Who are these Critters you speak of?

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

A Taboo Subject for Parents of Multiples


I guess you all can gather what this post is about. Let me start off by saying that this is not to offend anyone and if you choose to use a tethering device for you child that is your decision. I have been thinking about this for a while, especially with three children who like to run now (usually in opposite directions). I can tell you all that both Rian and I have resisted in using leashes with the Critters. Oh, we own them. They are cleverly disguised as monkeys and dogs. However, their current use is as a stuffed animals that stay in the car. It may just be us but I just can't seem to get past the idea that leashes are for dogs. I will say that I have seen some strange things on leashes, cats, ferrets, and bunnies come to mind. I just can't see myself saying 'hey honey, let's go for a walk, don't forget to get the kid's leashes.'


It's still a leash.


I don't even know where to start with this.

We have taken the kids many places both with a stroller and without. Rian and I even venture out by ourselves with the kids. Actually, Rian does it quite often. She has just gotten the Critters to the point that they will hold hands with each other. I can tell you I called BS on this until I actually saw them do it, and they did it well. No misbehaving, no running out into traffic. Don't get me wrong, we still have devices that will keep the Critters contained when we go out in public, we just choose to use the Choo Choo Wagon. (Possibly the greatest device ever for parents of multiples.) I just keep getting this picture of myself looking like one of those dog walkers in NYC with a gaggle of dogs in tow. I could just see the Critters getting tangled up every two seconds in the leashes.


Explain the difference to me in these two pictures?

So let me flip this on you all, do you use leashes? Why?

Chris

3 comments:

  1. Like you, we owned the leashes but never used them. We tried it once but it seemed to have the opposite effect - they behaved worse!

    One good argument I heard FOR leashes is that it helps give younger walkers a chance to walk and remain safe. An 18 month old might not be able to listen to commands. At the same time, some get very frustrated in the stroller, being strapped in and unable to walk around. Is the stroller so much better than a leash? I'm not sure.

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  2. I don't see anything wrong with them. They're just so hard to use! So I never did. They loved wearing them around the house, though, but as soon as I clipped on the tail, they freaked out. Heh. I'm with you on the choo choo. Best invention ever!

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  3. My husband and I bought one for our son when we went to Disney, with the thought that we would rather have him out and exploring some of the time rather than being a passive observer. We didn't end up using it though, because he never ended up running off at all. He held our hand, open-mouthed, too transfixed on the goings on to want to run. I could see, though, how in places like Disney those things could be really helpful. Small people lack all impulse control and would ride Dumbo with just about anyone to whom they could run.

    I also ran a preschool and we had one of those long ropes with handles (not restraint straps or harnesses. that's illegal in preschools), and when we took the kids on field trips, it worked nicely.

    The wagons are wicked cool, and I love the photos of you and the kiddos using them.

    best!
    karen

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