cathyvv

We did, too!

Pat M.

All of my children were raised in a playpen, the cat loved to join them when they were in it. He even got in it when they started walking to get away from them.

kay carlson

Our fraternal twins were born in 1980 when the older boy was four years old. I had two harnesses and they helped me bring my children places safely. One Sunday afternoon, the local Mother of Twins Club was having a family picnic at the County Zoo just a few miles from Green Bay, WI. We were out walking on a paved path when a woman (not a lady) came up to me and said using the harnesses was like treating my children as if they were dogs. I was alone with my three children at the time. The woman was with a younger mother and they were guiding two children. Sometimes, you just do want you need to to keep children safe! By the way, we L-O-V-E our dogs.....

svenskaflicka1

i'm of the group that used harness/leash, "safety lines" wrist-to wrist, and playpens with the kids. the leash/harness gives the toddlers the illusion of freedom, while we still know exactly where they are. we used the safety line with our youngest when we were at disney world--we called it her "lifeline"--and she was free to wander as far as it went; she had the confidence that we were nearby. the playpen did the same thing--the little ones had the freedom to play as long as they wanted to and could just crash and sleep when they needed to. it was all designed to keep them safe, and us sane. it was so much easier to fix dinner or clean when they were in sight, but safe from any harm around them. it never meant we turned our backs on them--it just gave us back our hands. neither we nor the kidlets had to freak out about danger. different world, back then, i guess. but, i do the same "lifeline" thing with the 6 year old granddaughter--she is extremely motivated to learn and explore, but loves the safety of knowing where we are. too many dangers to the little ones out there, for us to relax at any time. being an interested, participating parent should not be dictated by how "free" the kids are. it should be an integral part of who we are as parents in the first place. and safety should be our first concern.

littlebitoheaven

I used a playpen for my children born in the late 50s and early 60s. My second baby was born when my son was 11 months old. Baby girl was a cryer. cried all the time. First baby loved the playpen. He would play, drink his bottle and sleep there. Wake up and play some more. Sounds awful but it helped me through those first few months. Remember the old saying, "Better to be safe than sorry!" So true for us grand and great grandparents. My step daughter once told me that most children's accidents happen at their grandparents house. Nice! It didn't stop her from leaving her son with us for 5 or 6 weeks at the cabin. LOL. We need all the help we can get. Children and grandchildren and great grandchildren are such a blessing and having a safe place is such a comfort. My new great granddaughter is 5 months old and she already wants to jump out of my arms. Gonna be fun!!!

mjhaess

Can't be too careful with those little ones...They are speedy....

mumzer

I know what you are talking about. You can take them outside also. So handy when you can't watch them all the time. Back in the 60"s we had what was called a play pen. Sounds funny but it came in real handy when you had to run down to the basement to take clothes from washer and put in the dryer. We had a pot belly stove in the basement that kept the house warn all winter. I never would have been able to put him down for fear of him burning himself. I also had a gate that I would put in the kitchen door way. He could walk around and play with pots and pans while I did dishes and cooked. Better to be safe then sorry.

mjsylvstr

my youngest is now 50 and we live along the coast. One day at the beach, i mentioned to a close friend (also our family doctor) that i would like to get a harness as this one was a wanderer and he promptly informed me that he would have to report me...
It was even a "no-no" back then around these parts.

I agree with you, it would have made life a lot easier and i do believe, a lot safer....but one can't fight city hall !!!!!!!!!!!!

Reba'squilts

Our two year old grandchildren, fraternal twins, stay at our home and RV frequently. For long periods of time. They are much too agile to contain in the enclosure anymore. Woe is me!!! We do use the leash system with the stuffed animal backpacks for our sanity and their safety when walking near the river or at Disney. I am 66 years older then them. They have the advantage when it comes to running! Sometimes we have to infringe on their freedom a little bit to protect them. Some people out in the world always have to criticize. We love these little persons way to much to not prevent them from harm. Two year olds are walking accidents anyway!!! Thank goodness they bring their mom or both parents most of the time!

Annaquilts

The twins are only 7 but they used their harnesses till they out grew them. Just recently when going to the fair they asked if they could wear them. they don't fit them any more but I think it brought back good memories.They loved their freedom in it. Many people use these harnesses on their children. Now they look like little back packs, we had a doggie and a monkey back pack from Target. They snap over the front and the tail is the leash. I see them all over especially at the fair etc. Most people comment on how cute the back packs are and do not really notice the leash. If they do the comments were positive overall. I'll be washing them up for my soon to be 1 year old grand daughter. My SIL and DD asked if I still had the monkey harness.