Ever been to the zoo or the mall and seen someone with their toddler on a leash? It always makes me laugh, and at times (when my child runs off) I think "That person has it all figured out!"
Not that I would actually subject my children to something like this, but sometimes it has been seriously tempting! This last summer at the zoo out in Utah I saw a whole bunch of children on monkey leashes. Gracen is not fond of holding my hand, or staying in a stroller, or staying by me. Whenever I grab his hand, he turns into a limp noodle, flops on the floor, and won't move! A leash sounded pretty good that day!
Back when Brynlee was small, just after we moved to Des Moines, some of our family traveled out to visit us. We ventured up to Minneapolis to the Mall of America. I remember really wanting one of those leashes for Brynlee. Can't remember why I wanted it, but any time I see one it reminds me of that day!
Anyway, this past Friday we ventured out to the Cleveland zoo with a few friends. First stop was the aquatics and primates building. We walked in and I parked the stroller and let the kids out. Most of the time they were good, but there were a few times that Brynlee went one way and Gracen ran off the other (at least they were contained to the building!) I would track down Brynlee and then have to chase after Gracen. My thoughts wandered to those parents who were "smart" at the zoo and had their kids on a leash.
We had a great time. Got to see the animals more active than I have ever seen them at the zoo. The fire alarm went off in the aquatics and primates building and the apes and some kind of monkey went nuts! So much better than seeing them sleeping! We also got to see some snow leopards growling at each other, the lions, polar bears, and bears up and moving around. The best part was getting out of the house in good weather with awesome friends!
I don't think I ever will buy a leash for my children, but is it bad that at times the thought actually crosses my mind???
5 comments:
I don't own one yet. Key word is yet. I agree at times when I had just one child I thought they were cruel and unusual punishment for kids. But now being mother of three I wonder why I haven't gone out and bought one. Thankfully Isaac is still okay about the stroller, but he is fighting it more and more. Isaac and Gracen seem to have the same limp noodle routine going on...it drives me NUTS! Glad you got out for a bit, we are still frozen here.
I don't own one cause I can't justify buying it, but I tell you as soon as someone gives me one it will be put to good use!!
I am one of those crazy parents that put a leash on her kid. When Ayden was little he would not stay by my side or hold my hand and he HAD to RUN 100mph everywhere. I did it for my sanity and his safety. I got the horrible looks like I was so barbaric. But I knew I wasn't putting it on him to be mean. I literally was doing it to save his life. None of my other kids have needed it, although sometimes I wish I still had one. Wyatt on the other hand just might get me to buy another one. I think it makes them feel independent and yet you still know they can't go too far and get into too much.
LOL I don't think I will ever buy one either... it seems like torture, but the thought of my two boys running into opposite directions makes it really tempting to get one.
We've never had one either, but it is very tempting at times. My kids have just had to learn that there are certain times that they need to hold my hand for safety's sake. Zach used to always play limp noodle when I tried to hold his hand, too, but when I realized that he was finally old enough to reason with, I took full advantage of it. If I reminded him that it was to keep him safe from...cars, strangers, getting lost, etc., he would grudgingly hold my hand, and let go as soon as he could. Now he often is the one to reach for my hand when we are going somwhere that we usually need to hold hands. It does get better as they get older, I promise!
Post a Comment