I went to the mall yesterday and a young mum with a baby in a pushchair and another kid wearing 'reins' almost crashed into me. She apologised profusely and then said "oh, I feel so bad having him on reins, people must think I'm a terrible mum!". I said "are you kidding? At least your kid is learning motor-skills, social skills and getting some good exercise!"
She looked at me in complete shock for a second, and then gave me this huge smile and said "most people make me feel like I'm treating my son like a dog!"
Poor lady. Some people must be pretty bitchy to her. I've noticed that, actually; kids wearing reins are often subjected to some nasty looks. I just think that, like breastfeeding, surely we should allow and encourage our youngsters to develop their physical skills in public. I admire the parents for doing it - I'm so impatient I usually encourage kids to use a buggy or something, rather than walk along at short-legs pace, examining *every* stick and *every* flower!
So Very Tired
I think I've got (or am getting) a cold or something - my joints and throat are sore and I'm coughing worst than a habitual smoker. I'll have to be careful not to pass it on to any kiddies, they might find it quite hard to breathe if they get it and that seems to make them panic (understandably).
An $80 Gamble
My phone was playing up yesterday and this morning I couldn't get a dial tone at all. I had (somewhat prudently) taking the non-working phone to Cash Converters and checked that it wasn't, in fact, the phone that was broken - it worked just fine on their line.
So I phoned Telecom and they said - sure, we'll come out and have a look. If it's our fault, it's free - but if it's your equipment, it's $81.00. I was actually just glad to ascertain that I hadn't been cut off for non-payment! Anyway they came and fixed it this morning without me even seeing them, so it can't have been my equipment.
Way To Throw
I had a rather disturbed night last night - waking at 10.30, 12.30, 3.00 - and, following my usual rule, made myself get up and do something until I was tired, rather than lying in bed thinking "must sleep!"
At some point, I must have decided to have a good clean up and then gone back to bed and forgot it, because when I woke up, I couldn't find my glasses *anywhere*. I was freaking out - they weren't in any of the usual 'lost glasses' places - when finally the dying embers of my mind flickered... and I found my $800 glasses in the rubbish bag, which I was just about to go chuck in the wheelie-bin.
the use of those reins only REALLY annoys me when parents think it means they don't have to keep an eye on what their kids are up to - especially in stores. but yeah, is probably better than carrying them around all the time. did you see that thing in the papers the other day that kids are starting school missing really basic motor skills - how to throw a ball, how to sit up straight, how to hold a pen etc etc.
maybe to make the reins less child-as-dog looking, the parent should have a similar harness. ;)
*hugs*
Posted by: Zephfi at July 31, 2005 04:37 PMReins are damn handy looking - definitely better than strapping an active kid into a chair in case they run off randomly. Makes them *slightly* less of a misguided missile.
Posted by: Rachel at July 31, 2005 05:22 PMI had a friend that used the reins just so the kid would not get lost. Some kids, you take them out and they stick to you. They don't want to get lost. Others just don't care if they can't find you, and they take ages to track as they don't cry and get help from people round. They are busy exploring the whole world. Its safer for everyone if you have some grip on where they are and what they are doing.
Posted by: toni at August 1, 2005 09:12 PMYeah, I never remember having any fear of getting lost until much older - about 4 or 5. Apparently I would take off regularly as a toddler. Smart kid. Should have obeyed the impulse then and there, would have saved a few years of heartache.
I could have been a pub urchin, selling matches and meat pack raffles and so forth. Beer would flow in my veins and CYFS would do nothing. Sweet.
I love using reins!!!! I have every intention to keep using them, regardless of the negative comments and 'disapproving' looks. I am so proud of the fact that I care about my children's safety. I guess I'm in the minority, though. However, as a mother of 6 children under 6, they are a life-saver!
Posted by: meredith at February 5, 2006 02:47 PM