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Original poster

When toddlers won’t walk, won’t go in pushchair and won’t use balance bike etc …

153 replies

Lostinthewood2 · 27/11/2025 10:06

Are we housebound or committed to carrying her around for the foreseeable?

Obviously I am being slightly facetious there but it is becoming a pain … She is 2 years and four months to give an idea.

OP posts:
TooTiredMum2 · 27/11/2025 10:11

That sounds tough…have you exhausted all tactics to get her in pushchair, like bribery, a stern talk, explanation, distraction, and taking her to places she wants to be?

LadyDanburysHat · 27/11/2025 10:12

With my DC if they wouldn't walk there was no such thing as not going in the pushchair. They would be put in there and could scream if they wanted to, but I had things to do.

Balloonhearts · 27/11/2025 10:15

LadyDanburysHat · 27/11/2025 10:12

With my DC if they wouldn't walk there was no such thing as not going in the pushchair. They would be put in there and could scream if they wanted to, but I had things to do.

This. They walk or go in, there is no negotiation.

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Original poster
Lostinthewood2 · 27/11/2025 10:18

LadyDanburysHat · 27/11/2025 10:12

With my DC if they wouldn't walk there was no such thing as not going in the pushchair. They would be put in there and could scream if they wanted to, but I had things to do.

I was anticipating answers like this and it’s possible our pushchair isn’t very good but to say it’s a fight is not really accurate, it’s absolutely awful, end up practically tanking her arms out of her socket and shoving her middle in. And once you’ve done that she just flings herself desperately from side to side so you can’t really walk safely. And she can get out of the shoulder parts of the straps easily enough so ends up twisting her upper body round. As well as the screaming which is stressful for her and me. And unpleasant for everyone else so … I guess whatever I’d need to do would have to wait 😬

None of it seems to work @TooTiredMum2 - maybe I’m not doing the right things.

OP posts:
Yesimmoaningaboutbenefits · 27/11/2025 10:20

Tickle her. Makes them go floppy and then you strap them in as quickly as possible.

OrangeLeaf74 · 27/11/2025 10:20

Mine was like this. I managed to get her in the pushchair through bribery of raisins, but only once she was in. She loves raisins so it worked. Also I then got a scooter with a pull along handle and pulled her around everywhere and still do now. You can get scooters with seats too if that helps.

itsthetea · 27/11/2025 10:21

Let her scream

she has learnt she gets a carry if she kicks off

let her twist and squirm and rock

yes being a parent is sometimes very uncomfortable

LadyDanburysHat · 27/11/2025 10:21

It might be unpleasant, but if she knows that you will not let her out again she will get used to it. I imagine at the moment that she screams and flails around so you give up and let her out. She knows that she will get her own way.

Sleepyandtiredandlazy · 27/11/2025 10:21

I don't understand this.

Going in the pushchair was part of my DS's daily, and I mean daily, routine as soon as he graduated from his pram. He loved going out and seeing what was going on in world outside.
We didn't have a car of course.

Is your DD expecting to be carried all the time or is getting transported every where by car her normal routine?

Original poster
Lostinthewood2 · 27/11/2025 10:23

We do use the car a lot (no choice before anyone comes at me; we don’t live in an area that lends itself to walking) but in all honesty I am a bit worried about her lack of physical activity.

I appreciate some people are either stronger or can actually get their kids in the pushchair: I can’t or if I can I just can’t keep her in it. And I don’t think going out with the aim of us both being stressed and miserable is sensible!

OP posts:
stackhead · 27/11/2025 10:24

Yeah, I'm in the camp of they'll go in the pushchair.

Like a PP if you tickle them they go floppy and gives you a few seconds to get them strapped in. Otherwise the bribe of a snack helps.

Buy an extra strap to go across her chest to stop her getting her arms out and then ignore the screaming. It'll stop eventually.

alatusblack · 27/11/2025 10:25

LadyDanburysHat · 27/11/2025 10:12

With my DC if they wouldn't walk there was no such thing as not going in the pushchair. They would be put in there and could scream if they wanted to, but I had things to do.

Me too. If they made a fuss, we made them laugh. They can’t laugh and be rigid as a board at the same time.

Original poster
Lostinthewood2 · 27/11/2025 10:25

I can only say again forcing her in doesn’t work. Even if I manage to get her in I can’t keep her in.

Hopefully it is short lived. Not much fun, though.

OP posts:
itsthetea · 27/11/2025 10:25

She will get plenty of activity squirming around !

Hohumdedum · 27/11/2025 10:27

Do you cycle? We had a bike with a trailer for DC.

But otherwise, yes I did make dc go in the buggy, and yes I often had a baby carrier handy for longer walks just in case until they were 4!

Also had a three wheeled scooter that dc would stand on and I'd hold their hand and pull them along.

Also had a trike with a handle for me to push.

One of those usually did the trick!

itsthetea · 27/11/2025 10:27

She gets out? Take her hand and say “oh you want to walk now “
she screams ( I know the routine !)
oh ? You want to go back in ? And put her back in

rinse and repeat and you will get there

Original poster
Lostinthewood2 · 27/11/2025 10:27

I can’t put her back in 😬

OP posts:
kiwiane · 27/11/2025 10:29

As with car seats I’d end up forcing them into a pushchair and strapping them in well. It’s not nice but you can’t sit at home all day due to the toddler; hopefully it’s a short lived phase.

lohpetite · 27/11/2025 10:30

Is it an attachment thing? Would back facing help? Ie looking at you. Does she have a dolls pushchair? Maybe playing with one might get her used to it. Just thinking of other ideas.

itsthetea · 27/11/2025 10:30

Oh yes you can - woman up - you are bigger and stronger

and make sure you have her in reins so that when you are redoing straps and things you can stop her running off without needing to pick her up

2chocolateoranges · 27/11/2025 10:33

2 options in our house, walk or in the pram.

if your child can get out the pram then you need a better one or attach reins onto the pram to keep them in,

by giving in your child knows that if they scream, they get their own way. As a parent you are allowed to say NO!

stackhead · 27/11/2025 10:33

Lostinthewood2 · 27/11/2025 10:27

I can’t put her back in 😬

How can you not put her back in? Is she bigger than you?

AlexaStopAlexaNo · 27/11/2025 10:35

Yep. This is why parents are physically stronger than toddlers. Frankly, she either sits there herself or is sat there.

Original poster
Lostinthewood2 · 27/11/2025 10:37

@itsthetea - as I’ve said a few times now even if I get her in it she flings herself about so much that it’s actually a struggle to keep the pushchair upright. Fair enough if it’s life or death but if I’m trying to do something fun for us both it negates the point (as well as impacting on other people’s enjoyment if we’re in public.)

OP posts:
Original poster
Lostinthewood2 · 27/11/2025 10:38

Anyway, it’s one of those threads where id love it if anyone else who had this has been there but it does seem it’s unique to us.

OP posts: