'Reins' for a toddler 'cruel' ????!!!

[sandilion]

I mentioned to a lady in a store today who commented on how active my LO is that i think its about time I get some reins for him so i can keep him with me. The lady looked at me horrified and told me that was a horrible thing for me to say, and it would be cruel! With the way she said it you would think i told her i was going to belt him or something...

I also have a friend who believes they are cruel also. Is it really that cruel to ensure your child's safety is met?

I have been feeling a little anxious about the idea now as my LO is SO active it's almost impossible to keep him with me, especially in public! I can just picture him walking up to some creep and them sneaking off with him... the thought terrifies me.

It's not cruel is it??? Does anyone use them and have copped any slack from on lookers?

 

[lindseymw]

Nah they are not cruel in the slightest.

Jacob wouldn't wear them or when he did, he would just flop on the ground in the hope I would 'catch' him before he hit the ground. oh that was a fun game....not

 

[Bex84]

Less cruel than your child running into a road, its all about safety. We barely have used ours as LO is very good at holding hands and is told that if she doesent then she gets carried when on pavement or carparks, when we started doing walks we had on once or twice as a safety measure

 

[SarahP13]

I don't like them and didn't want to use them with my children. So far it's been fine, DD1 is very calm and well behaved when we're out. She's just not the type to run off. Also we live in a small town so it's very pedestrian friendly and not too busy and, if shes not on the buggy board,I walk (with the pushchair) between her and the road.

I have known parents to use them instead of teaching road safety, however I think they should be used alongside teaching LO how to walk properly and be mindful of the road and other people.

Having said that, just because I would prefer not to use them doesn't mean I won't if I think I need to! If DD2 is a 'runner'(!) I will use them, although probably the rucksack with strap attached.

I wouldn't judge anyone for using them and some people should mind their own business!

 

[suzib76]

Yep totally cruel to keep your child safe

 

[topsy]

We use them when walking on the pavement to the shops and out-I have a runner, he would be all over the place without them, he will not walk holding my hand BUT is now getting better-I hold his hand and regins to cross the road and he dosnt struggle anymore so hoping eventually we can progress to just hand holding but at the min the regins stay and keep him safe.

xxx

 

[Button#]

They keep my little boy safe while I teach him how to walk safely along the main road. It allows him a bit of independance and a chance to be out of the pushchair.

 

[Siuan]

EVERYBODY has an opinion about EVERYTHING. Doesn't mean you're right. Doesn't mean they're right. Everyone is entitled to that opinion. You do what YOU want to do and sod the rest of them. YOU know your child better than anyone else. Who cares what someone else thinks anyway? *shrug*

I will use them if I need to with my LO when she walks that confidently. For now, she walks fine holding my hand (but soon gives up as she's not confident at all). I couldn't give two hoots what anyone else thinks about my choice to use them if necessary. My family. My rules.

 

[CormacksGirl]

I still use them for Adam, most days he's really good but other days he'll bolt if given the chance. My sons safety is my priority!!

 

[Dragonfly]

I rather see a child on reins than on the road dead. Never owned them as I never needed them but I dont understand the controversy around them. As with everything I am sure some have abused it and dragged kids around but whats the difference in a pram, sling where your child sits still than being allowed to walk and be safe I dont know.=

 

[Foogirl]

It absolutely baffles me why people think reins are cruel. Why is it any different to having a child hod your hand or the handle of the buggy all the time? I see many parents not teaching road safety no matter whether their children have reins, holding hands or are on scooters, trikes etc so I think it is a bit ridiculous to decide there were a bad thing for this reason. My mum had 3 children under 6 and only had two hands. Without reins she couldn't have taken us out anywhere. I was all set to use them with Abby but as it turned out they were not needed.

As Siuan says, everyone has something against anything. If they work for you, then use them.

 

[_Vicky_]

Ha!! I have twins so them bolting in opposite directions was very very likely so yes I used them all the time up until about 2.5 - life saver literally!

 

[Twinks]

Wow I never even realised some people disagree with using baby reigns let alone dubbing them 'cruel.' My lo has always been very active and runs away from me now at 14 months laughing thinking its a lovely game of mummy chase me. If we're in a safe area away from roads I don't use baby reigns and he holds my hand (sometimes lol) but if we're near busy road I always use baby reigns on him. He doesn't mind at all and I would far rather have peace of mind that he's safe :0)

 

[sequeena]

Of course they're not. Thomas has a set of backpack reins. He seems to rather like them!

 

[Jchihuahua]

I used reins with Daisy until she was about 2. They are really common in the UK but I've had numerous comments from people outside the UK, even in Europe, who seem to think they are like treating your child like a dog. I don't understand those comments at all.

 

[aimee-lou]

I use them until I can confidently say that they're not going to run off. With Earl that was about 18 months. I fear that Eddy is a lot more headstrong and impulsive....he'll be about 10! lol

 

[Eternal]

Ha!! I have twins so them bolting in opposite directions was very very likely so yes I used them all the time up until about 2.5 - life saver literally!

Exactly this, with twins you really have no option if not using the pram as they WILL run in complete opposite directions, plus I have an older toddler with suspected ADHD and autism (who doesn't use reins) so I physically cannot manage THREE toddlers by myself.

 

[CertainTurton]

I use baby reins with my DD when we are out near traffic or if I have the pram with me as I cant rush after her as quickly. She even puts her arms out for them when I get them out. I do also teach her to hold my hand across roads and she tends to hold on to the pram anyway. But she is so unreliable and does like to go her own way - I certainly think they are not cruel!

 

[hubblybubbly]

Nothing cruel about keeping them safe.....I use backpack ones when we're going somewhere very busy or near lots of traffic, and take them off when we get somewhere she can dart off without getting lost or run over.

 

[Mrs Doddy]

My lo does not run off, and won't even hold my hand but I'm right there by her side ...one of her friends on the other hand would benefit from Reins to teach him to stay close by !!!