Please don't assume this. You have no idea what some parents are going through and its definitely not always apparent at first glance. There are Autistic kids, ADHD kids, mentally delayed kids, and others that have problems no matter the effort from the parents. DO NOT shame parents who may be trying their absolute best. Honestly, if a parent has a leach on their child is trying to keep their child safe while giving some independence, it shows they care. Its the parents who lets kids run free unattended that you can reserve judgement for.

As a kid who was often leashed by his dad: Not necessarily. You can do all the good parenting you like but a kid is going to be a kid and some kids are going to do whatever they feel like doing. Keeping me leashed was a way to keep me safe and I can't be upset about that.

Not true for all kids, I used to think that way until I actually needed to use one for my son.

Not always true. Don't judge.

Tell that to the dad in my hometown who was walking down a sidewalk, holding tight to his 4 year old son's hand when the kid broke free & ran right out in front of a delivery truck. No one should ever have to bury their 4 year old child.

Ok 1 my youngest has autism and has no perception of danger so reins - not leash help keep her safe because she is not always willing to hold hands 2 mins your own business for whatever reason these people are using them and they don't have to answer to you or anyone else so shut up and keep walking to the wine aisle

Grew up with 4 Autistic Kids of varying degrees. The youngest who was heavily Autistic had to be on a Harnessed Child Leash because he would attempt to run off and even at times try to run into traffic. He was mentally delayed with deteriorating eyesight at the age of 4 and could only see six feet in front of him with special glasses. The parents did everything to help him and even in controlled environments he would try to hurt himself with objects (thankfully they were pillows and stuff at his physically therapy place). I know some people abuse child leashes, I’ve seen it, but without his, he would be dead.

Ah, yes. I was this person once. Assuming that all kids listen and will naturally fall into line. Alas, that's not the case. I had to use a leash with my daughter because she would literally run into the street. She's tried to leave with random families more than once at the playground. She will get distracted and walk off. She's no longer on a leash but I literally have to be constantly reminding her to stay with me and not run off. My son is completely different and I've never had these problems with him. It's a though every child is an individual and completely different from everyone else. Crazy, huh?

Not necessarily bad, some kids are just natural wanderers. My nephew was like this, constantly opening doors and trying to go somewhere.

Ah yes, the good old mY cHiLd iS aUtiStiC sO hE cAnT bEhAvE. Just stop with that s**t. My younger brothers were leashed and they weren't autistic or had any other disorder parents like to hide behind, they were just plain Houdini's who would run away if you didn't look at them for 000,2 seconds.

Don't think of a leash as something you'd put on a kid that would otherwise be free range, think of it as giving limited freedom to a very young kid who'd otherwise be strapped into a stroller - which we're so used to seeing nobody even blinks.

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ACCURATE AF!!!!!!

Phu¢k off. YOUR kids did well. Not everyone has YOUR kids. In fact NOBODY does.

Your kids. Not all kids. Some kids are runners. Fearless and fleet-footed at the age of 2 or 3. The kind that keep their parents' heart-rate up.

HA HA HA HA.. simple parenting. Yeah. I remember thinking after my first kid "I'm such a good parent because my child isn't a fussy eater, like other kids. Clearly those other parents suck, and I did it right". Then my second kid completely proved me wrong by being "hot dogs or chicken strips or I willingly starve myself"... Turns out it was just luck that my first kid found different foods interesting (although I take credit for encouraging it)

And those kids who have disabilities that you can't see? ASD, ADHD, ect...it's not a parents fault. I'd rather see a parent doing their best to keep their child safe, all the while knowing they'll be judged by arseholes who think they know everything, than see a child run off and get hurt, or worse. In my case, I have MS and can't move as fast as I used to, my child has ASD, and though she's older now and doesn't need the "leash", I was judged heavily by people like you. No one should have to give their medical background to complete strangers, complete strangers should mind their own business unless there is actual child abuse.

@ Unwelcomed Guest Sometimes good parenting isn't enough. Like when you have the responsibility of watching after and autistic child that cannot understand the concept of staying in one place and yet you still have laundry to wash and fold while the owner of the facility opens the back door to cool the place down. Kids get bored, they wander, get distracted, and get curious. I'm glad you were blessed with children that could understand you. Some of us aren't so blessed.

And some kids are escape artists that will vanish at the drop of a hat. My brother started walking at 9 months old. His brain wasn't even cooked enough to understand the word "no", and he could move like the Flash. Mom had to keep him on a leash with a six point harness to keep track of him. ...///... You're unwelcome for a reason.

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Despite the fact that I have opened my self up to the challenges I have have faced in my life and to tried to negate for my offspring as best to my ability You of bored panda have chosen to criticise me. I am so disappointed. I truely thought you were better than this

Did you know that tethering your child in a crowded place also deters kidnapping?