January 3, 2002

  • Heehee, I just read Idolblonde's latest entry. All sterling advice but I have a confession:


    *whisper*


    I've used a toddler leash. Still do. My reasoning is this: It is better for my kid if she walks. I will stop and gaze at a speck on the sidewalk for as long as she wants. I will help her investigate crumply bits of paper on the ground for ages. I like it when we walk.


    But she doesn't want to hold my hand. If I try, she flings herself to the ground and does a horizontal flashdance. I am then reduced to either dragging her along by her arm (guaranteed to get disapproving stares) or waiting it out. She can keep this up for an hour.


    So since she hates the stroller (and so do I), we walk tethered together. Not always, just in places where her running off could cause her some danger. And before any of you tell me that she should learn to 'mind my voice', I agree, she should. However, she is not yet 2, and if any of you have a method to get an interested toddler away from a bright shiny motorbike parked beside a 3 lane road that doesn't involve giving her a whack - I'll listen. And don't get me started on people who whack their kids.


    The alternative is cooping her up in a stroller the way lots of mothers do. Seems to me that letting her walk, and learning to walk responsibly while still having a safety net is a reasonable way to go.


    And yeah, it does look awful. But I rationalise it like this - I love my kid much much more than I love my dog. But I leash my dog. And my dog comes to me 99% of the time when I call. And has enough sense not to run out into the road. But I'd rather be safe than sorry. Same with my kid -  only multiply that by about a million.


    When she's 3, I fully expect her to walk with me, holding my hand, sans leash. She is deigning to do so when we cross the street. And sometimes she'll even come to me when there's something much more interesting going on. So there's hope for us yet.


    Anyway, go read IdolBlonde. It's a good rant.

Comments (4)

  • I have a friend who lets their 18 month old walk into the street because they think he's too young to teach to stay out of the street.  I think you're doing a better job than that!  It certainly isn't hurting her or you!

  • I think we all have to do whatever it takes to keep our kids safe, depending on your local city's leash laws, of course.

  • Well, I do Poop and Scoop.

  • Your  rationale makes sense because your child is so young.  I would have felt out of control with Tara at the end of a leash, though.  Not knowing where she might end up before I had the chance to snap her back into her heeling position.  Feeling her grubby little hand in mine always gave me a better sense of her security.  Even during the times I was practically dragging her along (never whacking...).  It's a relief to read that you do scoop, though!

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