In light of comments and disapproving looks from people while we are in public places, I have decided to write a little note about the purpose of the Child Harness. Or, at least, it’s our purpose anyway. I am guessing that if we are dealing with this issue odds are there are other folks out there as well.
I am frequently blogging about the various irritations of other parents and/or those who don’t even have kids giving their opinions on what we should or should not be doing with our kids. Number one, it’s rude to give unsolicited advice. Period. I don’t comment when I see Other Kid slurping up Trix Flavored Gogurt, loaded with red dye and sugar; it would be rude for me to just walk up to Other Parent and say “I can’t believe you are letting your kid eat that! Don’t you know what’s in it?”. So I have no idea why I get stares, the shaking heads and my personal favorite the “that’s just cruel” comments when Buddy is proudly sporting his Monkey-Backpack-Complete-With-Tail harness.
Ahhhh ignorance, the bane of my existence. If they only knew that dangers of wandering in autistic children. If they only knew that Buddy has extremely poor spacial awareness thanks to SPD and his off-kilter vestibular system and that “cruel leash” keeps him from running head first into the glass window of a zoo exhibit. If they only knew that the monkey is weighted and provides the sensory input he needs to function better. If they only would research how important it is for children in their early years to have that need for autonomy met and the fact that the harness lets them walk freely without the struggle of holding hands.
I will say what is cruel; it’s the nasty stares that Buddy gets when he is wearing his monkey harness. He loves it and frequently asks to wear it at home. Some people smile and think it’s cute, so he proudly stomps his feet and grins. It makes me wonder, if he notices the positive reaction is he noticing the negative? Is he wondering why that mean lady is scowling at him? There are times that I just want to stay home to avoid all the negativity that is out there. I just wish people would ask questions before they make assumptions.
Comments
Mama Meerkat
I actually got really positive comments on the harness my daughter was wearing from a mall Santa Claus! I was surprised, but it was nice to hear something positive after all the weird looks.
Then later she tried to bolt and melted down while still wearing the harness and oh man, the looks I got… But she would have bolted, gotten further away, and then meltdown down while I had to run after her had she not been wearing the harness.
Heather Finnegan
My NT kiddo wore one! I have both the monkey and the bear. I think they are adorable
I bought mine LONG before I’d ever heard of SPD and that my son had it. Safety first! Even if the kids didn’t have processing issues or wander, it’s too easy for you to turn your back and some creep walk away with your kid. When I took care of my friend’s daughter, I had 2 three year olds running around. Yes, I could strap them in a stroller all day, or I could let them see things and get some exercise. I know it’s better to respond to ignorance with education, but so often I just want to snap at them to go bite it 
Jenny from the Block
Yes, I never get why people think a harness is wrong. Years ago before I had kids, I took 3 little girls (my goddaughter and her 2 cousins whom I was also close with) to Navy Pier in Chicago. I had 3 little girls under 5, and just me. I was not about to chance anything, so we got “leashes.” They went on our wrists like jewelry, but we were connected, was not a collar. So many people disapproved I was surprised at all the rude looks and comments. I did not care, the girls were safe.
With Bud, we get looks about various things, and though it never bothered me before with other kids in my life, I find I am more sensitive with Bud. Perhaps it is because it happens more, or he is mine, or I know he is not typical and it still saddens me and their looks remind me of a hard path we are on.
I have in the past given rude people like that a quick explanation (he is barefoot because he has autism/SPD and shoes hurt him) and went on my way b/c I believe it not only made them feel about 2 inches tall for judging, but maybe they would think twice before judging again.
Eve
We had the frog one. Now they are four and six, and they STILL ask to get strapped into it for playtime at home. it must has been really traumatic to them!