4Real Forums: Dashing Toddler Help...Safety Hints?

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Topic: Dashing Toddler Help...Safety Hints?

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JennGM
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
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Posts: 17702

Posted: Aug 09 2005 at 6:34pm \| IP Logged

My little son has only one speed -- fast. He runs everywhere. Now I've had a few occasions where I didn't have him in stroller, hands full, and he just darted or dashed off. Today, after a few hours in the ER for a cut in the head (also due to his speed) I was searching for keys, dropped his hand for a second and he darted almost into the car path. I already had enough adrenaline rush for the day....

So...this might be a touchy subject, but for my peace of mind and his safety I was considering some kind of harness for when we are out and I need him by my side. I saw this one online Little Safety Harness. I know there are the kinds on the wrist, too.

Anyone have any recommendations?

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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to

& ds1

'03 & ds2

'07
Family in Feast and Feria

ALmom
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Joined: May 18 2005
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Posts: 3299

Posted: Aug 09 2005 at 8:25pm \| IP Logged

Jenn,

We can identify. When our now almost 3 yo was about 16 - 18 months, we had a trip to DC which, in our family, always involves riding on the metrorail. I had nightmares about being seperated, etc. The child's eye-hand coordination and foot speed are tremendous - my eyes were giving me trouble, I'm a clutz and I certainly couldn't run that fast or keep up with him while keeping an eye on all the other children. He never stayed in a stroller, either, as he was a perfect Houdini. He even knew how to wiggle out of the car seat - which we finally broke by immediately pulling over until he was calm and rebuckled as car seats are non-negotiable. Sitting parked in a hot car was great motivation. (Our car's air doesn't work well unless the car is moving).

Oops - I've rambled, but to make a long story, short. Yes, we did use a harness for him on the DC trip. I found a cheap one at Babies R Us or some similiar store. We called it his astronaut suit and he loved it. It helps that he had seen things slightly resembling the pattern in the Space and Rocket Center where astronauts were being trained. A wrist band would never have worked as it had to be something that could be connected behind the back so that he couldn't undo it. It was totally untraumatic for him and it certainly relieved us!!

The only caution I have, is that it won't work very long as he figured out how to undo it shortly after we got back so I couldn't use it as we negotiated parking lots. Our solution then was to use the stroller to carry the junk and I carried him until he was trained enough to stay by me or I had older children to help hold hands. He was less resistant to hand holding if he held on to an older sibling or if older siblings also held hands!

We wish you the best!

Janet

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