Ridiculous Parenting Products

I have to say that almost everything on this list cracked me up.  The only thing that I didn't think was totally useless is the battery operated nasal aspirator.  I think they should have invented that sooner!!!  And about the harness... Personally, unless if your child has serious issues (and I mean SERIOUS issues, like LGEORGE78 mentioned, or you have no help or can't leave them home or something like that),  I think they're absolutely degrading.  The time to set ground work for obedience in, say, a parking lot, is not when you're IN the parking lot, and I honestly believe that those behavioral issues (running away, not listening) have to be addressed at home.  If you can't control your child enough to stay with you, perhaps you should be spending more time at home making sure that your kids will listen to you.  A child old enough to get away from you THAT quickly is old enough to understand and obey his/her parents.  Another point someone made that you have to let go of your child's hand while you pay at a register is bogus, too.  If I'm walking into a store for even ONE item, my kid goes in the cart.  Sorry.  Strap them into the seat of the cart.  Frankly, when I see 2 and 3 year olds NOT in a cart in a supermarket (any store actually) it drives me nuts.  Not ALL kids run away if they're not holding your hand, but a lot of adults don't pay attention either, and I've seen plently of crotchety old ladies get pissed off that there's a kid in their way.  And for parents that have kids close in age like that, on a leisurely shopping trip to the mall or something, bring someone else with you, a helper, neighbor's teenage daughter, friend, anyone so the kids don't out number the adults.  And honestly, leave them HOME for the big 2-week grocery shopping trips. 

Cricket916...I would really watch myself when entering comments...while you are entitled to your own opinion, bashing the parenting skills of others because of your own beliefs is a BIG no no. sounds to me like you need to be taught some manners yourself! I hope your children survive your superior parenting.

A backpack carrier sooo much safer?? Thats a joke, I remember a very sad story of a woman with one of those on a African safari when a mother elephant charged. the woman was thrown and because of the backpack she crushed her child. Sadly the child did not live. How many stories have you heard of where a child has been injured or killed using a harness and leash?

For those of you that commented on the leashes being for lazy parents, or that leashes are for dogs: I have used leashes for 2 of my 5 kids. My first wasn't to difficult because she was my only one, pretty easy to keep an eye, and hand on one child. When number 2 showed up, well, the oldest was 4 1/2 and trained well enough to understand that strangers were dangerous and she needed to stay close by. Well number4 was a challenge, he was just one of those kids that wouldn't listen no matter what you said to him, he was determined to go where he wanted to, not that I did anything different with him, he was the first one I needed to use a leash on and I loved that I could let him be himself and I didn't have to yell for him or at him. He was just a very independent kid, and now a very independent 16 year old. Then I had my last one, had a bad accident shortly after he was born and didn't have complete mobility of my legs. Absolutely no possibility of running after a child. So at that point my youngest was on a leash whenever I went anywhere with him. Even when I had the older kids, I didn't think it was fair to ask them to be parents for me because I was unable to chase him. So I simply used a leash for him. It allowed my other kids to have a life that was normal and my younger one to be safe around stair ways and other things that could harm him. Oh and by the way, I have more than one dog, and I would never take any of them out without a leach like one person commented, just teach them to be on one. "ever see a dog or a child that had their sites set on something, they can be unstoppable forces". I personally think it is irresponsible to not use a leash on a dog in many situations, and I feel the same way about using a child leash on your child. Do you not care if he takes off, ever loose a kid in a store, it is one of the scariest things you could ever go through. I remember hiding in the clothes racks as a kid. My 4th did that once to me, the 3 seconds it took me to pull something off of the top shelf of the store is all it took for him to go running and find a place to hide because he likes to play hide and seek. "maybe your child doesn't know that game". Maybe some of you should learn how to play with your kids rather than treating them like they are little adults. They arn't, they are children that should be able to explore their surroundings, the leash just helps them stay safe while you do it.

My 3 year old is very well disciplined. USUALLY she listens very well and holds hands, but in large crowds with sweaty hands, it is so easy to get separated. We had to fly into and out of LAX, and she sat in the stroller for a while, but she wanted to get out and walk. We bought a harness (which she called her monkey backpack and had no idea that it was anything else) specifically for this trip. I have not used it since because we have not been anywhere since where it was necessary. I would prefer that someone call me a "lazy" or "bad" mother than have my 3 year old get lost or worse in a place like LAX. If making homecooked organic meals, taking time to teach my daughter manners, teaching my daughter to recognize letters and how to sign, teaching her empathy and concern for the living things around her, doing bath and bedtime and snuggle time and over all being a loving caring mother, all while working and managing going to school full time with a 3.8 GPA and being a member of the honor society is being a LAZY mother all because I don't object to the occasional use of a harness during certain situations or for certain children, then so be it.

I love the electronic nasal aspirator! My daughter is 4 and when she has a stuffy nose she'll ask for the "boogie sucker" LOL!! As an infant, it was a lifesaver. As a little one, it's just funny to hear her ask for it. I buy it for all my friends with little one's, on the registry or not. As a New Englander, stuffy noses are a fact of life...but you don't have to live with an old fashioned, scratch bulb.

I think the hot dog thing should be given out to every parent at the hospital. so many parents don't cut them small enough... at least this thing will show them how small they need to be!

Seriously, if you want your kids to be safe, you do not have to put them on a leash. I'm so sick of hearing that. Use a baby carrier. Some carriers are back pack style which takes the strain of your back like the Ergo and some can hold heavier babies and toddlers. I would never ever put my child on a leash. We don't even put our dogs on leashes because they stay close, listen, and don't run off!

Try peeing at a rest stop with a toddler and you'll want a 'leash'!  It gave my DD freedom of movement while in the rest room but I didn't have to get out the stroller, even an umbrella one.  When you're travelling cross country with a kid and a dog and no other adult you want things as easy as possible and the harness accomplishes that.  For every day use?  That's over doing it, but there is a time and a place where it's useful.  Now stop giving it a bad rap.

Has it become obvious to anyone else that the people at Parenting.com do NOT have children?!

we like this aspirator. =)

I have used a harness on my mentally disabled austistic son. He will not hold hands (he doesn't like to be touched) and runs everywhere. At least this way I can shop without having to chase him down. When he runs, he just runs he doesn't pay attention to people in his way and has accidentally knocked people over. I think that doing this makes me better parent rather than letting him run and injuring innocent people!

Um, I would add this to one of the most useful parenting products! These are smart for parents who do not want their kids to get lost in large crowds or accidently step out in front of a car that is backing up in a parking lot! Come on now! This is not like "harnessing a dog" as some people put it! It's for those smart parents who care about their children's safety! It's not lazy, it's not degrading! Sorry to break it to whomever added this item but children are not perfect and do not like to hold their parents hands the whole time that they are at a store!

The harness is for bad parents who don't know how to control their kids, plain and simple.

The harness is for bad parents who don't know how to control their kids, plain and simple.

I was never put on a leash as I was a pretty shy child and would cling to my parents/grandparents clothing constantly until I was about 6. My younger brother on the other hand was very confident and extremely active, and after nearly loosing him in the supermarket, my mum purchased a leash for him. Does that make her a bad mum? No.

For parents who use the leash so they don't have to watch their child at all it's disgusting behaviour, but for those of us who watch our children, but obviously cannot keep track every second you're out and about, they're brilliant! I use them on the children I mind and will be using a leash with my boy when he's old enough!

And for those who say a child on the leash must be 'undiciplined', you do realise a child is not aware of his actions until roughly the age of 5? So no matter how many time you say 'hold mommy's hand' it pretty much goes in one ear and out the other no matter how 'well-behaved' your child is. Not a jibe, just simple child psychology.

People who cricize parents for using leashes and calling those people lazy are total pretentious jerks!  How dare you call someone lazy when you have no idea how hard they are probably working?!?  Yes, we have all seen examples of bad parenting (leash or no) but everyone has a bad day every now and again, and that doesn't mean that eVERYONE using them is just being lazy.  I have two boys, 18 months apart, I have NEVER leashed them EVER, but I would NEVER criticize someone else for doing so.  I cheat and use a double stroller when I need to wrangle mine up, and we live in a small town so the double stroller is really only necessary for long walks (over 2 miles) or for zoos etc.  But they LOVE to run in opposite directions, its their favorite.  Yes, I discipline them, and every year they get a little bit better, but please tell me, was I lazy when my 11 month old and 29 month old would run in opposite directions?  (yes the 11 month old would RUN) please tell me how to train an 11 month old to listen and follow directions EVERY time.  Even a "perfect" child can wander off or become lost, they only have to disobey you ONCE and you could lose them forever.  As a parent of a strong-willed child and a compliant child I am blessed with the ability to understand exactly why it is harder to parent some children over others.  My first, I can spank and it will barely phase him, the second, if I scold to sternly will be reduced to tears.  Now that they are older (4 and nearly 3) they usually listen very well, but if I was ever in doubt of being able to keep track of them at major events or in very crowded places I wouldn't hesitate to leash them.  Also, as others have pointed out, many children with disabilities require leashes to keep them safe.  Are parents with disabled children, or several very young and very active children supposed to just stay home all the time because they can't possibly keep them safe in public?  I hope karma smacks you all in the a$$ someday.

I always thought the backpack was ridiculous, until my third child.  It's not about not teaching her to stay near us or hold our hand.  She is a very active busy child.  It's not an everyday thing for us.  Like many have said, it is to use when we are in a crowded unfamiliar place.  In fact we have only used it twice so far, but I'm glad we have it.  

If the helmet seems ridiculous, then you are blessed.

Some children do have medical conditions where a tumble off the couch, or horsing around with a sibling could land them in the emergency room. I know of instances where families have had to bring their child with a bleeding disorder into the hospital for several days for a head bleed for something that seemed so innocent.

So please be a little more sensitivity with your ridicule.

I have the battery operated Nasal Aspirator, and I must say I LOVE it. My daughter is 4 months and has terrible allergies and she doesn't mind it at all. I think she knows that it is going to make her feel better. I like that you can see what you are getting out of her nose rather than just guessing or having it come out and having to wipe it. I really like this product and have used it on both kids. I even use it on my 2 1/2 year old because she doens't get the whole "blowing your nose" concept yet.

The heels are cute. They made a fun photo prop. I bought them but I like all those cute girly girly type of things for my girl baby. I found a 2nd pair at a consignment sale. My baby liked to carry them around and it was fun having a mommy & me photoshoot in our heels. Nothing wrong with having cute things for cute photos. 

I do think that kids should learn to stic k by the parents and hold hands but in busy places, its okay to use. I would HATE the thought of losing any of my little ones...

Regarding the "booger vacuum", sorry but I used the Bébésounds Nasal Clear Battery Operated Nasal Aspirator for both my kids and it really works!!  Why put them through equally annoying suctioning with a bulb that doesn't work. As a result, they are on track to be great nose blowers which is one of the best ways to prevent illness. 

Some of these items are useful.  I have a 2 year old who knows know fear.  He began walking at 6 months and is as most boys extremely impulsive.  I have been in airports, malls and other busy places that he actually likes to feel a little independent and will wait for me to put on the harness to keep him safe. 

His grandparents watch him and take him out all the time it's also a sense of security since they don't have the ability to dart after him when he puts himself in danger.  For those that have the perfect child great, I am impressed.  After my 2 year old nephew wandered away at a water park in Disney World and none of the 6 adults that were supposed to be watching could locate him.  I don't trust not having a harness on my son. 

As for the helmet it's a great idea for a child who has a seizure disorder or a disability.  Or anyone else who may just want a little more protection.

For those of you who choose to throw darts at other parents because they are treating their child as a "pet", please remember; there are things that you choose to do with your child that someone else is judging and you don't like it either.  Stop living in a box and have a reality check, parents aren't perfect but until you walk in someone else's shoes don't make judgements about what they do or don't do.

I love all the self-righteous people who have the nerve to call parents "lazy" for using a SAFETY harness for the purpose it was intended (In situations where a child needs to be kept safe!)...  I especially love that most of them a) can't spell to save their lives and b) have terrible grammar.  Good for you jerks, you're kids might not do well in school thanks to your help with homework, but gosh darn it they'll know how to hold hands!