WWYD.....

[jtyangel]

Oh my goodness! Yes, in that case leashes save lives!

I thought you meant a leash at all times. 

No, we primarily used the leash when losing sight of Joshua could prove disastrous in any number of ways.  He would be leashed off in the mall, hiking (he wasn't even a dirty thought in his daddy's mind at the Canyon de Chelle trip, but we've made others like it since then) and nowadays even especially when we're out sailing. 

Joshua likes to wander around on the boat, and although he doesn't even step onboard without his lifejacket on, I'm not interested in traumatizing him with the thought that we're leaving him, when I have to sail away from him in order to get room to turn around and retrieve him.  So instead, we lash him off to the mast and he can wander the boat at will; and if he goes overboard, all I have to do is snatch him up out of the water by the harness.

In the mall? Mind if I ask why and how that rises to the same level of danger as a canyon or a boat. Just curious.

My youngest wore a leash and a shock collar until he was 6!...

Mine might too--it's why I ask. Remember, I have a 4 year old boy too. Some days...scratch that part of most days are like this

He really hated the  id chip planted in his forehead!

Another good idea. *taking notes*

[Chris_]

In the mall? Mind if I ask why and how that rises to the same level of danger as a canyon or a boat. Just curious.

Remember the criterion my wife and I go by:

...we primarily used the leash when losing sight of Joshua could prove disastrous in any number of ways.

In the malls around here the crowds are so thick that losing sight of him means very likely losing him.  Beside all the facinating things (to him) to do and see - things usually designed for adult users, and moderately dangerous for an unattended 4 year old - can you pick out the pedophile in a mall crowd?  

With the leash, I don't have to be the big meanie, forcing him to hold mommy or daddy's hand the whole time, or ride in the stroller/on daddy's shoulders when he wants to stay on the ground and explore stuff.  The leash gives him a definite range that he can roam on his own, look at what he wants to look at and still be safely in intercept range of mommy or daddy when the little dangers pop up.  I've had more than one mall security guard and police officer compliment my wife and I on the forethought we put into keeping track of the boy.  They've had to deal with too many 3-5 year olds who don't know where mommy or daddy are, and know that they won't with us.