Do You Leash Your Baby?

Tomorrow Zeek baby and I will be heading to Virginia Beach to visit with family and to pick up Sister. As much as I can't wait to see my baby girl I am equally dreading traveling alone with Ezekiel. I don't know why. I did perfectly fine by myself with Catalina when she was younger and part of me knows everything will go smoothly... But Zeek doesn't listen as well as Catalina did. And he can't be still. I dread being that mother with the crying baby that makes everyone on the plane miserable. And we have a layover in Vegas. That airport is a nightmare to me. There are all kinds of people...like any other airport...but there are also those trollies that shuttle you around the airport and so many stinking terminals. Anyway, I'm sure it'll be super fun the time of my life okay. I'm a big girl; I can handle this.

Getting ready to travel leads me to my title. My friends and I were discussing baby leashes at Matty's birthday dinner. Personally, I've always been opposed. I look at parents walking their children around the malls and shopping centers with disgust and mentally I spit on them. I know, I know, that sounds so cruel. I have voiced my opinion to several mothers in my day though. At a pet store one time I looked straight at a lady and said, "That's the cutest thing ever! Oh where did you get him? Does he do tricks too?" referring to her toddler. I've seen women ignoring their children as they tug at their "leashes" and I've seen a dad jerk his kid's "chain" and for the most part I just think it's degrading to the child and a sign of a lazy parent.

Ezekiel's Mimi, our friend Michelle, put things into a different perspective for me though. I think about this more now that we're embarking on an international move. There are certain situations in which it child-leashes could be okay and I hope to humor you with explain my thoughts on each:

• Extremely Crowded Places - I'm not talking Walmart people! This is more llike Six Flags or Sea World. Places you might want your child to explore since exploring helps build your child's self confidence and self esteem. Places where you want to enjoy time with family and not worry about someone trying to take off with your kid...not without dragging you too.  
• Airports - I will not be leashing Ezekiel for a flight stateside...though if I see a baby leash at the airport I might take pictures of him in it to send to his dad and everyone in my contacts list...but I am considering it for international flights. Strangers are always walking up to my son and asking to hold him or to take their picture with him - NO CREEPY MAN AT SIX FLAGS YOU CANNOT HOLD MY SON FOR A PHOTO! The thought of losing my babies in a foreign country is just morifying!  
• Near the California/Mexico Border in San Ysidro - Before Zeek came into this world, we were shopping at the Carter's Outlet in San Ysidro and I swear the people down there could not keep their eyes off of my daughter. It was not in a perverted way either. More like a "I will take your baby and sell her for mucho dinero on the black market" sort of way. Either that or they were jealous amazed that my lil beaner speaks such articulate English. I chose not to take my children there any more. 

So anyone who has stumbled across this, what is your opinion? How do you feel about leashing your baby? Have you ever done it? Is there a certain that you do it? Or is it like a babysitter for you while you gab on the phone with your boyfriend? Just kidding! There's no judgement here...well maybe some, but no one will blast you down for it here and I promise I won't spit on you.  I appreciate your sharing.