This weekend has provided several opportunities for me to debate the child-on-a-leash decision.
1. Went to Barnes and Noble to buy a baby shower gift. Knew what I wanted but still had to look around for the items. In that short time, Miss F continually wandered off. Trying to pay was difficult, too, as she was all over the place and/or screaming while I tried to hold her hand or hold her on my hip. Finally the woman behind me was kind enough to hold Miss F's hand so I could use mine to sign the slip. This woman, myself and the check-out guy debated the child-on-a-leash. Both said it was a good idea....me...?!?..not sure yet.
2. The zoo. Miss F wants to run free. I want her to run free so I get a good, long nap out of her. She doesn't quite have walking in a straight line down so she's all over the place, in and out of legs, narrowly missing getting run over by wagons and strollers. Today I had her hold on to the stroller and walk beside me (holding the hand is hard on the back as I have to bend over the whole time plus navigate the stroller one-handed). It worked about 80% of the time. We'd probably both been happier if I'd ditched the stroller and put her on a leash.
But...I always said I'd never put my kid on a leash. I also said I'd never let my kid tear up a Barnes and Noble (I put it all back in correct alphabetical order, Mr. Teenage Stock Boy, I promise) or get into everyone's way and run wild. Which 'I never will let my child ______' do I stick by and which do I let go? Maybe I'll try the hang onto the stroller thing one more time before making my decision. I think that's what Molly would do (when wondering what to do with a child in public places, I refer to my own parents' methods and that of Molly, my daycare mom--who better than someone that corraled 8 toddlers at the beach/museum/pumpkin patch). She used to make them 'hold up the car' (keep their hands on the outside of the car so they didn't wander into traffic--therefore, pretending to 'hold up the car') so hold onto the stroller seems to make sense to me.
Miss F got her first haircut (pictures in a day or two--you know, the digital is dead now), we ran errands and went to the zoo. Mr. B got a big tool box. I fulfilled my bulk shopping urge at CostCo. All in all, a good weekend.
1 comment:
Yeah, I feel kind of the same way, I've never been a big fan of the leash but have encoutered times when it would have been handy. At the zoo, I would ditch the stroller and maybe wear a backpack (I don't know if you have one), that way you are free to chase her but can put her in it if she's tired and needs a rest. At B&N, I would probably have started out with her in the stroller to avoid any issues, had plenty of snacks/toys to keep her occupied, and gotten my stuff done and out of there as soon as possible. You could attach a ribbon to the stroller handle and teach her that she always needs to hold on to the ribbon, that way she can only get so far away from you, and if she lets go then she has to ride in the stroller (she might be a little young to understand this, I don't know, but definetely as she get's closer to two, this is a good idea). I think it does help to prep them for what is expected of them before things happen. On the way to the zoo I tell George that he needs to stay where he can see me and no running, otherwise he will have to ride in the stroller, it does seem to help.
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