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

[snb1978]

Cruel??? How can stopping them from getting run over, lost etc be cruel? I'd rather be cruel then see my child get into harm, my in laws have my daughter part time and they are quite slow people and could never keep up with my toddler if she wiggled free I would be worried at work for my child's safety if they did t have her on reigns, take no notice! Xx

 

[snb1978]

I don't think they're 'cruel' as such. I don't agree with them though. I find them too dog like. In farming, a dog lead is because the dog is untrained, not trusted and a liability. Those dogs never last on the farm long. Which is probably why I dislike reigns so much.

However, I wouldn't be opposed to them if I had a child who was any of those. If she was not to be trusted on a road, or to not run off then I may consider them. I'd rather cut that behavior out before we get to that point though. Which has always worked with Niamh and the childminded kids. I may eat my words in the future though.

It's not that a toddler can't be trusted, toddlers aren't developed mentally to even understand the meaning of trust, toddlers don't see danger and that's all there is to it, they don't grasp the concept of simple things like going to toilet until approx 2 let alone not running off!

 

[Groovychick]

I personally don't think they are cruel at all.

I got some for my daughter after she had 'grown out' of her pushchair simply on the basis of safety. The last thing I would want her to do is to get over-excited and run off, the consequences are unthinkable. I have no qualms about letting her off her reins in a park or a fenced area but otherwise I make sure she keeps them on. It just gives me a piece of mind that she is safe and I am in control.

 

[snowfia]

I don't think they're cruel. I haven't used them much with DD. I do think it's like walking a dog though
But I will use them more when this one's born. I don't fancy risking DD running off when we're by a road or in a busy shopping centre or something. They're definitely better than something terrible happening.

 

[Maggs]

No, definitely not cruel but not my personal preference either. I find it's more common to see them in the UK then it is in Canada though.

Only thing I'd like to see done differently is that some children are left to run ahead with parent just holding the reins. If on a road, I think it's best for a child to still hold an adult's hand to learn that is what you do. Fine enough if you're walking on a path or in a park.

 

[tommyg]

Macys reins aren't normally that long for a child to run ahead. Try walking with your arm in the air before you decide which is more comfy for a child.

 

[smokey]

We don't need them anymore (well nanny and grandma still use them occasionally as they arnt as quick) but the way I see it if wanting to keep your child safe and trying to prevent them running out in a road or our case is more the river because we live along the Thames is cruel then im happy enough being wicked and evil and sod what anyone else thinks or says.

 

[_jellybean_]

Just bought a backpack one. I'm disabled, and I'm hoping they will help me to be able to take my son out while using my cane. No...they're not cruel. TBH we did feel a bit uncomfy using them at first, b/c I do think that a lot of people think they look like a leash--but--who cares, lol! As long as lo is safe!

 

[bumpy_j]

We used a backpack set of reins - not cruel at all, just a safety precaution. I find it absurd that anyone would come to that conclusion.

 

[MrsButterfly]

We have a backpack set ready for when we need them. Don't think they are cruel at all and just help protect your lo.

 

[SjandPeanut]

I've found that most people who don't like them fall into one of the following categories:

1. Don't have children

2. Have adult children

3. Have children, but they're not yet walking

or

4. Have one of those magic kids I'm unfamiliar with who is perfectly behaved at all times, has total control over impulses and always acts with impunity. Kind of like a unicorn.

This!

So what if they remind people of a leash. I wouldn't want my child to get hit by a car anymore than I would my dog. It's a safety measure I do with love not to be cruel.

OH AND, you reminder me I find that people who compare reigns to leashes.... do not have dogs.

My son has back pack reigns one is a like a dinosaur the other is a bumblebee. They have little rain hoods and are ridiculously cute. I'm now imagining trying to walk my 30kg German Shepard and my 35kg lab x bully with backpack reigns...I'm sure that would work lol

 

[sequeena]

I've found that most people who don't like them fall into one of the following categories:

1. Don't have children

2. Have adult children

3. Have children, but they're not yet walking

or

4. Have one of those magic kids I'm unfamiliar with who is perfectly behaved at all times, has total control over impulses and always acts with impunity. Kind of like a unicorn.

This!

So what if they remind people of a leash. I wouldn't want my child to get hit by a car anymore than I would my dog. It's a safety measure I do with love not to be cruel.

OH AND, you reminder me I find that people who compare reigns to leashes.... do not have dogs.

My son has back pack reigns one is a like a dinosaur the other is a bumblebee. They have little rain hoods and are ridiculously cute. I'm now imagining trying to walk my 30kg German Shepard and my 35kg lab x bully with backpack reigns...I'm sure that would work lol

That image is hilarious. My own mental image is similar. I have a black GSD and a Mastiff

 

[SjandPeanut]

I've found that most people who don't like them fall into one of the following categories:

1. Don't have children

2. Have adult children

3. Have children, but they're not yet walking

or

4. Have one of those magic kids I'm unfamiliar with who is perfectly behaved at all times, has total control over impulses and always acts with impunity. Kind of like a unicorn.

This!

So what if they remind people of a leash. I wouldn't want my child to get hit by a car anymore than I would my dog. It's a safety measure I do with love not to be cruel.

OH AND, you reminder me I find that people who compare reigns to leashes.... do not have dogs.

My son has back pack reigns one is a like a dinosaur the other is a bumblebee. They have little rain hoods and are ridiculously cute. I'm now imagining trying to walk my 30kg German Shepard and my 35kg lab x bully with backpack reigns...I'm sure that would work lol

That image is hilarious. My own mental image is similar. I have a black GSD and a Mastiff

I'm so tempted to try, maybe just for a picture...

 

[sequeena]

...I am willing to do this... for scientific purposes of course

 

[LegoHouse]

I didn't use reins with my first but she had my undivided attention. This time.... I've used reins once, and I don't really like them, but sometimes they are safer and if I need them again I will use them

 

[Abigailly]

I don't think they're 'cruel' as such. I don't agree with them though. I find them too dog like. In farming, a dog lead is because the dog is untrained, not trusted and a liability. Those dogs never last on the farm long. Which is probably why I dislike reigns so much.

However, I wouldn't be opposed to them if I had a child who was any of those. If she was not to be trusted on a road, or to not run off then I may consider them. I'd rather cut that behavior out before we get to that point though. Which has always worked with Niamh and the childminded kids. I may eat my words in the future though.

Cut what behaviour out before you get to what point? Children have no impulse control and no real danger awareness untill long after they are capable of walking.

Cut out the 'impulsiveness'. Yes, they always will be however not Once has Niamh run out on a road, nor has she ever run off in a shop etc. I know I'm incredibly lucky with her.

And yes, children are comparable to dogs. And I mean that with no negativity what so ever. The dogs I've trained were always the most important things in my life before Niamh. They both need to be taught right from wrong.

She walks beside me, she may hold my hand, may not, she ALWAYS stays beside me. I'd like to think that's entirely my nurturing. But apparently she's a Unicorn

As I said, I only have one child and may one day eat my words.

 

[Abigailly]

And as for being against, and comparing, reigns and leads.

I have an almost 4 year old. She's by no means perfect but I'm currently against reigns. I compare reigns to leads and growing up I had 2 working Springer Spaniels (both who I trained) 4 hunting Cockers and my pet Hovawart. Who was 100lbs and trained both on and off lead. However, I very rarely used a lead.

The only time I did was on a busy road. Just as with Niamh, if it's a busy road then we either hold hands or I keep my hand on hood lightly 'just in case'.

 

[minties]

I thought swaddling and reigns were both "stupid and mean" before I had kids. Now I'm a mum who swaddled both kids until about 8 months, and Thomas has reigns for if we need them.

I now don't poo-poo anything too quickly!

 

[kerrie24]

I had reigns for no.1 as he was a terror,the other 2 I have managed without.

Its one of those things that just doesn't seem worth spending my time worrying about,I have become so laid back after 3 kids and try not to judge anyone.

 

[special_kala]

I had reigns for no.1 as he was a terror,the other 2 I have managed without.

Its one of those things that just doesn't seem worth spending my time worrying about,I have become so laid back after 3 kids and try not to judge anyone.

Judging involves far too much energy