Melissa Joan Hart Talks Toddler Discipline and Buying Her Son a Leash

My son, Mason, is one of those kids who don't like to be constrained. He's wonderful and sweet, but he's got a ton of energy and he loves to run all over the place, whenever he wants, wherever he wants. I've nearly had really scary accidents in parking lots and in elevators where he just got away from me in a flash. It's freaked me out so much that I broke down and bought a leash.

Yes, a leash. Ugh, right? As a form of toddler discipline, it just feels so wrong, so animal-like, and I know he's not going to like it. I got him a cute fuzzy animal backpack model, but seriously, he's going to know exactly what we're doing. He's all about exercising his independence, and now he's going to be the one freaking out.

I wish I could just carry him everywhere, but he's too heavy and squirmy. Plus, I have another baby now and it's just not doable. Actually, what I really wish is for him to listen to me when I tell him how dangerous it is to run off, but no matter how many time-outs we give or how much we try to discourage him, he still keeps doing it. He's not a bad toddler, I swear! This is our biggest discipline problem with him, which I guess makes us lucky.br? We're bringing him to Disneyland this weekend, and we're also bringing the leash. He's sure to hate it, so I'm afraid it's not going to help. Should I use it? Is it so wrong? How else do you deal with discipline for a toddler who loves to run away?