HELP- Are the children's harnesses (leash thing) acceptable in Europe

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

Steve is at Wal Mart right now buying our drugs and said they have one of these there and he wants to get it. I have NOTHING against these things and will always remember Pam's saying "better on a leash than the side of a milk carton"...HOWEVER I don't want to be a faux pas in Europe. We will I assume limit this to the airport. I also don't think we use it in Ukraine where I can't risk it being a faux pas.

Anyway any of you international travelers see any in Euro Airports.
We have a 3 hour lay over PLUS in London!!!!

Tristan is very hard to contain...he is one of those children who will run off with anyone and be out of your site in a second!!!!!

Thank you in advance!!!
Neve and Tristan born Feb 25, 2003
* EDD 3/19/05 Baby girl BRONWYN
* Adopting siblings in Ukraine 12-10-04
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan

[californiagirl]

I don't know about Ukraine, but they're common in the UK -- they're called "reins" and I've seen several discussions about how silly Americans are not to use them more.

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

Thank you!!!!!

Neve and Tristan born Feb 25, 2003
* EDD 3/19/05 Baby girl BRONWYN
* Adopting siblings in Ukraine 12-10-04
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan

[jesseandgrace]

I also just wanted to add that we have one that goes around the wrist, and ds really likes it, it makes him feel safe. We've only used it in the airport, but it was a big help.

[lfp2n]

I think they are really common in Europe, at one time after a particular baby snatching event people were chastized for NOT using them. My mum sent me some from England, although I haven't used them here.

Good Luck with the trip

Lucy

[RwnMayfair]

I can't honestly say I ever saw them used in Vienna, Austria, but that doesn't mean they aren't necessarily common elsewhere in Europe. The popular phrase in Vienna is, "The Viennese are more fond of their dogs than their children" so it doesn't exactly surprise me that I didn't see them there either. Many of the younger children I saw there were in strollers, or their parents just held onto their hands. (Or else they weren't out at all.) My husband says that when he was in Prague, he didn't see any harnesses in use, the toddlers he saw were usually in strollers or being held by the hand. Then again, I can't honestly say how much attention he was really paying to the children there, so it's always possible he just missed seeing some too. ;)

But honestly, it's better to have it and not lose Tristan than to worry TOO much about it. Plus, like a few others have said, it sounds like they're at least common in the UK. :)

-Melissa

Taran, November 20, 2003

http://lilypie.com/baby2/031120/0/5/0/-5/.png
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif - Twelve months and counting!

[Thatchermom]

I did not see anything like this while in Czech last summer, but I fully intend to own one when we take Thatch this summer. There are just times in airports, crowded tram or subway stations, all over that I would just feel much more peace knowing he couldn't get away from me. Can't speak for Ukraine, but I can say that everyone in Prague will know you're American before you open your mouth and speak English...it just seeps out our pores! Prague is full of people from all over, and they will likely just think it is as strange as any white socks or tennis shoes you wear - just goes with the American territory. I wouldn't worry about it there.