since he started walking over christmas, sam's ridiculous powers of locomotion have really been chugging along (ooh sorry couldn't resist). he's happiest when walking, and really strains against the stroller and car-seat. he doesn't mind sitting in a cart, as long as we're walking quickly. if i pause to look at labels, he's frustrated.
but on his feet, he's such a happy little walker. last week i took him to the mall in the morning, when it was pretty empty. he had a blast walking the entire length of the mall twice. because there weren't too many people, he pretty much wandered free-range (i herded him away from stores and shaky old people). he was blissful, and slept like a stone at night.
this week, march break, i knew the mall would be crowded, so today i popped online to find a harness-leashy thing for sam.
the sheer blast of internet fury made my hair stand on end.
apparently, using harnesses or leashes is inhumane. instead of letting our kids get exercise, we should (and i quote), "contain them in a stroller, a cart, or at least their parents' arms." parents who use harnesses are "herding their children like mindless cattle" and/or "refusing to teach them self-control."
really, all i wanted was a means of letting the little guy spend some energy without getting so far away from me that he could be grabbed by smarmy mall-creeps. his ability to walk far exceeds his capacity for exercising self-control, and i don't think it's cruel to let him do what he loves while i keep him safe.
oh internet.
you're turning me into a rantaholic.
somebody get me a leash ;).
I am all for the leash! In fact, I have even used it on a Sunday morning to keep Allegra confined to our small area of the pews! (plus it keeps her from crawling under!) The one time we didn't use it at the mall, she grabbed something ceramic from Stocks and smashed it on the floor! I've seen a couple of the backpack ones at Value Village recently. If I come across one again, I'll pick it up for you :) Andrea
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you on the leash! Let the boy exercise within the safe perimeters of mama who is not too far away! I would consider constraining him to the stroller more inhumane in Sam's case because I know how super muscular and active he needs to be!
ReplyDeleteGo Sam go!!
love, Grandmama xoxox
I have one for Mac that wears like a school bag and is really cute. They are very handy. IT's just hard to teach a boy how to heel. Just kidding!!
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