[blparent] Leashes (was resource list)

Tue May 29 16:20:46 UTC 2012

You apologized--thank you--but in the next sentence you repeated the same 
thing you said before, which you had just apologized for.

I am not
> saying you are not good parents, but as good parents we should be able
> to find better ways of keeping our kids in tow besides using products
> made for animals.

As good parents, many of us have used leashes to help keep our toddlers 
close to us and out of dangerous situations.  The leashes, contrary to what 
you said, are not made for animals.  They are made for small children. 
Typically, the child wears a backpack that looks like a dog or a monkey, or 
some other cuddly stuffed animal.  A short, soft leash hooks onto the 
backpack, and you hold the other end on your wrist or in your hand.  That 
way, the child can learn to walk with you and still have his hands free.  As 
your fourteen-month-old gets more mobile, and wanting more freedom, and as 
the safety concerns mount when he can run from you--and they all try it, 
believe me--you may understand why many of us, precisely because we are good 
parents, chose to use leashes.

If you never use a leash, I'm fine with that.  I don't know you, nor do I 
know what your plans are to keep your son safe as he begins to walk, run, 
climb, and show no fear or judgment.  Actually, I would be very interested 
in hearing about your non-leash strategies to this situation.  What I do 
have a problem with is that you apologize in one sentence, and in the next 
you're already saying, yet again, that good parents should be able to find 
different options.  So those of us who chose not to find different 
options--and again, I'm eager to hear what you think those options might 
be--are not good parents.

Thank you,
Jo Elizabeth

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a 
song."  Maya Angelou

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Amanda Matheny" <mommyzhuuraan at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 10:09 AM
To: "Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Leashes (was resource list)

> That did not come across as it sounded. I do apologize. I am not
> saying you are not good parents, but as good parents we should be able
> to find better ways of keeping our kids in tow besides using products
> made for animals. Just my opinion. I apologize if I am not a master of
> stating things tactfully and came across as rude or anything. That was
> not my intention and my friends know that, while I am very
> opinionated, I never mean any offense. Since you guys just barely met
> me, you have no way of knowing what I'm like, but I assure you I am
> not the type of offensive person I may have come across as on here. To
> each his own really, I just personally have a serious aversion to the
> things, but whatever. Not trying to be nasty though. I hope I can be
> forgiven and will try harder to hold my tongue, or in this case
> fingers, when talking to a bunch of strangers.
>
> On 5/29/12, Jo Elizabeth Pinto <jopinto at msn.com> wrote:
>> So then you're coming on this list as a new member and saying that the 
>> vast
>>
>> majority of us, who have raised children through toddlerhood to school 
>> age
>> and beyond, and who used leashes either regularly or occasionally as
>> situations arose, are not good parents.  Step carefully, my dear.
>>
>> Jo Elizabeth
>>
>> "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a
>> song."  Maya Angelou
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Amanda Matheny" <mommyzhuuraan at gmail.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 9:44 AM
>> To: "Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [blparent] resource list
>>
>>> I will never think a leash is okay for a child. A good parent will
>>> find better ways to keep their kid under control besides restraining
>>> them wih something like that. Leashes are for animals, not children!
>>>
>>> On 5/29/12, Jo Elizabeth Pinto <jopinto at msn.com> wrote:
>>>> Sorry, but you may think it's less cruel as your kid gets older and
>>>> wants
>>>> more freedom.  The leash isn't to make your child into a dog, it's to
>>>> help
>>>> your child stay near you without holding on his hand every second, 
>>>> while
>>>> he's young and easily distracted.  Believe me, the leash is far less
>>>> cruel
>>>> than having your kid run off into the street or into some other
>>>> dangerous
>>>> situation, or having to keep him glued to your hand when he wants some
>>>> room
>>>>
>>>> to explore.
>>>>
>>>> Jo Elizabeth
>>>>
>>>> "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has 
>>>> a
>>>> song."  Maya Angelou
>>>>
>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>> From: "Amanda Matheny" <mommyzhuuraan at gmail.com>
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 9:26 AM
>>>> To: "Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Subject: Re: [blparent] resource list
>>>>
>>>>> Ewww, leashes! I hate when people put their kids on a leash like an
>>>>> animal! Sorry, but that's just WRONG!
>>>>>
>>>>> Just saw that in the list and had to comment. I'm not usually so
>>>>> bitter about something, but I've seen it before and happen to think
>>>>> it's cruel.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 5/29/12, jan wright <jan.wrightfamily5 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> OK,
>>>>>> I think I'll start keeping these messages in a file so that  when
>>>>>> people ask about leashes or harnesses or child locators or bells or
>>>>>> squeezy spoons, I'll have a listing for them.
>>>>>> It probably won't be as fancy as someone else's and honestly, it 
>>>>>> would
>>>>>> be a good idea to start having such resources on hand: (maybe at the
>>>>>> nfb website) for blind parents.
>>>>>> But, until that happens, a good text resource list is a good idea.
>>>>>> But, before I start: has anyone already done this?????
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Amanda Matheny
>>>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/zhuuraanpub or, if you think you know me
>>>>> well enough, request my private twitter username.
>>>>> Website coming soon!
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Amanda Matheny
>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/zhuuraanpub or, if you think you know me
>>> well enough, request my private twitter username.
>>> Website coming soon!
>>>
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>>
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>
>
> -- 
> Amanda Matheny
> Twitter: http://twitter.com/zhuuraanpub or, if you think you know me
> well enough, request my private twitter username.
> Website coming soon!
>
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