Why am I the only parent I see carrying a screaming toddler?

[NuzzleMyScratch]

DS is just 2. He likes to go walking which is great. My rules are that he must hold my hand if we are walking along a main road, crossing any road, and at any other time I see fit.

Most of the time he's happy to oblige but sometimes refuses, if there's something very interesting he wants to get to (like a bus or horse across the road) or if his interpretation when he should hold my hand doesn't match mine!

My tactics are that I will ask him to hold my hand, tell him if he doesn't hold it I'm going to pick him up, and then pick him up, screaming and kicking.

I see no one else doing this! Am I alone?

[Snusmumriken]

Nope, you are not alone. DS is almost 16 months and we never use a buggy. I have a sling in case he gets very tired. He loves walking and I love watching him discover the world while he toddles about.

[ellesabe]

You're not alone...

[NuzzleMyScratch]

And how much time do you spend carrying him screaming?!
It's lovely isn't it, DS loves moss and strokes it on the garden walls :o

[noisytoys]

You're not alone. I just have a screaming 2 year old. The only time she doesn't scream is when she sleeps

[Makinglists]

Well that was me yesterday carrying DS2 who is 27mths across the road - carried like a torpedo under my arm (and killing my back in the process!) while trying to steer the buggy with the other hand.

[NuzzleMyScratch]

Oh good ellesabe!

[StillSlightlyCrumpled]

No, you've obviously not walked past me and my screaming two year old.

[TheCountessOlenska]

I've spent many a walk carrying a screaming toddler!! When DD was just turned 2 she went through an awful stage where she screamed in the buggy but was almost as bad out of the buggy. We never got on with reins either. The worst thing that happened was that she sat down in the middle of a busy road and as I jerked her back up too standing I dislocated her elbow

She is very good now at nearly 3. Holds hands when asked, knows to stop at the end of roads, walks everywhere - we haven't used the buggy at all for a few months.

[Mibby]

Youre not alone. I was carrying my 27month old round the shopping centre while she screamed hw mean I was!

[StickEmWithThePointyEnd]

Because I try and avoid taking ds outside.

[IcanandIwill]

Not alone.

[NuzzleMyScratch]

Oh good! Do my rules sound reasonable do you think?

[Convert]

You obviously don't have a child at DS1s school. I am the determind looking blonde carrying the screaming 18mnth old. The is apparently no other demanding, stubborn toddlers amongst the rest of the siblings as it's just me with the screaming child.
Actually if any of you are near the midlands and fancy bringing your screaming toddlers to the school run I would be very grateful.

[Snusmumriken]

DS is obsessed with closing garden gates at the moment. We spent a god two hours today making sure each and every gate in our close proximity was well and truly shut.

[PickledInAPearTree]

You are not alone. I dread walking with ds it would be easier to herd cats.

[plantsitter]

You mustn't be looking. Or you live a long way away from me! I am often to be seen doing a rugby ball hold on DD2 as she screams 'Walk! Walk!' to get her across the road.

[MrsGeologist]

Not alone. DS2 decided to have a screaming tantrum in the school playground while we were picking up DS1.

A school art exhibition was on as well, so this was in front if the whole school. Parents, teachers, children, all saw my 17mo lay on the floor screaming.

I was so proud.

[elfycat]

You're not looking my way then! DD2 has just entered the 'terribles' and DD1 is about to turn 4 and still hasn't quite finished. I was the woman with a firm grip on 2 screamers yesterday. DD2 ended up under my arm and DD1 nearly lifted by her arm after she tried the tantrum-collapse while crossing a road.

I'll look back and laugh apparently. My mother is now...

[PickledInAPearTree]

Ds just lies in the road screaming like I'm going to boil him in oil.

He won't hold hands ever

He likes to run to the centre if the road and hold his hands out Jesus like at oncoming traffic!

Argh.

[AWimbaWay]

I once had to fireman's lift my then 2 yr old all the way home over one shoulder with a 6 month old on my front in sling and shopping bags in my other hand, she'd decided she was going to lie down on the road in the middle of a busy junction. Two homeless men drinking special brew kindly helped me get bags, toddler, baby etc. balanced safely on my 5ft1 frame. Really not sure why I thought it was a good idea to go out without a pushchair that day, never did again!

[IvorHughJangova]

Mine does 'floppy toddler syndrome'. The legs go all bandy, the face screws up, the yelling begins and I end up dragging him on his knees muttering Please stand up, please stand up while the whole world and his wife stare at me in horror (I'm sure they don't, I don't know, I see nothing but me and Nightmare Child as if viewing from above in some ghastly bloody cinema of shame). I would pick him up but then he does 'rigid thrashy toddler' and that's even worse, as he inevitably (sp...) whacks my glasses off and renders me blind.

You and me should go out together Op. We can chat merrily over their screaming heads.

[annie11]

Elle I did exactly that, in the pouring rain- 8 months pregnant, firemen's lifting 2 and a half stone of squirming 2 year old who was determined to go the opposite direction from home so he could sit at a bus stop. I wouldn't mind, but he will sit at bus stops for hours, and try to get into every bus. Then sit himself dramatically into the nearest puddle and scream like a banshee when I don't let him.

I foresee a glittering Hollywood career for my son. :D

[ledkr]

I have hurt dds arm a couple of times when insisting on holding hands but more like holding her wrist, and then she drops. I live in fear ill have to explain this at a and e as I'm a sw.
She hates reins too which she demonstrated last summer in a gorgeous town square in Renne, when she was head butting the floor in temper she just wants to walk where she wants to and dies it in a kind of bouncy striding manner. We call it her cocky walk.

[SneakyBiscuitEater]

My DD2 is exactly the same, she screams "Help Me, Help Me" whilst I am carrying her. She is just two and I am usually carrying her like a surfboard under my arm with a screaming head out one end and her thrashing kicking legs out the other end.

It will pass, we are now on the countdown to when she magically turns into a delightful, helpful three year old like DS and DD1 did, so hang on in there.

[Leo35]

IT's awful isn't it? DS2was/is a bolter, and can put on a turn of speed. I really appreciated the Little Life sack as a help. I insisted on the holding hands as well as the Little Life, because he wouldn't fit the Little Life sack forever! Good luck and stay firm.