[blparent] Child leashes and other thoughts

[Leanne Merren]

I don't use a leash in every situation either.  Just if I'm really worried 
about her getting away from me in a dangerous situation, such as the airport 
or by a busy street.  I always have a sound source on my toddlers, no matter 
where we are, except at home.  I am lost if my child doesn't have bells or 
squeaky shoes on when we are out.  I figure it's just like a sighted parent 
not having their child within their sight.  It makes me nervous if I can't 
hear where my child is.  I refuse to pin them to my side when other kids are 
playing, so if it's a safe environment, I will let her go and play, as long 
as I know where she is and what she's doing.  On playgrounds, you have to be 
careful of moving swings and there usually aren't fences to keep the child 
contained to the area, so I stay right with my kids on playgrounds.  But at 
doctor's offices where there are play structures and things I let them play.
While we're on the subject, I posted a while ago about taking my toddler to 
a gymnastics class where parents participate, and I talked about how to 
attach bells to her...  Well I found a solution that is working well, so 
thought I would share.  My daughter has a couple of pairs of stretchy pants 
that have belt loops, so I have attached the bells to the loops with zip 
ties.  I do it on the side, where she isn't likely to roll on them, plus 
she's always on a padded surface so I don't expect it will be a problem if 
she does.  They've never bothered her a bit though, and I can always know 
where she is, even if she jumps into the foam pit.  I tried a hair tie with 
bells on it around her ankle, but that came off too easily in the pit, so 
this is a much better solution.
Leanne
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karla Hudson" <HudsonKC at msu.edu>
To: <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 5:32 PM
Subject: [blparent] Child leashes and other thoughts


> Hi,
>
> I have watched the posts about child leashes. I used one with my daughter 
> if
> she wanted to push her doll stroller around the neighborhood which 
> required
> two hands on her stroller. Other than that I found the leashes would pull
> her over as she was so light. I really believe bells are the answer. Both 
> my
> kids have warn them on their shoes. I like them as they are a constant
> sound. Also, as a parent you have to just always be following your kids 
> more
> than the sighted parents. I have played on more playgrounds sliding down
> slides and climbing on head banging equipment than most parents. The
> important thing is to not fall in to the trap that others are watching 
> your
> child. If my kids do not mind me at the playground we go home. I have also
> brought a whistle to the playground and told the children that they must
> listen for my whistle and that means come to me.
>
> As they get older it gets easier to make them check in with you and follow
> directions.
>
> Karla
>
>
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