Monday, April 19, 2010

New pictures at the bottom.


Multiples and More - Question of the Week

How do you feel about child harnesses?

My boys are still not walking but I very much intend to use them. In fact, today I went on the hunt for the cute backpack type ones (didn't find the ones I wanted, search still on). The boys will be walking soon though and I think there will be times where they will be necessary.
Nathan is independent and inquisitive. We go to play group and the minute he hits the floor, he's off exploring, anywhere and everywhere. Corwyn stays with me, and while he has no interest in crawling, I expect he will be walking in the not too distant future.
There are two of them and only one of me. I want them to be able to go farther than my hand in some situations, but I also want them to stay safe while they do. At the same time, I want to teach them to stay close and come back when called. If all goes well, we wont need the harnesses for long.
I know there are those that consider them wrong. But I look at it the same way I do childproofing the home. I don't want them to learn that putting your finger in a socket Inst safe by getting electrocuted, any more than I want them to learn to stay close by running into traffic.
When I had my dogs, they were very well trained. We went to off leash parks and they always stayed close and came back when called. But when we were on the streets they were on leashes. They could sometimes get excited or scared and might dash into the road. I'm not saying my kids are like dogs, but at this age, they are at a similar development level (scientists actually say that dogs have the intelligence of the average 2 year old).

How about you? How do you feel about child harnesses?

■Do you use them? Why or why not?
■How do your kids react to them?
■Do you think they are an example of laziness, or simply concern over your child's safety?
■If you are against them, do you think it's more acceptable for a parent of multiples to use them?
■Do you think negatively of other parents that use them?





1 comment:

K J and the kids said...

Cute cute pictures. Cute.
I haven't ever owned them. Not because I didn't want them. I think it was because I was too lazy :)
Our friends let us borrow theirs in D-land. Nathan was fine, Ryan was freaked out.
I think if you use them, start early so they don't act like a dog with tape on it's feet.

I think when they VERY first came out....people thought it was child abuse. Treating a child like a pet. Now after having them around for a while and realizing their importance I don't think people look down on them.