[DeerMother]

Yes they will sit in the stroller for a while. Then they want to get out and walk. Who can blame them? Walking is fun. I'm sick of always waiting for another adult to go somewhere. . . we have fun things to do!

Today we went to a park w/ another mama and her dc. It came time to feel the geese. both babies out of stroller, chased dd as she was running towards the pond having no idea where ds was and he got pecked on the head by a goose. He was with the other mama but her hands were full w/ her ds and my ds is fine, it didn't hurt or phase him.

Do they help? Or will they still go in opposite directions and we'll just be attatched? Could I devise my own using a caribeaner (rock climbing clip) and a few leads thus clipping each one to a belt loop?

I have some hesitations about them, please share.

 

[Gena 22]

Emily, it's uncanny. We're considering the same thing. I went ahead and bought two that look like horses where the tail becomes the lead. They're pretty cute. We tried them for the first time a couple days ago. The girls weren't huge fans. It was like the Mike Meyers skit. They would run and get caught and fall on their butts. Then get pretty pissed about it. What Izzy really wanted was to wear the horse and hold the tail herself. She's hilarious.

I don't see them working out as a mainstay, but there may be times we want to use them, so will keep practicing so they're not a total surprise. For now anyway, it looks like it might be tough for one adult to control 2 kids, which was why I got them. Maybe with more experience.

Anyone else BTDT?

Poor DS, attacked by the goose. Glad he wasn't put off by it!

 

[mamaeliz]

Our friend with twins got the backpack leashes, and short of walking the twins directly next to him through a crowded airport, or something of the like, he said they were useless. It seems like designing your own might work great!

 

[MyPeanuts]

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[OGirlieMama]

We had the backpack type - a doggie and a bear, where the parent holds the tail. On the one hand, they were useful because it gave me a sense of having a grip (literally) on them. On the other hand, with new walkers, I don't know how much practical help the leash offers. Mine were pretty cooperative in that early stage and never really have been bolters. But if one of them had tried to run off and I held tight to the leash, I think she'd have fallen down and gotten hurt! And tying them to each other would just be a bad scene - think pinball, except with falling toddlers.

I think the leash works with kids like mine, who generally aren't going to run away, don't really want to hold hands, but need a little tangible reminder that they shouldn't take off on their own.

 

[Lovemy3babies]

See, My twins are 3 and have never been runners. They are content, will sit next to me, I can take them to the mall with nothing but myself and they will walk with me and stay close. However, my 2 year old is a crazy man

He will dart in front of cars if given the chance, he has NO fear. NONE. He is gone in like .2 seconds if I blink. It scares me. So tonight, I bought a harness/leash. I am trying it out at a Maple syrup festival saturday lol. We shall see how it works. I was one of those people who before kids said it was horrible, ugly and mean to do. Now I have a kid i feel the need to PROTECT and he doesnt want to be strapped down to a seat, he want to walk, so I feel this is perfect. I am protecting him, and he can walk!

 

[Double Dip]

We had the cute Monkey backpack harnesses (and go tnothing but positive responses from them BTW)

When dh and I were together we held their hands as a rule - they could walk and hold a hand or be in the stroller - no exceptions. They got used to this and were not ones to "run" away or go in different directions but when alone I worried too about their safety if say going into the parking lot with just me and I had groceries to carry or library books to return, etc.

When I was alone for a short period (around 15-22 months I think), I used them if I didn't want to drag out the stroller. Most of the time, I held their hands but also had the "leash" in my hand too. I guess I was nervous about parking lots and I felt like they helped them practice the behavior I expected and allowed them more freedom.

Around 22 months I was able to use them differently and loved that too. I would take the leash only with a carabeener clip and if they wanted out of the stroller I'd clip it to the stroller and they had to hold the handle to walk or get back in the stroller. For grocery shopping, I'd clip it to the cart and they'd have to hold the handle or be in the cart. I only used thi suntil it seemed unnecessay and we sold our stroller when they were 30 months old and never looked back. They are so good about holding my hand in parking lots, staying close to me at the mall, or zoo or grocery store. I think having the harness backpacks helped us acheive this and ENJOY outings. We were/are ALWAYS on the go and looking for the next adventure. I think you IF can use them for training the behavior that is safe and then get rid of them they are well worth it in the long run for safe kids and a calm mama!

 

[royaloakmi]

I used leashes for a period of about four months when my kids were so enamored with walking and running that they simply would not use the stroller or hold my hand. (It was about 14 months to 18 months).

For me it was totally a safety issue, but I actually felt like it gave them a greater sense of independence because they were so focused on walking that they felt like they were doing it on their own.

During that period, I totally drilled them on holding my hand while crossing streets, holding the stroller/grocery cart, keep one hand on the car while I'm unloading everyone, and other "stay close to me" kinda rules. They gladly went back to the stroller when they were done with their walking developmental frenzy and we still follow all the same safety rules today. They are 5 yo.

I still have mine and would be happy to pass them on, just PM me and I can mail them to you

 

[Intertwined]

I'm considering it too, as my twins are starting to toddle. We'll see how it goes. Isabella is only 2.5 and she's a RUNNER, just like Erika's. She WILL run directly in front of cars and has done it in the past. She's getting better but no where NEAR as good as she could be. Right now, Ben is happy to ride in my backpack but we'll see how long that lasts....

 

[dknees]

My twins aren't walking yet, but we used one with my 4yo, and loved it. I always hate the idea of them before I had kids. however, my little guy is VERY curious and this allowed him to explore a bit without getting hurt or lost.

 

[DiannaK]

I used one with my 3 year old, and hated it. I felt like I was trying to walk a bad puppy! Grr!

:

Good luck ... I have no advice ....