Toddler Harness.......why so controlversial??

Thanks all - I agree!

The other thing about these that are great is that kids, esp toddlers LOVE their independence. The second they are able to stand upright and put one foot in front of the other they are off...a harness give them that independence with the safety they are clueless about.

Same person that bitches about a child on a harness is the same wingnut that will bitch about the screaming child who is trying desperately to get mom or dad to let go of the death grip had on their hand to keep them close.

Opinions are like assholes and assholes have a lot of opinions...

Are you kidding me, harnesses are (in my mind) one of the best inventions ever. This of course from the woman who doesn't have one, lol. 
It's a personal choice, and only yours to make. As kay said, people will criticize you for anything (and i love that analogy). Personally, I find most of those critics are either A) small minded, or B) childless, orrrrr C) don't have the common sense God gave lettuce. 
MOST open minded parents even those who don't choose to use a harness on an over-active toddler, can still see the reasoning behind using one and don't have a problem with those who choose to utilize them.

Why the controversy?  I think because some people think that, as they told you, it seems to them that it dehumanizes and demeans a human being and makes them appear to be an animal.  These folks seem to think that it might be somehow damaging to one's self worth and esteem putting a child in one.  That's why it's controversial...now as to MY opinion regarding their use...

I would rather parents kept overactive children on these tethers than not.  How many parents...and I mean good parents who pay attention to their child, not the irresponsible ones that pay absolutely no attention to their children, mind you...get distracted for a second and turn to find their children gone?  As Vlady described, it's a horrible feeling that I can only imagine.  If a tether prevents children from wandering too far and gives the parents piece of mind, then I say it's a wonderful thing, not the abomination some folks make it out to be.

I also like them, on a personal note, because children on tethers do not run amok.  One of my biggest pet peeves, when I worked in a drug store, long ago, was parents that allowed their children to go through and throw toys (or other items of interest) from the shelf to the floor...I'm not talking about them shopping for other items and oblivious to their kids destroying the store, though that did irk me sometimes too, no I'm talking about the parents who SAT THERE AND WATCHED IT HAPPEN and thought it was cute.  I don't support torture, but in this case, I would make an exception for waterboarding!!!  It was cases like this that I thought that child leash laws should be mandatory!!!

This is a great question, because you do hear more people with an opinion on child harnesses, when it's no longer appropriate to breast feed, how many children a person should have than you ever hear people talking about real child abuse and what we can do to stop it.

There is a great Farside cartoon that always made me laugh, it's a person standing next to the devil in front of two doors, one says "Do" and one says "Don't"  and the devils saying "Com'on, Com'on make up your mind!"

Be the best parent you can be and do what is right for you and your kids and don't weigh yourself down with others opinions.

They do look cruel and bad parentish, until you become a parent, and it will not last long, they learn to stay close.  I remember looking for one of daughters, it is a terrifying momenent.  By the time time time they were 3-5 they knew how far away to get.  Don't worry about the uppity comments.  Keep the kid safe, it's a messed up world, the good parents care.

My daughter LOVES her harness - she puts it on and wears it around the house, hell I think she'd sleep in the damn thing if I let her...it's same as yours, a panda bear with a leash./tail -

I've gotten those comments - funny story to go along with it...

We were at the food court, me and the entire brood and the little one was bouncing along, my son was holding the tail when a woman made a snide remark about him acting like he was walking his dog as she passed - he spun around and said to her - "yeah, well you better watch out because mom forgot her muzzle and she bites on command if we promise her a french fry...SIC HER H...!!! I had to laugh even harder than I already was because that rude woman actually started to walk faster as if she believed him. Leave it to my son...

They actually LOOKED like leashes when they first came out I was a bit put off, but with all the cute things they do now - I get them as gifts to new parents I know.

I have a funny story regarding a harness.  My ex was in the military and when my two children were very little he was assigned to go to Germany.  He had to get there before we had housing available to us so we (the girls and I) were to fly over later.  My oldest was 2 yrs old and my youngest was 6 mos.  My oldest had a tendency to wander away and I couldn't chance it at the airport.  My cousin had a harness that she used for her daughter and gave it to me.  We got to the airport and I put the harness my daughter so she wouldn't wander away.  She looked up at me with all her two year old wide eyed innocence and said.  "Mommy, I a doggie?"  Well that was the only time she wore the harness.  My daughter, (the same one that I had a harness for) now has a 2 yr old and she bought a harness for her two yr old.   I'm not sure how often she has used it.  If your son is fine with it and it gives you peace of mind.  Go for it. 
Melaine

I think I would take the rude comments as opposed to making the news for a an abducted child.   I think it's a great idea to give you peace of mind and safety for your child....

I would respond with "Oh look how sad, you don't know how to mind your own business."

I have one child that would never leave my side and the other who would bolt in an instant.  I used one, got the same rude comments, but she's a healthy 16 year old now.  Didn't lose her once.  People comment on things they just don't have a right too.

Congratulations on being a good mother!

I hated the idea of putting one of those things on my little girl. All I needed was one time for me to lose her for about 15 minutes. I ran up and down the mall like a maniac crying out her name.

I was hysterical. Not a pretty site, so my dear put the thing on her and   better to have piece of mind than worrying yourself silly.

Ignore them.

People will criticize you for wearing a red dress on a Monday so don't let other peoples nasty comments deter you. You should have barked like a dog when that woman made that comment. That would have been hilarious.
Just shrug it off. Some people are assholes.

Ana, you are a loving, caring, responsible parent for using a harness.  I started using them after my child bolted and ran into traffic.  Would you put your child in a car without a car seat?  A high chair without a strap?  A lake without a life jacket?  Then why would you go into a busy shopping center without a way to keep your child safe? 

People who make comments like that are uninformed.  And pedophiles absolutely hate them.

Good idea. A lost toddler could be a far worse thing, yes? 

Why does anyone think they have a right to tell you how to care for your children?

People say a lot of stupid things. Ignore them. I went to a polo match this weekend and was amazed at how rude people can be. I pretend not to hear them.

If I were witty, I'd be like winston Churchill. At a party a woman said to him, 'Sir, you're drunk'. He said, 'Yes, but tomorrow I'll be sober and you'll still be ugly.'