by not worrying (until now) about DS walking?

[FeakAndWeeble]

DS is 14mo and is toddling about holding the furniture or our hands but has yet to walk independently. We're in no rush, he's perfectly healthy and happy, we're just helping him whenever he indicates he'd like to go for a wander.

Earlier I was putting him in the car outside my dad's house when a neighbour I don't know approached and asked his age, then whether or not he's walking. When I said he was toddling but not properly walking yet she said to DS 'Well you're a very lazy boy then, and mummy needs to stop carrying you!' and walked off.

I was a bit and just got in the car and drove off - but it played on me all the way home and now I've got myself all worked up that I'm doing something wrong/DS isn't developing as he should.

Is she right? Or do children - as I'd thought - just do things at different times and when they're ready? He chatters nineteen to the dozen and has lots of words. My friend's DS is of a similar age and has been walking since he was one but never says a word. Children are just different.... Right?!

I've often had similar comments about ds. I find it odd really as it has always walked more than other children his age as he hasn't ever (except once) used a pushchair. Not sure why carrying is so bad and to be judged when pushchairs wouldn't be.
Carrying him wont impact his walking at all unless you never put him down.

Don't worry about what your neighbour said, your boy will walk soon enough when he's ready.

Funny thing was she just sort of appeared out of nowhere when DS was already strapped into his car seat, so for all she knew I'd walked him to the car (I hadn't, we were leaving because he was having a sleepy strop).

But is 14mo really late to not be walking on his own yet?

Thanks sugar

Don't worry your DS is completely normal- my DS was 16 months before he walked. If he was between 18 months and 2 years and it hadn't happened yet I would be a bit more concerned. Some folk just can't help but pass comment- ignore her silly cow.

My DS is 14 months and still won't walk on his own. He's even in a class at daycare where all the other kids walk, so lots of influence and opportunities. I'm in no rush as this way he's still a lot slower than I am

Ignore ignore ignore! Why do people make stupid comments like that?

Fwiw my DS2 has been walking since 12 months, but at nearly 19 months he DOES NOT SAY A WORD!! Not one! Whereas. DS1 had so many words by this age. But I'm not worried most of the time

Ignore your neighbour it's completely normal for a 14 month old not to be walking.0

DD was 16 months. Barring actual physical problems, they all get there sooner or later.

Your neighbour is a tit.....ignore her.

you are completely right ignore ignore ignore the 'helpful' neighbour ... ds didn't let go of things until 16/17months then started to run... if he's on his feet great - ds liked a walker thing to push we got one from ikea as you could slow it down..... think the official milestone is before 2 year check and range is from 10- 18months as a norm.. but not sure where I have that from

Don't worry. I fit kids shoes, and I see kids who've just started walking daily, and they're all at diffent ages. What we see is sometimes they'll advance in one way and something else will be a bit later as a result, so if he's talking thats obviously his thing.

My DS did not walk a step until a week before his 2nd birthday when he got up and walked down the corridor. He is now nearly 6. He will walk when he's ready, don't worry!

Neither of my ds' walked until they were 14 months. Dd was 1 at the beginning of May and she won't even walk when you hold both her hands and try to 'walk' her about. She is just starting to walk around the furniture a little. I can't see her walking any time soon. The 'norm' is anything up to 18 months I believe. Don't let it worry you, some people can say some amazingly stupid things!

Your DS sounds perfectly normal to me. Ignore idiotic neighbour.

to all of you.

Before I had DS I'd had.... Mmmm.... Yeah, pretty much no involvement whatsoever with any children ever, so for the first few months I read copious amounts of terrifying manuals baby books and tortured myself whenever DS didn't do something he 'should be' at a certain age - or even when he did it 'too early'. Weaned myself off the bloody things when I started going proper peculiar at the end of last year so I hadn't looked up things like 'when they should start walking'. So she scared me a bit.

I love you lovely MNetters. You are much better than baby books and crazy women.

My dd is exactly the same, 14 months, chatters none stop, can tell you all kinds of animal noises and facial features an demand BUT won't even entertain the idea of walking, she gets around on her knees so half way between crawling and walking and has on occasion walked around the furniture and holding hands but other than that there's been no signs of walking, at her 12 month check the health visitor said don't worry til she's 15 months and still showing no interest but I've known children not walk til gone 2 so even at 15 months I won't be overly worried :)

I thought 14 months was the average. Like your friend's son, mine walked at 11 months but at 15 months only says 'shoes' and 'juice' which actually sound like the same word. They can't learn everything at once - some focus on movement, some on language etc for certain periods then seem to give more focus to a different skill.
I was talking to a dad at soft play last week. His son was 16 months and not walking but he hands down was a better climber than any of the other kids there and could climb up the steep slide which most of the three year olds couldn't do. Nurture the thing they focus on at that time and give opportunities for other skills but don't push it - in time they will all be walking and talking.

DD didn't walk until she was 20mo. It happened in much the same way as Nenufar's DS

She did have over 100 words by 12mo and was chatting away in sentences, but all I got were pitying glances and concerned comments from complete strangers.

where's your baby tethers?

Please do not worry if your child is pulling up and weight bearing then it will come in good time. DS1 walked at 17 months, DD at 22 months both love rugby dancing etc very active. DS2 broke the mould at 14 months we thought he was early!! I think it clan run in families as I walked late but I would say 14 months is very normal ignore then all!!!

14 months is the average age! Numpty woman! My DS2 only just started walking at 20 months! I wonder what she'd think of that. She'd probably call the SS.

Just wanted to add when they did eventuLly decide they wanted to walk that wAs it they were good walkers,very strong with very little of the toddling stage, both were bottom shufflers before they walked as well!

I would tell your neighbour to keep her mouth shut! How rude of her! I hate it when people make passive aggressive judgemental comments directly to the child.

14 month is not that late I think it is average these days. Both mine were later than that and i would be shocked if ds3 walks earlier than that cos im not used to it!
That lady needs to mind her own business as she sounds quite rude! I had a similar comment for my ds2 not crawling aparently because i 'carried him too much'