My Handy Hold Review and GIVEAWAY!

Oh the joys of grocery shopping late in the afternoon with a toddler and a preschooler. A typical scenario is two little giggle boxes seeing how far away from the car they can get before mommy says something. Or a dawdling little boy intrigued by the candy aisle and not paying attention when mommy starts walking again. The time spent at the checkout lane always has at least one kiddo trying to spin the bag holder and the other one spinning the purse tray in circles. Most likely a finger will get pinched. Or laying on the floor until mommy says it is dirty. Or walking in two different directions to see who mommy will chase first. The walk to the car then consists of telling my son to hold on to the cart, only to hear him say that his fingers are getting pinched. Or Baby Girl is walking too slow or too close to him. And more often than not I am trying to push an overly full cart with one hand while I hold my skirt up (I tell the kids to hold my skirt thinking it will leave a hand free....but it often doesn't) Are you tired yet? I usually am by this point.

A few months ago I was at a Just Between Friends Consignment Sale and I had the opportunity to meet a very sweet girl named Casey. Casey is a nanny, who has more than her fair share of experience with rambunctious and curious kiddo's. Having the same experiences as many of us moms, she came up with the My Handy Hold. My Handy Hold was initially just a caribeener and a ribbon, and grew into a cute and fashionable little handle for kids. My Handy Hold is an alternative to the "leash" backpacks that are currently on the market. It gives your child the freedom and responsibility of learning to walk away from you a couple of steps while still knowing the limits and rules. It also helps avoid a crowd from separating you and your little one...people don't tend to try to walk through the My Handy Hold, but it also isn't so long that it cuts other people off. The other part I liked was that I didn't feel TOO secure. I still kept a close eye on my kiddo, because I knew he COULD let go at any time. He knows I am watching him, but he also knows that I trust him enough to give him a little space. And believe me, using two hands to push the cart through the aisles is fantastic!

I wasn't sure how my kids would like the My Handy Hold. I thought my daughter would think it was the coolest thing ever and my son wouldn't care either way. However, my son LOVES it. I put it on my purse, my backpack, the grocery cart. I planned to give him some options (depending on how busy the place is.) If it is busy, he needs to either hold on to the My Handy Hold or my hand-or sit in the cart. If it was slow, he could choose to walk next to me or hold on.....but if he walked too far he would need to hold on to the My Handy Hold. I was surprised to find that I didn't need to give him an option. He thought he was such a big boy to hold on! Then my daughter wanted to be like my son so they shared. And sometimes they fight over the My Handy Hold so I am thinking I may need one for each of them!

There is something even better that has come from it. When we are in places that I don't feel that I need to use the My Handy Hold, my Little Man and Baby Girl are naturally starting to just stay closer to me. They are learning their limits and how far is too far.

I definitely don't want this review and giveaway of this fantastic product to get controversial, but I do want to point out that I do not use it as a "leash", nor does Casey promote it as such. It is never clipped on to my children, it is simply an extra "hand" for them to hold on to.

BUY IT: Visit http://www.myhandyhold.com/!


WIN IT: Casey has generously offered one of my readers their own My Handy Hold!! Just fill out the form below!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Be a follower of Frugal Mom knows Best via GFC, and then visit myhandyhold.com and tell me which color you would choose if you win!