Reins - Do parents use them anymore?

[Lord Pikey]

Being a child of the 80's i remember reins being used a lot to keep control of your wayward spawn. How come you don’t see them used anymore?

We were out over the weekend exercising our 1 year old, letting him walk down the footpath with my hand holding his hood. So with my back aching I began to think how come we never see reins in use anymore

Are they chavvy? If so I guess I was raised by chavs. Are they a British thing only (it could explain why I never see them over here)? Do parents just prefer to get places quicker rather than toddler pace? Is it a social grace not to annoy every other pedestrian with your hyperactive child running around with a trip wire?


Yours,

Lord , Possible descendant of chavs.

Edited by Lord on Monday 26th October 08:32

[djfaulkner]

We still use them for our daughter, I dont think they are chavy.

[nekrum]

We've used them, and little man is a trotter / bolter so have been very handy at times!.. He's just two so has now upgraded to a dino backpack with a lead, which also works very well, but he's a lot better by himself now - still bolts and refuses to listen sometimes, so back to holding a hand or being on the dino lead until he's though about what he's done lol!..

Seriously, each child is different but we wouldn't have been without one, just for peace of mind more than anything else. Trick is to get them used to wearing it regardless of if you have to / choose to use it, but at least it's on just in case and it's part of the going out routine etc..

[SlowMoped]

I don't think they're chavvy. Surely allowing a child to run wild, unchecked is chavvy.

[dingg]

they'd get trained easier with a dog lead and a choke chain IMO

[AyBee]

SlowMoped said:

I don't think they're chavvy. Surely allowing a child to run wild, unchecked is chavvy.

This. Too many chavs with wayward offspring

[hornetrider]

We don't use them but they're certainly not chavvy.

We tried a mini backpack thing with a little lead for a short while which seemed to work ok, but didn't need it for long.

[anonymous-user]

We used them for our daughter and like you, I was surprised at how infrequently we saw other parents use them. As said above, Calum's or Taylor's running around making a bee-line for Greggs or Primark is more council in my opinion.

Our 3 year old wanted to walk as often as possible as soon as possible. Reins were the perfect solution and also great for preventing a face / pavement connection if she stumbled. Now she's taller and I can hold her hand easily reins are a thing of the past, although we do have a backpack with a lead that gets occasional use.

[Chris Type R]

We used something that didn't look too much like a dog lead when our little one started walking. We stopped using push-chairs fairly early on, so something like this is great in a crowded environment. Something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Childs-Safety-Reins-Harn...

[Dr Murdoch]

We used them on our eldest but gave up as they were more hassle than they were worth (if I recall correctly), so we taught him to hold our hand and he listened to what we said (mostly...). Didn't bother with our younger one, and they are now brilliant in terms of behaving correctly, stopping and looking when crossing the road etc . They are 4 and 2.

Don't worry about looking chavvy, worry about doing whats right for you and your child.

[bob1179]

This is something we need to look at. The little man is almost 18 months old now and has no sense of fear. He just runs off.

Any advice or recommendations of good reins would be appreciated!

The link to the safety rein above looks good.

[DoubleSix]

Yes they are chavvy imho.

[hornetrider]

bob1179 said:

This is something we need to look at. The little man is almost 18 months old now and has no sense of fear. He just runs off.

Any advice or recommendations of good reins would be appreciated!

The link to the safety rein above looks good.

Just explain to them that roads are very dangerous, they must hold your hand when out and about etc

We also explain consequences (could have accident and end up in hospital etc).

She's taken it all in and is very good. If she ever runs away I have no qualms in bellowing Stop! though...

[DoubleSix]

hornetrider said:

Just explain to them that roads are very dangerous, they must hold your hand when out and about etc

We also explain consequences (could have accident and end up in hospital etc).

She's taken it all in and is very good. If she ever runs away I have no qualms in bellowing Stop! though...

Basically this.

If consistent, after a short while they become 'conditioned'. My little 'un will not step off a kerb without me holding her hand to the point that if I forget I turn to see her revited to the spot!

Reins teach the child nothing ime.

[Chris Type R]

DoubleSix said:

Basically this.

If consistent, after a short while they become 'conditioned'. My little 'un will not step off a kerb without me holding her hand to the point that if I forget I turn to see her revited to the spot!

Reins teach the child nothing ime.

They're there for a backup and don't preclude hand-holding and teaching road-craft.

[BoRED S2upid]

SlowMoped said:

I don't think they're chavvy. Surely allowing a child to run wild, unchecked is chavvy.

Agree. We have them but it's rare he goes off too far from us so don't use them much. The number of chavs letting their spawn run riot around supermarkets is a joke!

[Dr Murdoch]

BoRED S2upid said:

The number of chavs letting their spawn run riot around supermarkets is a joke!

I suspect you may look at me and think chav.

I am trying to do my utmost to teach mine to walk, not run, don't shout etc etc. However, it doesn't always work!

Missus Murdoch has suggested not taking them to the supermarket, my response is "how are you going to teach them to behave in a supermarket then?". So i'm perservering with it, it will work and they will understand, i'm sure of it.

Until they do get it though, I'll have to put up with people thinking i'm a chav

[Chris Type R]

BoRED S2upid said:

Agree. We have them but it's rare he goes off too far from us so don't use them much. The number of chavs letting their spawn run riot around supermarkets is a joke!

I had my car in reverse yesterday at a supermarket and was starting to reverse when a child and mother walking behind the car. In this scenario a rein would have been useful for the mother - had the daft bint not been wandering along engrossed in her phone, and oblivious.

[kambites]

I think they're still around. We're planning to get a set when ours can get far enough without falling over to be an issue.

[funkyrobot]

Lord said:

We were out over the weekend exercising our 1 year old,

He isn't a dog.