Please help. Need tips on how to walk with 15 months old DS

[lovemynathy]

My DS is very active little monkey. Usually we go to play barns etc, but when my DH takes car we are stuck in town where no activities for LO, except a very quite play ground in a park where I am scared to go on my own. I try to let him walk when we are going somewhere, but he is walking everywhere except the way we need to go. Ho goes in people's drives, gardens, attempts to go on the road etc. when I stop him it's end up in a tantrum and eventually I put him back into pram. It is just said for me to keep him there when by nature he needs to be active. Any tips on how to behave with all this. Thank you x

One word - reins!

I would keep him in the pram most of the time, unless you are somewhere he can walk around safely. He is still only very young really.

If you want him to walk try something like the little life back packs at least then you can keep him next to you

He's only 15 months, it's natural for him to just go where he wants, so best to keep him in the pram if it's not safe.

Why are you afraid to go to the park?

It will get better soon, I remember my DS was a bit frustrating at this phase (he was also eating gravel when he could find it!) but it doesn't last forever.

Reins here too

Mine is 17 mo and walking in any direction other than the way he wants to go simply does not happen. And that's just inside never mind outside!

Reins or pushchair, them's the breaks. He's only tiny, don't stress, it really doesn't matter.

It's far more important that you keep him safe.

Reins are perfect for if you're shopping so can't let him wander freely without fear of losing him!

Thanks, I tried reins today, but they were not much help to me, maybe cos we did not use to them yet. You are right, the main thing to keep him safe. Maybe I just want too much. I just wanted him to not feel like he is restricted .... Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts

God, no. There's a time for unrestricted, and there's a time for moving quickly and safely from a to b. The park with the railings and the child proof gate is the unrestricted time. The path next to the road is the pushchair or backpack time.

He's 15 months, not 5. You've obviously got way more time on your hands than I ever had with a 15mo. Who on earth lets them walk everywhere? you'd never make it home! Small children do throw a tantrum if they get put in a buggy. Hey ho. I'd rather they were alive and I managed to get where I needed to be. They get used to it, and the screeching in the buggy is usually a fairly short phase anyway.

Ime reins are useless. OK they stop them going where you dont want but they dont make them go where you want them to. I dont think you can really get a 15 month old to walk like that as others have said. Have you thought of a sling to put him on your back?

You can't get a 15mo to walk where you want. You can keep them safe while they meander, or you can put them in the pushchair and actually get where you're going. Don't worry about having a destination, though - if you want him to walk then just walk with him and see where it takes you. If he wants to sit down in a shop doorway for ten minutes and you're happy to stand there, that's all fine.