I used to think of a young child in a walking harness (strap) as looking like you were walking your dog. Then when my youngest son who was very active was little and we lived in Ca and at that time, there were a lot of kidnappings of little blue eyed, blonde haired kids, that someone distracted them for a second while someone else ran off with thier kid, well, I changed my mind and my son (the fourth) went into an wrist strap. It was better than him ending up on a milk carton. When my grandson was little, even though it was really rough on me due to back reasons, I carried him in a carseat, I have a siezure disorder and if I went down, I'd rather him be in the carseat with some protection than in my arms where he could get severly hurt. I've only had 4 in over 20 yrs but not guarntee I won't have another or some other problem. The point is, we don't know why people make the choices they do, rather its put their kids in daycare or our loved ones in a nursing home. I used to run a daycare and I know at least one mom who was a much better parent because she got that break away from her very hyper 2 yr old. I'd rather not ever be put in a nursing home but not at the expense of my kids hardships if that was the option. Life is hard and we all have to make hard decisions but have to remember that some have no other choice.
I agree that children don't get enough outside time, but then neither do adults according to the rapid rise in Vit D defency. I pray that no one suffers at the decisions that some one else makes on their part but it does happen; Unfortunetly. My grandkids have all the computer games etc, but they are limited on them and never if thier behavior and grades are up to what they should be.
Sorry for going on. Its just that I wanted to say not to judge without knowing why people do what they do. Rather we agree or not.