I took mine off when one of the bolts stripped out (yes, it loosened & eventually stripped out). I haven't missed it as mine was bent too & wouldn't hold the bike up. It fell onto a stump at one stage & bent the radiator so I wasn't too impressed (esp. when finding out a new radiator was NZ$700). Now the bike either goes against a tree or on the ground (with fuel turned off).
As for when helping/following/leading kids, I'd spend more time trying to get the bike to stay standing than helping the kid, so find it's quicker now.