Today, I'd like to talk about something that most people think is silly.
The kid leash.
I'm sure a lot of you have made fun of this little product, but you know what? It has a purpose. A purpose that can save you from being kidnapped, and I should know because one of these bad boys saved me.
When I was 3 years old, my dad was stationed in Okinawa and my mom was traveling alone, with two kids, two large surfboards and luggage, and the usual two arms to meet him there. We were in LAX which can get pretty busy, and busy it was, so she put me on a kid leash since I was a walker and most likely to stray. We're walking along to our terminal and all of the sudden my mom feels a strong tug and turns to see a man holding me. He was straight up trying to kidnap me. She freaked and he ran and we spent the following hours with the police and missing our flight. I don't think he was ever caught.
If it weren't for that leash, who knows where I'd be today..
So you can be damn certain that if I'm ever in a situation where I'm alone, with multiple kids, a crowd and only my two eyes and arms.. I MIGHT BE THAT MOM WITH THE KID LEASH.
♥
So you can be damn certain that if I'm ever in a situation where I'm alone, with multiple kids, a crowd and only my two eyes and arms.. I MIGHT BE THAT MOM WITH THE KID LEASH.
♥
WOW.
ReplyDeleteI have one for Rowyn. I don't really care what other people have to say about it. When it comes down to it I'd much rather have my child safe and sound here with me and be looked at funny for her wearing it than have some loon steal her.
ReplyDeletedang, I NEVER thought of it that way. I'm so glad that you had that leash on!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that's insane!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, while I may laugh a bit about them, I do believe in leashes. My mom had us all on one at some point.
that's pretty scary... i used to be so opposed to the "leash", but it certainly has its advantages. it helped dom's grandpa when they are walking (also known as sprinting/dashing) around the mall together.
ReplyDeleteWe're in Oki. :) What branch did your father serve in?
ReplyDeleteI never thought of the safety aspect of a kiddo leash - a big positive right there!
That is scary.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand the leash as I was lost from my mom ALL the time. It's definitely funny to see a kid on a leash, but being a new mom of 3 under 3 there is a very real possibility I will be purchasing one soon.
dude, i feel the same way! i'm like, why would anyone judge someone for keeping their kid safe? i mean, kids are snatched up when people aren't looking all the time! i see people pushing strollers with babies and then have their toddler/young kid on a kid leash attached to their strollers all the time and i think it's an awesome idea.
ReplyDeletethat is craziness! what a great thing that your mom had you on the leash! i can't even imagine that whole scenario! CRAZY.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big supporter of those kid leases and had one for my son when he was smaller. I say whatever makes the parent feel more safe and secure for their kid more power to em!
ReplyDeleteThat is so scary! I have been on the fence about kid leashes, my daughter isn't old enough yet. Your post is definitely swaying me towards getting one. I think I can live with the stares if it keeps my baby safe.
ReplyDeleteI totally get the kid leash for highly populated areas and a walker! The kid is happy roaming, and parents know they are happy knowing they are still holding onto there little one.
ReplyDeleteWow! :( I completely understand and support kid leashes!
ReplyDeletei turned my back for one second and my oldest almost ran off when she was 2. so...all my kids were on the 'leash' at some point or another.
ReplyDeleteisn't it scary! kid leash supporter for life! for real.. ;o)
ReplyDeleteOur Island Outlook: my dad was a marine for 22 years ;o)
Uh wow! That is crazy. Eep! So glad you were on that leash!! xo.
ReplyDeleteit it wasn't for the leash my mom would have probably gone crazy. Me at 14 months and newborn twin sisters all at the same time. I'm totally using one with my future kids!
ReplyDeleteOh the KID LEASH!!
ReplyDeleteI suppose perhaps I shouldn't make fun of it either, since I'm sure someday I'll have multiple kidlets and no father in sight (as he'll probably be deployed).
Still, though... I don't know. I'm not sure if I could bring myself to use it.
Yowzas! My cousin gave us one because she would useone with her daughter but I haven't busted it out in public yet. This made me re-think using it...
ReplyDeleteI'm totally gonna be a leash momma!!!
ReplyDeleteI travel for work and being in airports I see the struggles that parents go through with even one child...for that reason I *never* judge parents that use these leashes. Places like the airport are a dangerous place to be with kids, and whatever you need to do to keep a kid safe is by far alright with me!
ReplyDeleteI ABSOLUTELY will use a kid leash when Henry is mobile. People can judge, but I couldn't care less...I'm just going to feel better knowing he is safe and sound!
ReplyDeleteps. Your story is scary...I'm so glad that didn't happen :/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtMRddAIHx0
ReplyDeleteAs long as nothing like that ever happens, you should be in the clear! :)
Wow! I have never thought of it like that before. That is so true! When I have kids I will def be getting one for those busy times. You can never be too careful!
ReplyDeleteI am getting one once my daughter starts walking. Everyone I know is against them,but they didn't carry her for 9 months so they can't say Sh**
ReplyDeleteJack has a backpack with an attached leash. it has a buckle around the front AND it fits about 3 diapers, wipes, and a snack. pro leash for real!
ReplyDeleteWhen you're a Mama you gotta do what you gotta do. LOVE Okinawa. Grew up in Japan myself with a military Dad. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks to him for his service. :)
ReplyDeleteI never even thought of it that way! I just didn't think of it before lol. I'd look at the people with kids leashes and think...wow! that must be so easier than trying to keep hold on a wandering toddler.
ReplyDeleteThe other day at the mall, it took 2.0 seconds for Nolan to dart to the front of the store we were in. Thank goodness I was right behind him.
I don't get why there's such a stigma against kid leashes. I think they're a great way to let your child have some freedom without the scary (and very real) possibility of someone coming up and grabbing them. I'll definitely be using one when we have our baby and it's old enough to walk...
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything wrong with them. My brother and I had them as kids for the very same reasons. We were both toddlers who were on the go and it saved us countless times! I fully support any parent who chooses to use this method as an additional safety precaution.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I LOVE your reassurance on this issue because I got one for my daughter (for peace of mind because of the psychos out there) when we recently traveled to Hawaii. Airports are crazy places! It was a cute monkey leash, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow thats a good eye opener! I know my mom had one for my brother bc he was the youngest and always trying to get into everything, he didn't mind it when we were kids
ReplyDeletewow. you're so right about the leash. especially with two kids. that would be so awful if something had actually happened.
ReplyDeletethat is incredibly creepy and reminds me of that michelle pfeiffer movie where her son gets kidnapped! oh great, I'm probably having nightmares tonight. however, I have seen moms yank their children on the leashes, hard enough to where the kids fall backwards. :(
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica! I'm a new follower here. I just want to let you know I have found myself looking forward to your new posts all the time.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion about the kid leash set aside from the reasons you have already mentioned...isn't better to let them run around and get some exercise while safely attached to you than to lock them up in a stroller?....just a thought :)
Wow, for this very reason M will be on a leash. So glad you're ok!!
ReplyDeleteokay I always thought the kid leash was creepy cause every time I saw someone who had their kid on one it made me think of a dog but your story makes me paranoid and now I would totally use one if I had to!! so fing scary!
ReplyDeleteIm so glad you touched on this subject. When I was younger we went to an Sea World in San Deigo. My younger brother who was 2.5/3 yrs old at the time climbed out of the stroller and took off while the 2 adults where head couting the rest of the kids. Which took all of two seconds. My mom paniced they locked down the whole park. All we knew was he had a blue ballon attached to his arm. It took us and hour to find the lil guy. We later found him in the Shark exibit. He said the man took me to see sharks mommy. We never found the guy or if there really was a guy but after that my mom swore by the 'Kid Leash'
ReplyDeleteI myself have a 2yr old active son now and I have and still do at times use the kid leash. Its the back pack one that you can fit a few diapers in maybe a snack. I know they may look funny but people can judge all they want. I know Im doing my best as a parent to keep him safe.
Thanks for being so open about this. To many people judge others when they are just doing there job as parents to keep kid out of harm.
I dont have any kids of my own but have worked as a nanny for years for the same family. I have always made fun of them but recently started using this pink back-pack leash thing on the one year old and I LOVE IT!! It really makes it easier to keep an eye on two little girls being alone! They are amazing!! I will even post a picture for you taken yesterday on my blog! Love!
ReplyDeletePS. Thanks for sharing!