Extending dog lead when they're a bit older...

Why put a child on a dog lead? Well, using the proper child harness and 'walking reins' gave me a trememdous back ache - and I'm not exactly tall so it's not as if I were bending over far. It was just that little bit too small, so I hit on the idea of an extending dog leash, the sort that run out to so many feet (about 10 is a good distance), but will stop short at the touch of a button.

Clipped securely to the child harness, it meant Limpit had freedom to toddle at her pace and I had control over how far away she got. It also meant I had a few seconds extra to say goodbye when she decided conversation with mummy's friends was boring and she needed to be on the other side of the park NOW!

It was far more effective than the wrist straps that are available for 'toddler security' which are about as secure as a bubble in a wind tunnel and a darn sight longer lasting!

LTS