To ask when you let your toddler walk outside

[Immadeofwaxlarry]

My partners very apprehensive to let our 17 month old daughter walk outside even though she does nothing but potter about the house all day. AIBU to think he’s being silly?

Mine has walked outside since she could walk. Yup she falls sometimes, she doesnt really get badly hurt. I dont let her walk outside if it's very bumpy/sharp stones

She’s never walked outside? It’s important for them to walk on different surfaces, no one saying just to stick her outside and let her tear off and fall over. Hold her hand and explore, the woods, the park, pavements with traffic going past etc use reigns if you’re not sure about things, your husband needs to realise he has a small child and he can’t just career off ahead of you and learn some empathy and walk with your baby and you, what’s his rush?...he can walk fast on his own. I walk fast too, however I don’t do it when with my kids, we stroll or meander take in the countryside, chat etc you can use a back park or her buggy for when she’s tired and you want to go a distance.

Stick to grass/soft surfaces rather than concrete or tiles outside.
My DS was walking outside in shoes at 11 months (walking inside at 10 months).
Initially we held hands and he had a few stumbles but as the days went on he got more and more confident. He loves it now at 13 months.

How ridiculous. And as for speed - maybe point out that she may well not be walking at his pace for about another decade, so he'd better get used to it.

As soon as they can walk. Although mine were walking in the spring/summer so they walked in the garden until they had been walking for 6 weeks and could have shoes.

At 17 months now so she runs around parks but I really need to get her more used to walking places.

He’s being ridiculous and selfish in jot moderating his pace for either you or her

She’s only started to walk now to be honest so it’s not that’s what been able to walk for months without going outside, maybe two weeks of getting her used to walking inside. He’s going to let us try walking her outside today (she has Clark’s) and I have a pair of reins coming tomorrow

My nephews walked outside as soon as they were walking properly. Pair of reins, good shoes and off you go.

This is really really strange to read. It's not healthy to limit your child like this, especially at that age.
At 10mths DS learned to walk on holiday in Majorca.
At 1yr old he walked wherever it was safe to do so and he wanted to. At your daughters age we visited Disneyland Paris and he walked all over (in quiet areas) ran up to meet the characters, walked round the maze, explored the hotel areas.
I honestly don't understand why you'd do that to your child without any special needs being a factor.

It’s not that she’s been able to walk for months that should say

As soon as they could! It took them both a month or 2 to get used to shoes after they started walking so approx 13 months for both they were toddling around the park having an absolute ball. They did fall over (even when holding our hands!) but you walk slowly and somewhere like a playground with that spongy floor is brilliant to get them used to it without them properly hurting themselves.

Don't worry about reins. She needs to fall to learn. Obviously keep her safe, hold a hand, don't let her wander in silly places, but let her fall, let her look at things, let her potter around and explore. Its vital for development and learning.

I take my 15 month old out about three times a day at the moment into a very muddy field. He 'jumps' (stamps) in muddy puddles, falls over a lot and rolls about in the mud. While this means mud everywhere at home and lots of baths it's still preferable to being in the house all day every day.

@negomi90

Don't worry about reins. She needs to fall to learn. Obviously keep her safe, hold a hand, don't let her wander in silly places, but let her fall, let her look at things, let her potter around and explore. Its vital for development and learning.

They can still do all of that with reins but reins are much safer, especially if you have a child that bolts.

Walking in the park now, keeping an eye on busy cycle paths is fine. Have reins handy if you’re concerned.

Walking on a pavement by a busy road? Not yet.

@HitthatroadJack she goes to nursery actually so she does a lot all day, and even though she’s almost two she only started walking two weeks ago

You may well find reins are worse, my two have both fallen over more with reins on.

But wtf is 'he's going to let us' all about? tell him you're going out and if he wants to join then fine but if not let him be grumpy at home! Don't limit yourself.

It depends on the child. My DS was an early walker so walking confidently by 13 months. By 18 months, he could do a couple of miles walking beside me on the pavement wearing reins.

I wouldn't have let him do that while he was still tottering and falling on his face a lot. We stuck to grass and soft surfaces at that stage.

As soon as they were stable on there feet really. If they fall over a couple of times then do be it. But I’d always hold their hand

My 15 month old goes on walks with me. We started at 12 months when she had just learnt and now she can walk round the block (very very slowly). I think it's important for them to learn how to walk on different surfaces and navigate what to do when they stumble. Obviously keep a very close eye next to roads etc but no need to bubble wrap them!

Very strange. DS started walking at 10 months and by 12 months he was doing plenty of walking outside around the park etc with a hand hold for safety.

My kids nurseries used to take them on outings, welly walks etc.. How would the poor kids have coped if they hadn't started walking with their parents?

I know we live in a world where some people drive absolutely everywhere, but I genuinely cannot see HOW you can have a child who doesn't "walk outside".

Yes, they are slow, but you adjust!

It's around that age mine had their own little shopping basket and used to walk in supermarkets picking up their own grocery when I had the car - or walk TO the supermarkets and rest in the trolley because I am not cruel!

'He's going to let us' ..... ?
I hope you don't always bow to his ridiculous demands.

Reins are good. You can still let them fall over if you want while they are wearing them.

Get out to some parks and countryside and let her explore. No agenda ... no 'got to go this way, walk x miles'. Just dd led exploration.

She will probably be pottering outside at nursery.

It's a bit concerning that you wouldn't be taking her out to walk as soon as she can have a little totter. That's what her legs are for.

This is what parks are for