When our family was planning our trip to the beach, I went back and forth on if I want to purchase one of those child harnesses for Avery or not.
Hear me out. Before I had a child of my own, I always thought it was so animalistic to put a leash on your child. How could people do that?! Until I had a son of my own.
My son Avery is so adventurous and loves exploring. At the age of one, he’s already the type of kid that will jump into the swimming pool without warning, run off into a crowd of people if put him down to walk, and scale a dresser like a cat stuck in a tree.
In the past, we didn’t venture out a lot but now that we do, Avery’s need for exploration can sometimes make me really worried.
Putting Avery on a baby harness or leash is conflicting because on the one hand I want to raise him to be free to roam about and discover. Some most smartest people in the world often say how they spent most their entire adulthood trying to unlearn rules and societal norms.
Children are operating at a genius level between the ages of 0-4. After that, it becomes memorable that they are told no, don’t do this and that and it stunts their curiosity and discovery. I don’t want that for Avery. But I also want him to be safe so deciding on whether or not to harness him was a very tough call for me to make. For now, I’m not going to harness or leash him but the option is not totally off the table.
Even though the idea of leashing a child was once bad to me, these were my juvenile thoughts in my early 20s. What I’ve learned is to never pass judgement on other Mommies and Daddies and how they parent their children.
Each child is completely different with their own challenges and obstacles. You never know why parents have made the decisions they have made, even if you ask them, so don’t judge them. The reason why I say even if you ask them is because I notice that most people aren’t able to clearly articulate their actions. Sometimes is may be an internal instinct, something from within that is guiding them. Everything cannot be clearly verbalized. So your best bet is to trust that each and every Mommy and Daddy you encounter is doing the best that they can. Unless you know for a fact that there is something up, then you call DFACS on them!
Just The Kings 
I vividly remember when my best firiend and I went to the park, she pull out a leash for her son and I was so disgusted!! I couldn’t believe it! I thought “how could you leash your own child!!!!” This was BEFORE I had kids of my own, Now I thank God for it!!!! Especially having a toddler and an infant! When I take my daughter out, I don’t want her stuck in a stroller the entire time and don’t want the risk of her running and hurting herself, or getting away from me!! That is my worst fear! As a parent, you want to make sure your kids are safe!!! This gives them the opportunity to explore but also keep them safe. I’ve only had to use one a few times, and my daughter actually liked it. I did feel uncomfortable the first time, because I didn’t want to be judged, but within seconds those feelings were chucked in the f@*k it bucket, and we were both happy with the secured freedom she had.
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Kelley thank you so much for your honesty!! I feel like this is one of those taboo topics that only Moms understand. I too didn’t understand why people would leash their kids. But now that I have one of my own I totally get it. Their safety is FAR more important than the rolling eyes and judgment that you’ll get from others. I am seriously thinking of getting Avery a leash really soon. Every time we leave the house I wish I had one but the shame continues to prevent me from getting one. Isn’t that crazy?
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