LEASES FOR TODDLERS. When Annalisa was a toddler, there was a period when Mary Jane would put on her a leash when they went out for a walk. This was unusual. I have never seen any other toddler on a leash, and passing drivers would sometimes heckle mother and daughter.
Annalisa sent me a link to this wikipedia entry about the history of leashes for infants. Leashes were called “Leading strings” and were used in Europe in the 17th and 18th century. At the link there is a painting from the 1790’s by Angelica Kauffman of a child fastened by “leading strings”.
Annalisa asked in the e mail: “Did you know of the long history of child leashes?”
She added that she strongly believes in leashes for a child learning to walk.
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I initially read this as “leases for toddlers” and was extremely concerned.