To be annoyed with parents allowing their "just walking " toddlers to wander aimlessly

[Ab1000]

When I'm on my lunch break I'm always in a rush to get stuff done. It's so annoying when parents allow their kids to toddle around and get in everyone's way. I have two children so I do know what it's like but mine were either on reins or had a hand firmly held.

crashdoll - I am sorry, I am not comparing people with disabilities to toddlers - but as the op was talking about the slowness and unsteadiness of the toddlers in front of her, I was asking the op, whether the slowness, or difficulty in walking that an elderly person, or someone like my son, who is disabled may have, is also a pain in the arse for them. My ds isn't a toddler either, and it is likely he will always be unsteady, and have the gait he has now, people have tutted at his slowness, hence my question.

So many "my toddler will not hold my hand", or " will not go on reins" on this thread... Why are all the toddlers in charge?

Exactly Flogging

I also find with toddlers the judgement is often "what's the least annoying/disruptive/dangerous thing they could be doing right now?" Parent may have come to conclusion that toddler 'running amok' is going to piss people off less than toddler having a screaming tantrum.

I took DS to shop to buy him new shoes recently. Was in buggy but was kicking off massively. I'd abandoned a previous trip to buy shoes in similar circumstances and this time we really needed to get it done. To save him screaming the place down I let him out of the buggy and he started using the chairs as an obstacle course whilst I picked out some shoes for him to try. I was aware this looked like shitty parenting on my part, leaving him crawling over and under the chairs whilst I browsing, but to me it was the best I could do in the circumstanceS

With toddlers it's not as though sitting quietly and acting angelic is always an available option that parents are choosing to ignore.

I was interpreting "won't go on reins" as "lies on floor screaming and thrashing once put into reins", which can cause even more of a blockage than an ambling toddler.

Mine is ok in reins but turns into a howling rage demon about holding hands. I've always stuck her in a carrier when in manically busy places. (Victoria at rush hour with a tired grumpy toddler, that was fun...)

Nicely put, Bubbins

I saw a toddler refuse to walk on her reins in town last week she just launched herself forward like an acrobat and was dangling the poor dad just had to stand there with the dangling baby

Not just toddlers.
Sat in hospital waiting room last week, in walks Mummy with little Godfrey (not his real name). Godfrey is about 4 and a pain in the arse. Mum seems to confuse this with him being clever. He's running around, in and out of side consulting rooms etc whilst Mummy sits on her arse clapping with glee at how bloody clever he is. Staff meanwhile keep giving her the stink eye.

Had to smile as she stood up and I noticed she was wearing a hoodie from the local Drama School. I suspect Godfrey will be precocious child star of the future.

I got mine used to reins as soon as he was walking outside of the house. It was a good job that I did as at 11 his learning difficulties mean he has no idea of safety and so still needs them in all but the quietest places.
Holding hands however is a different story because he used to bite mine whenever I tried to hold his.

So old folks can't go to Tesco between 12 and 2? And what about commuter hours? Are they allowed out between 7am-9.30? 4pm-7pm? You're not giving them much of a window.

Yes it's annoying but that's life. Even as adults we have to learn new things and practice them in the real world so just suck it up.

Sigh, I've folded and done a diagram. Pink pen denotes Toddler route from A to B if not guided.
Purple pen - the rest of society.

It's not about being slow (I would hope for the vast majority of us!) They have zero awareness for everything around them, except butterflies and dogs

I think it's ok to let a toddler wander around, as long as it's safe to do so. It's not really your pavement any more than it is theirs. Just my opinion.

"Yes they have to learn to walk....but is Durham City Centre on a Saturday morning really optimum timing?"

Surely all that anyone is asking for here is a bit of common sense and consideration?

Of course toddlers toddle, and they have a right to be out and about with their parents, enjoying the world, and of course parents do need to go out with their small children, and may have to do so in busy times and busy places - that is life, and it is wrong to judge the parent who takes their small child out to a busy supermarket/railway station/street. A bit of understanding and consideration for the parent with the small child is not too much to ask, imo.

But a bit of thought and consideration from the parent/s of the toddler is not too much to ask for either. Be aware of your surroundings, and if you are in a busy place, where people are going to be in a hurry, keep your child close to you and don't let them free-range and hold everyone else up. Don't let them toddle round a coffee shop where people are carrying hot drinks - it's not safe. If the supermarket is busy, and there are queues for the checkouts, don't let your child take ages putting things through the self-checkout - do that another time when things are quieter.

It is about give and take from both sides.

Floggingmolly please, if you can tell me how to make a 15mo hold my hand against his will without throwing himself on the floor and whinging like fuck, I'm all ears....

Put him in a buggy... Why do you think he's safe not holding your hand? Unless you're in the middle of Epping Forest

A 15 month old who has no awareness of safety and danger needs to be in a pushchair

Wow, I can't believe I am reading some of these comments and from parents too!
How intolerant our society is becoming.

I allow my 4yo ds to walk and haven't had him in a pram since he learned to walk apart from long journeys, if I had I would have been labelled lazy. You can't win! My Dd won't have her pram when she learns to walk either. I encounter people on the school run who think I should allow my Ds to walk on the road to make room for them on a narrow pathway. Fuck off your an adult with more road sense than him. He always sticks to my side but with the pram and him next to me probably does make it difficult for others. Would I allow my son to let go of the pram and walk in front or behind me? Would I hell as like!! I don't give a shit about you getting to work or how much of a rush you are in, I give a shit about Ds being safe by my side. Should I just leave him home alone instead ofor making things difficult for you? Hmm no that would be illegal!

OP is making the point that it is frustrating between 12-2 as a lot of people have a limited time to do things. It would be more pleasant all round if people who didn't have to be out at that time in the bank etc went at a different time - they wouldn't have to queue for so long either. That isn't just small children, disabled people etc.

Still, it's clear who on this thread allows their child to amble along getting in people's way but expects other people to get out of the way of their PFB

It's not their fault you're in a rush! Schedule better. If they're in a dangerous or majorly inconvenient place, yes they should be picked up or put in a buggy, but otherwise it's nice to see parents encouraging them to walk.

My 3 year old walks.

Has done since she was 2.5. She's fine. No running off, walks nicely, holds hands when asked and watches where she's going

My 1 year old on the other hand is more difficult. He will hold your hand if you insist, but then he will mess about and sit down and refuse to move

So for his safety and my sanity, he's in a buggy

You will hate me then. Dd is 18 month and I no longer use a buggy, yeah she walks slowly with only having little legs but what right does anyone have to say she should be In a buggy because of her speed. I'd rather be stuck behind a toddler than someone to engrossed in their phone who suddenly stops when they realise they've walked past their destination and suddenly turn round.

So from quickly reading this my toddler is not allowed to walk in public on the school run both morning and afternoon and not between the hours of 12pm and 2pm; so when exactly is she allowed to walk?! Personally I'd rather she walk than become an obese lazy child. Admittedly when it busy or dangerous I'll carry her/use a buggy all other time we walk and expect others to pay us as much courtesy as we do them

Yes you all sound very courteous