[blparent] leashes and harnesses

[Veronica Smith]

The only time I ever used ours was in a busy airport, most of the time Gab
just held my hand or my belt loop.

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Erin Rumer
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 3:50 PM
To: 'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] leashes and harnesses

Hello,

I have two different harnesses right now.  I have one that has a lamb
backpack on the back and a spot to hook a soft leash.  The second kind I
have is a plane harness with a spot to hook a leash on the back just like
with the lamb one and I use this one more because we're in Arizona and the
lamb backpack can get hot quickly.  I find times though when I like my son
using the backpack style one like when it's cool out and-or when I'd like
him to carry a light snack that would be easy to get to.  I use the leash at
times but prefer not to if I can help it because I find that with my 15
month old the slightest pressure on either of our parts can unintentionally
knock him down.  When I use the leash I find that the shorter I keep the
leash the easier it is to control the tension and less likely my son is to
be accidently pulled down.  This is something that will be remedied with
time and strength-stability as he grows.  Something I do use all the time
though even when my sighted husband is around is a bell on the back clip of
the harness where the leash is meant to be attached.  I live in a gated
subdivision and so I can walk around inside the gates with my son each day
and hear exactly where he is as we walk along.  I use a cane then to not
only keep myself safe but also to check how far my son is from the curb or
how close a cactus is to my son.  The cane can be it's own hazard though so
one must be careful not to get the cane between baby's legs or in front of
him where it can be a tripping hazard.  We haven't had any face-plants so
far thankfully.  It's really cute though because my son walks along and
wants to use the cane like mommy does which makes the neighbors all giggle.
Something to add about the bell is that it also helps people in the public.
We took our son to the zoo on Sunday and as he walked along people heard the
bell and looked down to where he was walking where they probably wouldn't
have been looking that low otherwise.  This is an additional safety feature
that is an added bonus.

Hope this helps.

Erin

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Lisamaria Martinez
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 3:29 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: [blparent] leashes and harnesses

Hi All,

So, I ordered two wrist-to-wrist leashes the other day. My hubby and I
purchased a leash attached to a harness with a cute little elephant on top.
But, I have some questions though.

Anyone prefer a certain type of leash/harness?

I think I'll prefer the wrist leashes but purchased a harness with an animal
on it because I might want my son's hands free to play and what not.

We checked out reviews online about Jeep brand harnesses and they had bad
reviews. Apparently, the leash hooks to the top of the harness so if the kid
spins around they get their necks wrapped up. Anyone like any brand that
won't strangle my kid?

Also, what do you all think of the harnesses that are just a plain harness,
no backpack, no cute animal?

Thanks for any commentary. I like to accessorize so I see myself and my son
using a few different leashes/harnesses.

Regards,
LM

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