I am beginning to discover a topic that ignites as much drama and opinion as breastfeeding: putting your kid in a harness.
Also called reins (or leashes, depending on who you're talking to), most of them consist of a furry animal back-pack that has a strap that crosses the child's front as well, and a strap that a parent can hold on to. The one I found was even less obvious than that--just a simple chest harness with a strap that fits securely on my wrist.
Oh, the looks I have gotten from some people when I mention this. I've heard everything from, "why don't you get a dog if you want to walk something?" to "don't you trust your parenting skills enough to make your child listen to you?"
As a matter of fact, I do trust my parenting skills. Husband and I are raising an inquisitive, independent little boy who is learning to listen and follow directions. Does a one-year-old have the capability of always understanding and following directions? No. Does he have the capability of understanding the consequences if he doesn't stand where Mommy tells him? No. Is he strong? Yes. And so when we go out in public into a crowded place where I want Little Man to have the freedom to explore, the harness will be on.
But far more important than trusting my skills as a parent is my fear of my beautiful baby boy being scooped up by another person. It's not something I like to think about a lot, but its a sad and true fact: there are a lot of weird people out there.
Will I keeep my child in a harness until he's 12, like one harness-cynic asked me? No. It's merely a tool to use in those crowded, hectic places until Little Man can truly understand what it means to hold Mommy or Daddy's hand or to only go so far.
Until then, I'll be doing everything in my power to keep him safe and sound.
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