I think that while it can look a bit “wrong”, if you have a wandering child and think it’s the best way to keep them safe, then do it. Safety trumps everything.

I think its a great idea. When I was little every mum seemed to use them but they have grown out of favour these days. You can get wrist straps and they are very effective.

I stopped a little girl running down the footpath in town today. Her poor mum was frantic, with one in the pram and two young ones going each direction. I’m just glad she didn’t step in front of a car. Personally, I never used a leash with my kids, but only because I was lucky they were not inclined to run away. I think they are a terrific idea.

My youngest brother had to have a harness ( I remembered a white colour too ) for a short time because he was too active and would not walk but run away from us all the time . He accepted it , but it does look like a leash , but it was really practical and he settled down later because he knew he would have it again if he didn’t walk with us .

A harness came in handy used for my oldest, the first one i had was before prams had straps and so held him in the pram and then later was used with a lead. He was the only one I needed it for as he was an escape artist.
With my younger two use a backpack lead for when we go to places with lots of people otherwise they are good. It really depends on your child and situation.

Mine broke on the way to catch our plane to Mauritius 8 months ago. I haven’t bought a new one yet but i have been looking for them. It keeps the child safe, what is more important?

I don’t have a problem, I found it hard to use though

Seriously, my daughter use to see something she liked and just run off, if I was paying for something or having a conversation it only took half a second. I started using a wrist strap, if I didn’t I would have lost my daughter. I got the same comments, but ignore them, at least you know you are doing what is best for you and your child, and if your child ran off and someone found them by themselves, they would say your an unfit parent, can’t please everyone so just please yourself. I will be using a little backpack leash thing my mum bought for my son when he starts walking.

I was always frowned upon for using one on both of my children. Then I passed one older gentleman down the street and heard him say “finally a sensible parent is out there”
My children were very active so I needed that extra support to keep them close. I tried not to use it unless I had to. It was a godsend having it there when I needed it. My kids are 4 & 6 now and they understand when I speak its not to hear myself talk they know its for their protection

Not cruel at all if it keeps your child safe. We have back pack harnesses for our boys and only use them in crowds when they could easily get list or move out of sight. They just walk beside us still holding hands but there is that extra security if they let go or you need to look at something or pay at the check out.

I know I may be going against the norm. but what we used to call a child harness was a must when we went out . Today its frowned upon. If you feel comfortable and confident with the harness go for it, I wish more mothers would, it keeps the child close and it teaches self relf restraint. What I would suggest is that you jazz the harness up a bit make it colourful, sparkly, , fun, that way your child will like it and the general public will look at as a fun thing rather than a ‘bad’thing.