Learning to walk

[Griffomais]

I'm in need of some help/advice my DD is 15 months and not walking yet - she can walk but she doesn't do it all the time however she's nearly got the hang of it. I'm finding she's getting so frustrated with everything and starting to have little tantrums which I can't seem to help her with. She won't go into her highchair her whole body goes rigid and she screams and cries. I'm so tired and drained with the battles. I just wondered is this all part of learning to walk is she just so focused on this that she's getting frustrated with everything else. Or do we have a problem? Any advice would be appreciated.

[NickyEds]

I imagine that it would be very frustrating being so close to walking but it could just be a 15 months old thing. My ds is just short of 14 months and has started to tantrum a bit. It sounds very similar to your dd with the going rigid thing, he threw a proper tantrum in the library the other day and i couldn't get him into his buggy, he was red in the face and screeching- it was horrid. I don't think it's a problem, well not a developmental issue (very much an embarrassment one though)anyway- I just think some babies reach the terrible twos before they're two IYSWIM. Half hoping someone comes along to say it's a (short) phase.

Do you have a push along walker?

[BertieBotts]

YY so normal for them to suffer behaviour/sleep/eating wise just before a big development. It's exhausting for them, I think.

Although also normal for tantrums to start around this age as well. That's just a toddler thing, it's a while before they grow out of that one! :) Not a behaviour issue, but a developmental one.

So - could be either, but no cause for concern.

[TheYellowCat]

Congratulations you've got yourself a toddler!

Don't worry they mostly grow out of it by 3 or 4

[NickyEds]

When you say "3 or 4" you mean months right??

[wheresthelight]

No advice re walking I am afraid but with regards the high chair have you tried swapping tonal booster on a normal seat? we had this with my dd at about 14 months and since she has been sitting in a booster at the table with us she has been fab.

[madwomanbackintheattic]

Sounds entirely normal

This too shall pass?

[Jackanory1978]

My friends little boy didn't walk till he was 17 months & there was absolutely nothing wrong with him developmentally; he just needed a bit of extra time. Now he's 4 & running around all over the place, so I really wouldn't worry.

[Clobbered]

I don't think you have a problem as such, just a frustrated tantrum-ing toddler. Resisting high-chair/car-seat etc is perfectly normal - we used to call DS banana-man, due to the back arching and general rigidity at the sight of the car…
Picnic rug and eat on the floor until she is ready to join you at the table? Some battles aren't worth fighting.

[Griffomais]

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments & ideas. Low and behold she started walking properly this afternoon. I've got a booster seat (thanks where at my Mil's so I'll get that tomorrow and we'll try that instead of the highchair. Tonight dinner was a picnic on the rug great idea clobbered. Yes she does have a push along Nicky I brought it back out earlier. It's been a tough few days my DH works away from home so I've been on my own and was just feeling the strain. Thanks again you've all really helped.x

[NickyEds]

Good news on the walking op. I think tantrums are going to be a bit of a nightmare in our house. I always imagined myself staying calm and serene during a tantrum but in actual fact I was a flustered mess. I know you shouldn't but I was just soooo embarrassed when he was just screaming and everyone was looking thinking I was a crap mum. It is hard, especially if you're doing it on your own.