The dumbest thing you have ever seen a guest do!

[DevilDuckie]

Obviously not a parents are you? A "teather" is the greatest thing for kids, they can walk around but keeps them from running off. I wish more parents used them. Most "parents" just let their kids run all over and then wonder why they get hurt or kidnapped.

I'm a parent and I think they're awful. Lots of us manage to keep our kids safe without tying them to us. Sure, it's more work, but if I wanted to walk something on a leash, I'd get a dog.

[PapaMouse]

I'm a parent and I think they're awful. Lots of us manage to keep our kids safe without tying them to us. Sure, it's more work, but if I wanted to walk something on a leash, I'd get a dog.

And why would you walk your dog on a leash??? TO KEEP IT FROM RUNNING OFF and to KEEP IT SAFE!!!! I would hope you would want to protect your child the same way.

I guess your one of those parents that strap their kids in a stroller never letting them get exercise so they get nice and fat, or you just let them run wild and do what they want? I bet you are one of those that think it's wrong to have a play pen too right? Oh I am sorry an "indoor play yard" (whatever that means), there is no grass, it's not a yard, its a Play Pen, it is EXACTLY what it says a PEN for them to play in, keeps them safe and out of trouble.

I am sorry but uptight people like you are what makes this world such a pain to live in. All the "PC" crap. Let me inform you of a few things that might make life easier for you.

* It's ok to spank your kids, just don't abuse them.
* Teaching your kids manors and respect is a good thing. Try it some time.
* They are KIDS, you are the PARENT, You are responsible for what they do.
* It's not funny when little billy says "Shit!" Pop their mouth and or wash it out with soap.
* Keeping your kids safe BY ANY MEANS is ok. this includes, but not limited to: Tethers, Leashes, Harnesses, Play Pens, Walkers, Bouncers, and anything else that will prevent the child from running off and getting hurt , taken, or into trouble.


Until most parents learn those and a few others facts of life, this world will never be any better off.

[DevilDuckie]

And why would you walk your dog on a leash??? TO KEEP IT FROM RUNNING OFF and to KEEP IT SAFE!!!! I would hope you would want to protect your child the same way.

I guess your one of those parents that strap their kids in a stroller never letting them get exercise so they get nice and fat, or you just let them run wild and do what they want? I bet you are one of those that think it's wrong to have a play pen too right? Oh I am sorry an "indoor play yard" (whatever that means), there is no grass, it's not a yard, its a Play Pen, it is EXACTLY what it says a PEN for them to play in, keeps them safe and out of trouble.

I am sorry but uptight people like you are what makes this world such a pain to live in. All the "PC" crap. Let me inform you of a few things that might make life easier for you.

* It's ok to spank your kids, just don't abuse them.
* Teaching your kids manors and respect is a good thing. Try it some time.
* They are KIDS, you are the PARENT, You are responsible for what they do.
* It's not funny when little billy says "Shit!" Pop their mouth and or wash it out with soap.
* Keeping your kids safe BY ANY MEANS is ok. this includes, but not limited to: Tethers, Leashes, Harnesses, Play Pens, Walkers, Bouncers, and anything else that will prevent the child from running off and getting hurt , taken, or into trouble.


Until most parents learn those and a few others facts of life, this world will never be any better off.

Wow, way to make stupid assumptions. No, my kid did not spend all his time in a stroller. He walked, holding a hand or was carried most of the time. We got rid of the stroller when he was 4. I didn't walk him on a damn leash because he's a PERSON. He deserves more respect than that and I WATCHED his little butt or held his hand. I don't hit people to get my way. Guess that makes me a terrible parent. His good manners, kind spirit and excellent grades are clear signs that my choosing attention over leashes did him serious harm.

[Theme Park Where]

I really think leashes or tethers are a personal choice depending on the parent's needs AND those of the child. I don't particularly care for either extreme in argument: that parents who use them are treating their children like "dogs" or that parents who don't use them are somehow not caring for or about their children. For some children, leashes are a terrific alternative to riding in a stroller or holding hands. When I was young, I didn't like to hold hands, but had a tendency to wander off. A leash gave me the freedom to feel like I was exploring on my own, but kept me from getting into trouble. I could be independent without really being independent. Other children don't mind holding hands and some even prefer holding onto an adult. Carrying a child, or keeping them confined to a stroller all the time can be limiting to a child, and can be tiring for a parent, but a combination of strollers, carrying, hand holding and yes, even leashes for the independent child can make the theme park experience more enjoyable for everyone. A parent who uses a leash or tether isn't treating their child like a pet; they're giving their child freedom to explore safely on their own. A parent who chooses not to use a leash or tether is most likely using other means to do the same thing; whether it's vocal commands, hand holding, stroller sitting, or whatever. Their child may work well within those means, while another may do better, or even be happier, on a tether. Only the adults put the "pet" stigma on a leash. Children don't.

[drcorey]

I'm a parent and I think they're awful. Lots of us manage to keep our kids safe without tying them to us. Sure, it's more work, but if I wanted to walk something on a leash, I'd get a dog.

but millions of japanese don't think so.
and I think thier kids are a little more behaved than our kids are. slightly...

[drcorey]

I really think leashes or tethers are a personal choice depending on the parent's needs AND those of the child. I don't particularly care for either extreme in argument: that parents who use them are treating their children like "dogs" or that parents who don't use them are somehow not caring for or about their children. For some children, leashes are a terrific alternative to riding in a stroller or holding hands. When I was young, I didn't like to hold hands, but had a tendency to wander off. A leash gave me the freedom to feel like I was exploring on my own, but kept me from getting into trouble. I could be independent without really being independent. Other children don't mind holding hands and some even prefer holding onto an adult. Carrying a child, or keeping them confined to a stroller all the time can be limiting to a child, and can be tiring for a parent, but a combination of strollers, carrying, hand holding and yes, even leashes for the independent child can make the theme park experience more enjoyable for everyone. A parent who uses a leash or tether isn't treating their child like a pet; they're giving their child freedom to explore safely on their own. A parent who chooses not to use a leash or tether is most likely using other means to do the same thing; whether it's vocal commands, hand holding, stroller sitting, or whatever. Their child may work well within those means, while another may do better, or even be happier, on a tether. Only the adults put the "pet" stigma on a leash. Children don't.

and those huge familys in the parks can really use kiddy velcro.
hmm, maybe not, think of the terror they can cause...

[SRT_GB]

Our son didn't last too long with the leash/tether. Fortunately they now sell leashes where the part that goes over the child is a teddy bear, or a puppy, or a monkey. We bought the puppy one and put it on him whenever he didn't want to sit in the stroller. The way I saw it, it was an extra layer of protection to hand-holding and keeping an eye on him. The strap portion was detachable and most of the time we had it tucked away. When we did attach it the loop went over my wrist while I held his hand. Very useful and reassuring for the 15 seconds I had to take my eye off him and let go of his hand, for instance when paying for something at the mall. We rarely let him walk ahead on the leash like a dog simply because if people would run into a 3 foot tall kid (they still do), they would definitely trip over a 4 foot long strap. Ultimately we stopped using it for this reason and because he stopped trying to walk away from us.

The way I see it the leashes are fine as long as they are used for their intended purpose - as a supplement, not a substitute, for proper supervision. I also don't agree with using it like a dog leash to drag the child around like the white trash SG family I saw when I worked at the Stroller Shop who yanked their kids out of the DLR strollers by the leashes - while they were still strapped into the strollers!

[TechieSidhe]

I'm kinda ambivalent when I see the kid leashes. (It just sounds wrong.) I can understand why parents use them. Kinda like behavioural modification. "Okay, since you don't want to stay where you're told, I am going to have to make you." I can understand why kids like to wander at Disney. There's just so much to see and do that they get excited. I know. I have ADD, and shiny things distract me, and I'm 30. :D:

It's parental control. I understand some kids just won't listen, and it's not fair to the kid's brothers and sisters when Mom and Dad have to stop every 15 seconds to play "Let's find Timmy," because he's wandered off again.

[Theme Park Where]

It goes beyond "behavior control" though. The implication you've made is that the leashes are somehow punishment for a child who wanders away or a means of avoiding having to work harder to keep ahold of a child in the park. That's not the intended use. Some children feel more freedom when walking alongside a parent without holding a hand. That's totally unsafe anywhere, but especially in a theme park situation. A tether allows the child to wander along without clutching a parent's hand but also without getting separated. The child may not have any problem staying alongside a parent normally, but the tether keeps them from getting separated by crowds or from getting distracted by the many sights and sounds in the park.

In my situation, it was a mixture of my curiousity and independence, coupled with the fact that my father is very tall and I can imagine it hurt my arm to keep hold of him all the time. The tether also allows a child to explore freely places where they aren't necessarily supposed to be connected to a parent (like a character greeting) but where they can easily become separated. They can hug, and interact with the parent while the parent continues to hold onto them from afar. And imagine how hot and sticky it gets holding hands long-term in 90+ degree Florida weather. A tether can give both the parent and the child a break from sweaty hand-holding.

I certainly don't fault a parent who doesn't use one, as long as they do keep control of their children and don't let them run wild. But the whole "pet" argument I must admit does bother me somewhat. The implication is that parents who use a tether think of THEIR children as pets - it has the indication of looking down on parents who use a tether as somehow not as attentive or caring as a parent who doesn't use one. That's simply not true and is rather demeaning to the parents who do use them. Parents who use a tether for their children are individuals, just as parents who don't use them are. A parent who uses a tether usually cares very much about their child, but wants them to be comfortable and safe in the park and finds that a tether does that job better than trying to maintain a handhold. A parent who doesn't use a tether also cares about their child, but finds that holding hands or keeping voice control over their child is the best way to keep track of them. In either case, some parents use poor judgement and either use the tether to avoid actually watching the child, or just avoid watching the child without use of a tether. Either way, they aren't "parenting" the child but merely accompanying them to the park. But lumping anyone who does or does not use a tether on their child in with those "non-parents" is not fair.

[Syndrome]

This reminds me of the whole debate on using a playpen vs. playpens being cruel/evil/Satan's work on earth. I suppose you could even liken a playpen to a dog crate if you want to keep up the child/pet comparisons.

Actually I have no opinion either way. I wasn't tethered as a kid, but I spent time in a playpen and I don't think it had too many ill effects...or at least none that wouldn't have shown up anyway. ;)