[cb2]

Just wondering if anyone had bought a childness harness (like a lead) purely for the purpose to use whilst on holidays and if you used it/thought it was the best thing you did?

Going on a holiday, paths are not pram user friendly and I have an active 2yr old who likes to get into everything and run around. Thought about if one of these harness/leads might be worth getting or any other suggestions apart don't really want to be carrying everywhere especially when hot
Thanks

[ekbaby]

I have used one, when travelling with a 20 month old, but didn't actually find it massively useful. It sounds silly but surprisingly having a lead doesn't actually make your child follow you and be compliant And it's not a good look yanking on a lead. So holding hands the old-fashioned way is still kind of neccessary.

It was semi-useful when going through airports etc as a back-up safety thing whilst trying to juggle multiple bags, documents etc.

Out and about we used a combination of baby-wearing (on the back- Ergo etc) and a very cheap $30 stroller (that didn't really matter if it got banged up a bit, and was light weight and easy to lift up gutters etc, or fold up and carry in one arm).

[mindy05]

When DS was 2 1/2, we went to Ireland on holiday. I bought one of those monkey backpack harnesses, as I knew getting through Heathrow would be challenging. Most people thought DS was cute, we were able to control our hand luggage and him, and for him it was another toy to play with on the plane. Best thing we ever bought.

[Domestic Goddess]

Yep, definitely found it useful and still find it useful. I bought one when DS was 15 months old and I took him to Europe for a few weeks. I also took the stroller along, but for short walks, the monkey backpack/lead was much more convenient.
At 2,5yo I ditched the stroller as he was too tall and heavy. I have been using the backpack every time w go to the shops. It's either that or have him run away. He did this once when I forgot the backpack and he nearly got run over by a bus

Now I make sure the backpack is always on the backseat next to his carseat. He really hates sitting in trolley seats, but he's over their weigh tlimit as well anyway.

[lovealpacas]

We are currently OS (hello from Phuket!) and before we came I got a wrist strap for 3yo DD, as I knew that navigating the narrow and crowded footpaths would be tricky, plus she doesn't always like to hold hands and Thais are very fond of little blonde girls (we know of attempted snatchings).

She's been good with it and we will use it again next year. She also has a puppy backpack lead but we prefer the wrist strap for Thailand as it is too hot for her to have the backpack on and she's a little too big for it now.

I bought both from a baby shop, the puppy backpack was $20, I think the wrist strap was about $10? The lead part of the wrist strap is elastic so it gives a bit which is also good.

[aleithaki]

I bought one and it was SO useful at the airport when we had already checked our pram in but we still had to walk a long way and stop for a coffee, etc.

We haven't used it that much since, but I'd also use it if I was going to a fete kind of environment with a big crowd and lots of places for a child to hide. More convenient than a pram in that kind of environment.

I was also thinking I might use it more when my new baby needs the pram, so I'll be able to keep a grip on my toddler as she walks beside. I love that it gives me a physical hold so I don't have to be constantly looking at her - I could still get distracted by a shop window and know that I can feel her near me. I find it more relaxing than letting her run loose.

We had to practice the technique of walking together for a while before I stopped accidentally pulling her over and annoying her....all good now, though. It works best if I give her a lot of freedom, with just a very gentle tug if I said a verbal 'stop' and she didn't listen.

[Domestic Goddess]

DS is 3yo and still loves his monkey. Gives it cuddles in the car and always asks if he can come with us when we go to the shops. Lots of people comment on the backpack saying "Oh look! You have a monkey on your back!"
DS still giggles when people say this to him lol