One leash, hold the judgement

One of the most frequent points of contention about the child leash is judgment between parents and caregivers.

Leash users often describe feeling judged — whether directly, or silently — by other adults. As an early childhood educator, it’s possible you’ve been on either side of this judgment. But the leash can have valid applications in certain circumstances.

Each child develops at their own pace and in their own way. It’s impossible, from a passing glance in a shopping mall or on the sidewalk, to get a full and fair understanding of the relationship between any adult and child. Perhaps the child is dealing with sensory issues, and feels uncomfortable with the physical contact of holding hands. Or maybe the adult faces mobility issues, and the leash is the best way to stay close with the child while out in public.

As Neal explains, no passing stranger’s judgement on the leash is ever based on the full picture.

“I’ve never judged anyone using a child safety harness. I’m not going to tell you not to use it. Rather, I want you to think about if it’s the only thing you can do,” Neal says. “You should weigh the costs and benefits, you should figure out if your child is still learning the developmental skills you want them to learn, and understand the purpose behind what they’re doing.”

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. What’s most important is to recognize the leash as part of this balance between risk and safety, and how important that is for children. If you use a child leash, or if you’re discussing it with the parents at your center, take a moment to think about the why behind your choice — and if you’re making that choice for your own sake, or for the child.

It might just be a matter of convenience for you. But for the child, it shapes how they see and explore their world.