About a year ago I saw a toddler on a leash during story time. Whenever the kid started to wander off, his mom gave the leash a little tug and he fell down. It was kind of funny at the time, but it got me thinking. How many kids wander off and get hurt or killed running into traffic or get lost. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea in certain situations such as walking in crowds or along the street.

I purchased a “Harness Buddy” safety harness at Target. The leash had a harness with a cute stuffed dog backpack. I put it on Alex once or twice but did not really find it necessary at the time, because Alex was barely walking, and when he did walk he stuck to me like glue.

It’s amazing how much kids change in a year. Alex walks very well now and is gaining confidence about leaving my side. He will occasionally take off running or wander off to look at something, and I will have to chase him down. On my most recent trip to Reno, I decided it was time to put Alex on a leash again when we went to the airport. It was a good decision.

For the most part, Alex either had me carry him or rode on the carry-on suit case in the airport. The suit-case has a handle and wheels, and he likes to sit with a leg on either side of the handle while I pull it along. The suit case is not going to last forever this way (the stitches are already starting to come out), but it is well worth not having to carry Alex all the way through the airport or deal with a stroller. Our stroller is huge, so I never use it when I fly. I suppose I could purchase a small foldable stroller for travel, but Alex has never liked strollers, and he loves to ride on the suit case.

There were some times at the airport when Alex walked, and he did try to wander off more than once. My hands were pretty full, so having the leash around my arm was much easier and more comfortable then trying to constantly hold Alex’s hand. A slight tug on the leash did not result in him falling like the kid at story time, but it did keep him close to me. Plus Alex likes the cute dog on the backpack which serves as a stuffed animal for him to cuddle with and a little pillow on the plane. The backpack itself does not hold much, but it can be a good place to put fruit snacks or other treats.

I won’t be using the harness on Alex all the time. There are a lot of places that a leash wouldn’t work or would just be plain silly, like in the house and at Inflatable Kingdom, and holding hands works for most occasion. Still I can think of plenty of occasions where it will be nice to have the safety harness, like the airport and big busy festivals and fairs.

So next time your kid goes running off into a crowd or towards the street, think about getting a leash. It could make your life easier, and it could save your kid’s life.

-HL

Related posts:

1. Little Daredevils I just got home from a visit to my parents’...