Put A Leash On "It"

To leash or not to leash that is the question.  I am not talking about my dog though because I don't have a dog and don't plan on getting one anytime soon.  And I would definitely leash a dog at all times when out in public.

I am talking about our 3 year old aka Mr. Beanpole.  I know harsh, right?  Maybe?  I am struggling a little bit with this.

See I used to be one of those moms who "judged" just a little bit when I saw parents with the little monkey or puppy backpack harnesses i.e. leashes on their children.  I would always, maybe not always, but too many times, I would comment to my husband, "They are not dogs".  Of course that was when we only had the 3 kids far apart in age.  I could be totally immersed with the smallest one when we were out and about because the older two where 15 and 9 when we had our 3rd child who is now 3.  Now that we had our 4th (and last) child much closer to our 3rd, it is difficult to get out and about with our 3 yr old and the almost 11 month old especially by myself. 

You see, Mr. Beanpole is a normal average 3 year old, always curious, always getting into something, somewhere, has no fear and likes to run (more like bolt)!  At times he has bolted when we are trying to just get out into the car here at home, at church, etc.  He also gets distracted easily like most 3 year olds when we are out and about so unless we are holding his hand at all times (which he is not very fond of since he is Mr Independent these days) we walk at a snails pace, touching everyone and everything in our path. 

When it comes to bolting when we are getting in/out of the car, we are lucky that the street we live on has very little traffic most of the time and he hasn't bolted into the street but rather up the street on the sidewalk but when you see him in action, he is QUICK!  (He gets that from his older brother)  And it is probably the funniest thing to my neighbors when I am running up the street, with baby in tow, after him, hollering his name....My hair flying in my face, Miss K bouncing on my hip (among other things bouncing that shouldn't) as I am about to make a face plant with each step...Not too funny at the time, but of course always looking back I just have to chuckle (or else I would probably cry). 

So with this all being said, I am no longer that mother!  I am really considering getting one of those little backpacks i.e. leashes to use with him when we are out and about so I have a little bit more "control".

What do you think? 

Are you for or against "leashes" on small children?