Child on a Leash

This weekend the family and I went along to an open day for the Guide Dogs for the Blind. There were dogs, owners, sun, fun, fairy floss and kids running about loving the fact that they were in a place where sleeping, eating and spending loads of time with dogs isn’t just fun, it’s the norm.

It seemed rather ironic that I saw many parents with their kids on leashes. I’m not talking about cute, fun guide dog replica leashes; I’m talking about full blown, child restraining, animalistic, barbaric demeaning kiddy collars. The fact these kiddy collars’ had rainbows and fairies on them didn’t detract the fact that these kids were getting the same treatment as some of the dogs on parade that day. In fact, I would say that guide dogs have it better. At least their mates are on leashes. These kids had to longingly watch a multitude of other children running around and having fun (like kids should AND being watched by responsible parents) while strapped to their parents who are too lazy or paranoid to let their kids have a little freedom. I saw one poor little girl trying so hard to get one of these things off her wrist; she was straining in effort and pain. How can a parent do this to a child?

As you have probably guessed, I don’t really agree with the whole idea of chaining your kids up for the sake of convenience. But before you vilify me and yell “off with his head” lets look at some of the reasons people use these things.

My child is a ‘runner’

Bullshit. All kids are runners. Granted, some like to run a little more than others, but the fact remains, YOU’RE AN ADULT. If you can’t outrun your 2 year old, then you either better be really old, disabled or injured. If you can’t catch up to your kid, perhaps the money you spent on that kiddy collar would have been better spent on a gym membership or a pair of walking shoes.

While you’re at it, your kid could probably do without that second helping of fairy floss, chips and coke, this might leave him a little calmer and willing to walk beside you.

I have to manage another child

Fair enough, but still no excuse. If you choose to have kids, make sure you have the appropriate tools at your disposal to ensure their safety. Double prams, holding hands, these all work fine. If your kid is old enough to run, they’re old enough to know that they ALWAYS hold mummy or daddy’s hand when they’re out and about. If you let your kid loose, then of course he will want to get out there and explore the world.

I have to go to crowded places and I’m scared of losing her

We have these things on the end of arms called hands. Over hundreds of thousands of years we have discovered that if you hold hands

• it’s nice
• it’s safe and
• if you hold on tight enough it’s hard to get away.

Some sites even give the safety of children, the deterrent to kidnappers and other (pretty pathetic) scare tactics as the main benefit of using these devices, thereby attempting to justify their use to parents.

I think it’s a huge cop out that some parents choose to give up the responsibility of being a parent, taking the easy route by strapping their kids down so they don’t have to run after them. It’s lazy, irresponsible and demeaning to the child. Kids are smart, if you manage them properly and keep your wits about you, there is no reason to use a kiddy collar!

Sure, if you are more interested in looking through shop windows or you are too lazy to actually be a parent and look after your kids, then by all means, use one of these devices. But if you are like the 90% of other people that actually make a conscious decision to look after themselves and their children properly I say, bravo to you!

So, over to you guys, what do you all think about kiddy collars?