Do You Put Your Child on a Leash?

I’ve seen the products. They used to be a pretty plain leash-like thing that attached to a wrist. Now they have fun backpacks that look like teddy bears or monkeys.

I am blessed (or cursed, depending on who you ask) that my 16-month is a late walker, but he’s started taking his first steps and running can’t be far behind, I’m told.

My hope is that he will be manageable and I won’t have to resort to a leash, no matter how cute the teddy bear is, but I know some people have found that they need a way to keep their child safe.

“I am now leashing another child. My first child a girl never ran away, but the two boys are bolters. My first son, now 7 and leash free would run out of a store into the street-no amount of scolding or physical punishment made any difference. It was better to leash than for him to get hurt. His younger brother-now 2-is worse. He runs and he runs fast. If you try to hold hands he will twist and throw himself on the ground or bite your hand until you let go." one BabyCenter Member wrote in response to a question about how to teach a toddler to stay close.

My hope is that I will have more luck with the teaching and not have to resort to a leash.

What have you found is the best method of keeping your child safe? Share your thoughts in the comments section.