ashley but she tends to run real fast and I’m afraid it would hurt her. So, I’ve stopped using it and hold her hands tightly. Also, we get a lot of stares and unkind remarks when using it 
i thought of using it also. I tried it on Jayden and he began to cry. I told him If u dun want me to tie you like this, then u be good okay? And he nod nod. Maybe u shud try on your boy.
Fortunately for me, the two will run but look for me occassionally. I have a niece though who just doesn’t know danger. My sil uses the harness. Better safe then sorry she says.
Mommy to Chumsy – Welcome to my blog too! So, she hasn’t slowed down yet even though she’s close to 3, eh? Wah…
Sasha – Thanks, that’s a good idea! I should try that on him coz he can tell me if he doesn’t like something too.
Mumsgather – Yes, you’re lucky
The main reason I don’t wanna use the harness is because it doesn’t really teach them self-control.