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?!

ds didn't walk until he was 16 months

he took the odd few steps but was happy crawling. then one day he decided he wanted to walk, and he could walk without falling over and within a week he was able to walk to the train station (which is nearly a mile) and he walked and walked and walked.....

same pattern with talking too and using the potty. ds was late talking but once he talked well he has not stopped and at times i wish he would

each of my 3 did all of the milestones at completely different times - walking from 11 - 17 months. you only need speak to your HV if you are worried. ignore people like this. she probably has the same thing for tea every monday and has a rigid routine to her own life so thinks we should all be the same. BYW was she mid to late 50's. i only ask because for some reason those in the not yet grandma category have always given me the most grief about my children - too fat, too thin, too noisy too quiet etc.

Good luck tethers!

As soon as DS is walking (presuming I'm still bothered by this. We'll see how long I can bear a grudge) I'm thinking of teaching him a rude, jiggly dance, and we'll go to hers and ring her bell and dance at her and run away.

And that'll learn her

I have 5 children, DS1 walked at 12 months, DS2 at 13 months, DD1 at 9 months, DS3 at 18 months and DD2 - bloody hell, can't even remember! but she did! If at 18 months they are making no effort to walk then it's time to consider worrying.

Unless neighbour is a paediatrician, ignore their 'advice'.

I want to punch people like that. She's talking arse IMO... I am possibly biased because my DS took first steps exactly at 16 months. It's not been an issue; most people say that late walkers are more likely to have ear issues (balance) than leg ones. Certainly DS is a bit prone to ear trouble and has big head.

Like you say, they go when ready and often prioritise either walking or talking. DS went for talking. I think 18 months is the official end of the 'normal' range if that helps.

I hope he starts walking today then - just so he can do the 'that'll learn her' dance on the neighbours doorstep.

Hi sugarice -

Even so called professionals can't half spout some rot! DS was reading before he started school and was a 'free reader' in reception before getting a 2b in the KS1 SATs tests the school thought necessary for him to take when he was still 4 y.o.

she's a silly bitch

IGNORE

god why do people feel like they can say this shite? ugh

Both mine were 17 months, and both totally normal! Do just ignore her.

I was worried sick about all this, until DD finally walked at 17 months. People's comments were the worst, including a family "friend" - wait for it: "is she handicapped?"

Mine weren't even doing any standing/toddling at 14 months. Got up and walked at 16 months. Advantage of late walkers is they are steady on their feet very quickly so no horrible banged heads etc which earlier walkers seemed to get. Don't fret, it will happen when he's ready

My ds's walked at 15 months and 16 months. They all get there in their own time ignore ridiculous neighbour

Ignore. I could have written your post about my neighbour (except I have a dd). Dd is walking now at nearly 17 months but is still a bit wobbly. On the other hand she NEVER shuts up! They all do things in their own time.

Even more encouragement from here. DS2 finally walked at 20 months. And not even any words yet in compensation. But since DS1 (ASD) didn't say anything until he was 4. All in their own good time. :-)

My ds was 18 months when he started walking and, by that point, I was sick to death of comments from other people whose little darlings were (allegedly) running marathons at 9 months... He did it in his own time, as will your ds. Ds is 6 now and still not dry at night, and this too is way more of a concern to everyone else than it is to me!

DS was 20 months. He just stood up one day and walked entirely unaided. He didn't stagger about, didn't fall over, didn't do any of that wobbly stuff that younger walkers do but I'll admit that I did worry about it (google is not your friend when it comes to this stuff).

The only downside with late walkers is trying to find them soft crawling shoes in larger sizes. Otherwise, it's quite a bonus really :)

People are so rude - I wonder why they think that anyone would be interested in their stupid opinion?

He's well within normal limits, don't worry

Don't listen OP, your neighbour was really rude to have said anything and it's not even a problem anyway. DS1 was 14 months when he started walking, but at 15 months DS2 is still not walking unaided - will hold hands and cruise around the furniture and if you stand him up he can balance and crouch right down and get back up again, but won't move his feet if no-one is holding him.

DS1 also was starting to say words by 15 months and DS2 just gabbles away and grunts and points a lot, on the other hand DS2 is very physical with climbing and rolling around, whereas DS1 is only now, at 3.5 starting to get more physicality.

Every one of them is different, don't worry at all.

I used to see (very specifically) 15 month olds as part of a job- I saw over 100 children over a year. I'd say the majority were walking by then but many mothers said that they had only literally taken steps that week or the past fortnight. So really, you have nothing to worry about at all! People can be very rude and you have to develop teflon shoulders, somewhat.

Dc1 was 17 months. Dc2 was 10 months. I know which I preferred!

to you all. Thank you.

She was rude, I don't know why I didn't think 'how rude' rather than torturing myself endlessly that she had some kind of point. She seems to have opened a whole can of walking worms now though.

Since yesterday FIL has asked 'Walking yet?' when he bumped into us earlier today; and his key worker at nursery told me in her reassuring voice that he had stood up very nicely after lunch, so 'hopefully he won't be much longer finding his feet'.

With my new, mumsnet inspired confidence I replied to both of these that 'Children develop at different rates in different ways, we're in no rush'. And pulled my best cats-bum-mouth face.

Bloody people...!