Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

My 2 yo is my wild man. He doesn't want to be in the stroller and has figured out how to get himself out of it. He is a very strong willed child and a runner. Thank God he is cute because he is a nightmare sometimes!

We are headed to Disney and, I can't even believe I am saying this, but I am thinking of getting him one of those leash things. I am so afraid of losing him!

Here's my issue...obviously safety is paramount to everything but I know leashes are very controversial. Before I had kids and had a runner, I was also very judgmental of them. Personally, I am not the type of person who can or will tolerate dirty looks or comments and I can be a real hot head. I have been reading reviews where people say they work great but they are subjected to some nasty comments, etc. I don't want to deal with that on my vacation but I don't know what alternatives I have.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Or experience with the leash?

Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

I had a bungee cord looking thing that I got on Amazon that went around my wrist and my daughter's wrist with velcro. When fully stretched out, it gave her about 6 feet of freedom. Think of them as extended handcuffs. Worked great. I actually preferred it to the leash because it was hands free for me -- I didn't have to hold on to anything.

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

I always judged them, too, but you know what? It's better to be judged than to lose your kid. Now that I'm a parent, I get it. Anyone who judges you can go screw themselves.

I have a runner, too. I combat it by keeping her out of theme parks, zoos, basically anywhere fun

Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

I wouldn’t let the concern about comments and/or looks get in the way of keeping your child safe. You do what feels right. Screw everyone else

Message edited 10/19/2017 11:39:44 PM.

Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

My daughter use to run away- I bought her a harness with a “leash” it is plain black nylon- I bought it at buy buy baby- I do not care abound any one’s opinions- watching my (then) two year old race up the fence to the rhinos at the Bronx Zoo in seconds before I could grab her made the choice easy for me.

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

Posted by LuckyStar

I always judged them, too, but you know what? It's better to be judged than to lose your kid. Now that I'm a parent, I get it. Anyone who judges you can go screw themselves.

I have a runner, too. I combat it by keeping her out of theme parks, zoos, basically anywhere fun

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

Definitely do what you need to do to keep him safe! In addition to your ideas, You may also want to consider a baby carrier for when you're in lines (no strollers allowed). When we went to Disney, I went to petco (lol, talk about a request for no judgment!) and had little charms made with our cells on it -one side said mom (123)456-7890 and the other side dad with his #. No identifying into other than our cells, and we attached it to her sandal. We got cute little pink hearts. Disney staff is trained to examine a lost child for such contact info. Also, bring lots of things to keep him entertained/corralled!

Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

do what you need to do!! get a wrist band thing or leash if you feel you would be comfortable. People are going to judge you no matter what!! If he's on a leash, they'll judge you for "leashing" him. AND if he's running around crazy or gets lost, they'll judge you for not paying enough attention to him. You can't win either way, so just do what you think will work best for you guys and let you have the best time!!!

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

Get this

It's not a leash, it's a bungee cord between your two wrists.

You can also do any of the following:
-on etsy get a "if lost please call...." decal to put on his magic band.
-get safety tats (temp tattoos with your contact info for his arm)

- bring snacks. Lollipops did the trick for us.

He might surprise you. There's so much going on at Disney that he may just sit in the stroller and watch.

For us it was waiting in lines that dd2 would want to wander. She never went far and thankfully we never waited in long lines.

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

Last time I went to Disney my son was 2. I got the backpack leash. Yes... I too judged those parents, but then I became a parent. Leash is better than loosing your child there!
It was a cute backpack that had the leash. DS mostly stayed in the stroller when we walked around, but he knew if he wanted to walk around he had to put on the backpack. We even put some stuffed animals in there, snacks and small toys so he knew it was his and made him like it more so he didn't mind wearing it.

backpack

Also, bring lots of snacks,, change of clothes, etc. Tell him he has to stay in the stroller and give him some snacks. you'll never get across the park fast enough if he's walking. LOL

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

No one is going to judge you at Disney, because I see people using them all the time!

Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

I had a backpack harness for my 3 almost 4 year old at Disney last year and I got many compliments from other park goers. They would walk by and say "great job mom for keeping your child safe" or "good for you looking out for your kid". Of course there are some nasty looks but whatever, your kid is safe. And we kept a few little things in there so he felt like he was carrying his own stuff. Some snacks and stuff. I didn't feel safe with the wrist ones because my son would have ripped the Velcro right off. It is also a lot of walking so he will get tired and want to sit in The stroller. I didn't think my son would want to but thankfully we brought the stroller because he sat in it more often than not.

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

I have the animal backpack with the long tail leash. It's cute and my kid loves it. Plus it holds stuff lol. I know people say they are controversial, but I have never gotten any sort of negative feedback for using it. When I first got it, I was prepared to curse out anyone that had a snide comment or a dirty look, it's never happened though and I use it all the time. I actually have parents come up to me and ask where I bought it (babies r us for anyone interested lol). It looks like this one but it's a lion:

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

Message edited 10/20/2017 10:13:31 AM.

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

You are all making me feel so much better. Thank you! I think I might get both just to have and I can try them out as needed.

Also, thank you to the PP who posted about the dog tags (no judgment here!) and the tatoos. Great ideas for all of my kids. Thank you!

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

We have the wrist thing as well, and will be using this on my son when we go on a cruise in december- he needs to be a free man

My son learned how to get out of the back pack leash

Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

I saw a ton of leashes used at Disney.

Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

I use a harness leash for my 6 year old. Daily. No matter where we go. He is ASD and a runner. Don't like it, tough poop. I have lost him more than once. I have left stores with him kicking and screaming. And to the parents who judge me, spend an hour in my shoes when my son is at his worst.Then feel free to judge.

You do what you need to do to keep your child safe.

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

There's a reason they sell and make these products. If you need it, take advantage.

People judge everything. If he's running and you are screaming, chasing him, you will be judged. Or if god forbid he gets lost or hurt, people say "where was his mother, why wasn't she watching him"

Point is, you can't win. So the only answer is don't play the game.

Do what is best for your family and don't think twice. It's hard but protecting his safety is GOOD parenting.

It will be hot, crowded and long days. this will give you peace of mind and freedom to enjoy your trip. Please don't let others deprive you of that.

Enjoy! You're a great mom.

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

We were down in Disney last December I saw a ton of leashes- honestly if my child was a flight risk I would do it. I couldn't imagine the terror of thinking for one minute I couldn't find my kid in a place that gets as crowded as Disney does.

Have a great trip!!!

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

Leash/backpack would be the way I’d go. No way I’d let me 2 year walk in Disney. I’d start him off in the stroller and if he won’t sit hook him up to the leash.

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

Honestly, how is it different than strapping your kid into a stroller? Kid will actually get more exercise.

I used one for my 2 year old and have seen one just a few minutes ago. I always smile and tell the parent I used one too.

It gets easier... but why risk it? My neighbor’s kindergarten kid got lost at Disney. Not worth it.

Message edited 10/21/2017 11:04:21 AM.

Re: Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

Suggestions for maintaining my 2 yo at Disney

Who cares what anyone thinks? You'll never see them again. Your child's safety is #1!!!!