My name is Casey.  I have worked in child care for over nine years.  More than five years of my experience has been as a nanny.  While working with children I ran into a dilemma that I know a lot of other people face.  As small children were learning to walk I needed a way to keep them close by through crowds.  I would typically try to hold their hands or have them hold onto the side of the stroller.  I learned that holding hands with the child is uncomfortable for everyone involved!  Often when holding onto the stroller, I would end up running over the children's feet.

That's when I came up with the idea for My Handy Hold®.  It gives the children something to hold onto to keep them within a reasonable distance of the adult without being under feet or wheels.  Within the first two times of a child using My Handy Hold® they become excited to use it!  When I tell one of my three year old charges that she needs to stay close at the zoo because there are a lot of people, her first response is "do you have a holder for me?"  The children feel so independent knowing that it is just for them to hold onto and that they get a little bit of space from the adult when holding it! 

When first introducing this item to younger children, I often give them a choice of holding on or sitting in the stroller.  I usually have a stroller with me for when they get tired anyway.  Given the choice to walk instead of ride they usually jump on the chance to walk and hold onto My Handy Hold®.  It also allows them enough give to walk far enough from the adult that they feel very independent and "grown up"!  With older children I let them know that if it gets crowded or if they run too far away they will need to hold on.  This gives them an opportunity to show you how well they can listen and stay nearby.  I feel all ages of children enjoy using this product and get a great sense of independence, responsibility and security.