Wrist Straps for Children

Wrist straps LOOK great... but the cause an awful lot of dislocated arms (the kid's arm dislocates as the take off and hit the end). Avoid the ER and CPS investigation, and get a harness.

I think it's safer to teach your child how to hold your hand. Otherwise you will need to keep him leashed every time, in every place, and he won't learn any boundaries.
My youngest also hated the stroller, we hardly ever used it once she started walking. But if she refused to hold my hand she got strapped back in the stroller, tight. She didn't like that at all, but it was not an option, if you walk, you hold mommy's hand. In the end she always chose to hold hands.
I hope this isn't a negative (?) suggestion, I just think it's SAFER :)

Well, this O. with a little harness certainly looks worth $15.
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

I think you know your child best and if he's a runner (my son was always very cautious, but I have a nephew that S-P-R-I-N-T-S any chance he gets, I would use it and not give a rip about what anyone else *thinks*, *says* or *does*! Your child's safety is more important than what anyone elses opinion might be.

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We got one at babies r us, don't know if they still carry them. The thing you have to be careful about with the wrist strap is pulling on it, you or him, can cause ligaments to pull out of place. This actually happened to my DD, just when daddy was holding her hand. She suddenly dropped to the floor and he didn't let go, pulled out a ligament in her elbow, but she kept saying her wrist hurt. The ER doc popped it right back in and she was good as new, and told us it's the most common childhood injury, but we had no idea it existed. Just thought I'd pass that along.

I've raised many little ones and not holding my hand is just not an option when they are that little. I don't care if the child doesn't like it or cuts up or acts ugly. Eventually they all get resolved with their fate and hold onto my hand. We do take strollers when we were going to fun places where a lot of walking may occur. It is helpful.

You must teach him to be obedient. I'm not a fan of any kind of leash for kids. Especially since teaching them requires some effort on our part but prepares them for other situations when they are not with you.

I realize you are asking a device question, but the truth is if he "refuses" to hold hands then you are in for a world of trouble. He is a child. He must hold hands at the mall or everywhere else. You need to teach him that is non-negotiable or you will regret it. He can't refuse, it is not safe, and if you let him wander now, he will come to assume that is okay.

I totally shared your view on the harness thing; however, I was in the same situation as you and needed to be sure that my little guy would be safe. I used it, I LOVED it, he was safe - sure I got some rude comments, because people are rude to a fault these days, but, bottom line, he was safe. I thought about the wrist strap, but the ones that I could find, he would have taken off in about the same amount of time as it took me to put it on.
Enjoy Disney!

I think the wrist wrap sounds like it could dislocate a shoulder if the child pulled one way and you pulled another.(so I'm all for the backpack)

Disneyworld is an environment where your first and foremost concern should be their safety -- so whether you usually like the backpack harness or not -- I'd definitely make an exception for this situation and all will be happy (kids actually think the backpack ones are cute -- especially if you get a Mickey one for the occasion ). Yes it's great if we can teach our children lots of things (like holding hands is best in big crowds) -- but he's 14 months old for goodness sakes --you're at Disneywold, he can't possibly understand what the issues are. And few 14 month olds could be compelled to hold a parents hand consistently for the endless hours you will be there (especially with all the distractions there). So the backpack seems the safest choice (you will see gazillions of them there -- used by conscientious mom's who never use them anywhere else) .

But I'd certainly be open to also using the strollers Disneyworld provides (and the backpack leash when he's walking). The strollers there are much bigger than an average stroller and he might like it more and feel its something of a ride. It's a big day there, and overwhelming for a little one. I wouldn't necessarily make this the day he needs to get his excercise -- I'd try both the stroller and when walking a backpack

I think a child harness is a great idea - better safe than sorry! However, my daughter got the wrist strap and found that my grandson just took it off! She ended up having to get the backpack kind so he couldn't take it off! Have great trip!!!

I tried the wrist strap.
It didn't work well.
The little escape artists can get them off faster than you would think.
When my son was a toddler he had some overalls with a handle built right in to the back of them.
It was so strong I could pick him up using the handle if I had to.
I attached a dog leash to the handle and we were good.
He couldn't reach around to undo it.

I totally get wanting your kid to walk and get excersize. I am the same way. However...you will be at Disney World. That place is crazy. I would bring the stroller and bring the wrist wrap. Here's the thing though...the wrist wrap is kind of like a leash too, isn't it?
So, I say keep your kid in the stroller and when he wants to get out put the wrist on.
L.

babies r us. but I used the "leash" cause mine would have just taken the wrist thing off. If you are going to get one make sure its not undoable. which means you are going to have to rig it so he can't take it off. if he can take it off your defeating your purpose.