I think all moms can relate with me on this... I had a huge list of things I swore I'd never do as a parent. Several things were included on this including pacifiers (which we all know how that turned out!). One of the many things was Toddler Leashes. I HATED them. With a passion to be exact. I thought they were inhumane and treating toddlers like dogs. I can assure I no longer feel any of those feelings anymore.
However, once again there are things you just to not know you will attempt with your kids until you are actually a parent. Once you have kids, half that list goes right out the window! (don't even get me started on birth plans!!) I had promised myself to not look at parents differently for certain things they may be doing with their child because it very well could be for a reason! After the first Zoo trip we went on last month, I finally understood!
There comes a time in a toddlers little life where sitting in the stroller for long periods of time or being held just doesn't cut it. They want to run & explore. Of course add this with a VERY busy and crowded venue and it equals a mess & potentially dangerous situation (not trying to dramatize this but seriously, it could). She doesn't want to sit in the stroller consistently but she also wants to RUN and as much as we, as parents, think we can catch them or keep up with them... we are really just kidding ourselves. The small feet and legs of a toddler can move fast and be pretty exhausting.
So on zoo trip #2, the first thing I did was buy a toddler leash. I'll admit (and part of this could just be me justifying it further to myself and my former subjective mind) they look a lot better these days. Hailey's is a money backpack with a leash coming out of the bottom. It goes over her shoulders and snaps around her waist.
Hailey LOVES her backpack (bag-gak as she pronounced it). It took a little persuasion but in the end, she accepted it with no problems. And it worked beautifully!! She was able to feel like she had some freedom and I felt like I still had some control (with a toddler?!? ya right! ha!).
Of course I had to take some pictures to document this (with the intention to blog about it too!).
At least its cute, right?? And of course she makes it look darling!! ;)
