ViveVita Gripsterz StayAlong Walking Handle (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

I have a 4 year old, 2 year old and baby. I got this for my 4 year old to walk along-side the stroller that now has the 2 year old and baby in it.She loves the monkey and enjoyed reading the little book that came with it. She also likes to choose which length she'd like for the outing that day. She's also old enough to understand that when I say she needs to hold on, she needs to hold on. Otherwise, it's optional but she usually will hold on.I took away one star because, while the varying tether lengths is nice, it's just more pieces since the 'adjustable' part of the entire tether is the middle section. You still need the handle and the part that attaches to the stroller. So it's clipping and un-clipping, and if you want a different length, you need to have the little pouch with all the extra straps and tethers. Fortunately we usually keep the middle length on most of the time and if she wants to change the length, she can do it on her own while I'm getting the other two ready.A sliding adjustable tether would be much better. (Similar to the type of adjustability on shopping cart buckles).Overall a good product and the tethers are strong and durable and the monkey is cute and accented by the vine design on the tethers.

I bought this item for my 16 month old who wants to walk on his own but doesn't yet understand the need to stay with Momma. I initially bought a leash backpack for him, but my husband had a fit about the concept of leashing the baby "like a dog" so I thought the Grippy was a good alternative. I proudly showed it to my own mother when it arrived and she laughed at me and said, "Good luck." Good luck is right. I think the people who have found success with this product must have children who don't really need leashes to begin with. I, however, have a child who wants to go, go, go and doesn't much care if he toddles off with or without us. The Gripsterz is a voluntary attachment device - so basically it only works if the child chooses to stay. The idea is that the child will want to carry around this purple monkey ring and the parent is attached to a leash at the end of the ring. Good concept except my child has absolutely no interest in the purple monkey and won't even take it from me to play with, much less carry it around and voluntarily cling to it. The ring doesn't do anything - it's just a ring with a monkey face - so I couldn't really convince my son that it was a toy. The product also comes with a velcro wrist strap that you have the option of adding for extra security. I used the wrist strap and was careful not to let my son see how I attached it to his wrist, but he figured out how to take the wrist strap off before I even finished getting him out of the carseat and continued to take it off every time I tried to put it on. So with no interest in the monkey ring and a worthless wrist strap, I'm glad I didn't get rid of the backpack leash. If you think your child is a wanderer who really needs motivation to stay with you, don't get this product.

As posted in my title, this product is not the cure for independent and feisty toddlers. It will not work in one day. It takes a lot of patience, persistence, and training your little one to follow your directions and hold on to the friendly monkey. With that said, I purchased this item after not wanting the bookbag "leash", and still allowing my toddler the independence that she so desperately wants in public to explore, she absolutely despises strollers and does not like to hold hands! After one day of constantly having to grab her and keep her from running into the street, I purchased this item. She was excited to use it, and was looking forward to holding the monkey in public. I would not let her to see it or use it or play with it in the house so that she would not become too familiar with it and think it was a regular toy. It takes a lot of persistence, reminding her to hold the monkey. She doesn't always want to hold it, but as I said, as a parent, you must do your part as well, and find a fun way to have your child hold it. Sometimes I'll say "You can't catch me! Only the monkey can!" Or we'll make believe we're climbing a mountain and I'll say "Hold on!" I may look silly in public but if that's what it takes then so be it. Walking in the street in public is not a problem now, but I am still working on her walking with it in stores. She sees other things that interest her and immediately and unconsciously drops the monkey in pursuit of the other item. There have been times where she puts the monkey on like a bracelet (which makes it a restraint), and I have to remind her to remove it from her wrist. Also, I don't take it out and use it every single time we go out, I mix it up, and give her the freedom to hold my hand or walk next to me. This is not the end-all, be-all, I hope she will grow out of this item the older she gets and the more she understands the importance of being within Mommy's reach.

We got our Gripsterz to use with my 2-year-old son and it has been perfect for us! Firstly, my son (and his older brothers and sister) all love Grippy. My son wants us to read the Grippy book to him over and over and everybody thinks Grippy is adorable. It didn't take long for us to teach him to hold onto the Gripsterz while we're out walking and he hangs on faithfully. I think it gives him security because he knows that Daddy or Mama is right there with him. My husband and I both like that it's us that are attached. Our son only holds onto Grippy and keeps his dignity :)There are lots of different options for attaching the Gripsterz to you or stroller/shopping cart, which is very nice. My husband usually clips it to a belt loop. I like the wrist strap for myself because I usually wear skirts. I can clip Grippy to my wrist and my son can walk along beside me (though he prefers to walk slightly behind). There are many length options, too.We have a new baby and like the peace of mind of knowing that while I'm juggling the baby my 2 year old is hanging onto Grippy. If he happened to let go, I would know right away even if I was looking down at the baby or adjusting her baby carrier as we take a walk. This was an excellent purchase - I'm thinking of getting another to leave in the car just in case we leave this one at home!