| On the surface, putting a toddler on a leash seems like | | | | a child curious about the world around you and eager |
| such a degrading thing to do to a child. It seems almost | | | | to see, touch, feel, hear and taste it, would you rather |
| as if these parents are treating their children as little | | | | be bound to a parent or guardian by a string attached |
| better than dogs. Indeed, that is a common view to | | | | to your hand or be strapped into a stroller? For isn't |
| adopt especially for individuals do not have children and | | | | that the other purpose of a stroller? To keep toddlers |
| have never had to fear losing a child at a public venue. | | | | from wandering off on their own so parents can focus |
| To put a little more perspective to this view, let's look | | | | their attention onto other things? |
| at the reasoning behind toddler leashes and how it | | | | Being stuck in a stroller would be terribly frustrating to |
| compares with other child restraining devices. | | | | a toddler whose urge is to pick up the pebble on the |
| Why Do We Need Toddler Leashes? | | | | grass, touch the flowers in a garden, or do any of the |
| Toddlers are little explorers. They love to examine | | | | myriad of activities that toddlers do to satisfy their |
| new things and often pay very little regard as to the | | | | curiosity. While some toddlers might be happy to sit in |
| whereabouts of Mummy or Daddy when they are in | | | | a stroller on occasion, all toddlers, at some point, will |
| the midst of an important discovery. Toddler leashes | | | | desire to be free to move around on their own. From |
| fulfill a toddler's need to continue the quest to learn | | | | a psychological point of view, it would be preferable to |
| everything possible about the strange new world | | | | allow a toddler some freedom of movement with a |
| around him (or her) while helping to keep him (or her) | | | | toddler leash than to leave him (or her) screaming and |
| within the reach and relative security of a parent. | | | | crying in stroller. |
| If you are a parent or if you have ever had to watch | | | | The purpose of many child restraining devices, such as |
| over a toddler, you may recall that it only takes a | | | | the car seat, is to keep a child safe. Some toddlers do |
| moment of distraction for a toddler to disappear from | | | | not agree with them and many dislike using them, |
| sight. In a crowded shopping mall with distractions | | | | however, parents still use them because it is |
| abound, losing a child is a very real and frightening | | | | necessary. Would that not also describe the function |
| possibility. Not only is it extremely distressing for a | | | | of a toddler leash - to keep toddlers safe? Even if the |
| parent to lose a child at a busy venue, it is also a | | | | concern for child kidnapping is irrelevant, a toddler who |
| traumatic experience for the child (once the child has | | | | is lost without adult supervision is in greater danger of |
| discovered he has lost his parents), and a hassle for | | | | getting hurt. |
| security to assist in the search for the child. In countries | | | | Conclusion |
| where child abductions are a real concern, toddler | | | | Toddler leashes provide parents with another option |
| leashes on roaming children becomes a critical | | | | for keeping their toddlers safe and within reach. |
| requirement. | | | | Considering the nature and need for a toddler to |
| Are Leashes Really Any Different to Other Child | | | | wander, a toddler leash fulfills both parent's and |
| Restraining Devices? | | | | toddler's requirements. Toddlers are free to roam |
| The main issue with toddler leashes is the idea that a | | | | (within reason) and parents are not tasked with the |
| child is being treated like an animal. However, let's | | | | duty of keeping their eyes on their child one hundred |
| examine this from a toddler's perspective. If you were | | | | per cent of the time. |