Afraid of the grass..

[karen99]

Hi, my ds (11mo) is afraid of the grass. I first put him on our lawn a month or so ago, but he just cried to be picked up. Slowly it has gotten better in the fact he will *just sit there, but he won't even attempt to crawl or put his hands down in the grass. I've done everything I can think of to tempt him to crawl and enjoy the grass (football with daddy, his favourite toys a foot away, food - I've tempted him with everything and tried to make it fun).

Is this common? His friends have all taken to it within a week of introduction.. I guess one day he'll give in, but I can't think of any more ideas... Helllpp!

Hi, my ds was like this - can't remember what age or for how long but he totally grew out of it - sure it will be the same for yours!

My 11 month old is exactly the same but it has its advantages. If you stick them on a rug on the grass you have a very effective and cheap playpen.

Have you tried something he can stand and push along so his hands don't have to touch the evil grass?

I think they just get used to it. It's reminded me of when we went on a beach holiday when my dd was one. We got to the beach, she was SO excited, she put one foot on the sand and screamed blue murder - (very quick end to idyllic beach holiday). After that, she wouldn't go near the beach. When we got home, I introduced it to her slowly (sand pit etc.) and it slowly got better.

Unfortunately, I think its a matter of time. He's just at that age where everything's new (moving around and that). The more you go onto the grass, the better it will get I'm sure. Oh, and let him pick and pull the grass a bit. They love doing that!

Thanks for the ideas. Funnily enough he didn't mind the sand so much when we went to a beach a few weeks ago. Initially he was apprehensive but enjoyed picking it up and seeing it flow through his hands (but definitely not on the feet!). I hadn't thought about it being an advantage re: playpen! Great thought! We do use a rug and he won't go off it! Maybe I need to have my back turned IYKWIM so he thinks I'm not looking and tries it himself. Maybe he knows he'll be picked up eventually.. but if left.. And I will get his baby walker car thingy out there. That's another idea as he does stand occasionally.

I know it has to change at some point so I guess I'll have to be patient. Will keep trying every day whilst the weather is nice. Just didn't know if it was an unusual behaviour or not. Thanks!

My ds went through a very very short phase of being afraid of lawns just after he started to walk. I don't think it lasted more than a week or two. Hang in there, I'm sure it will change.

I would just sit out there with him and play with things. Don't make a thing of trying to get him to move - let him do that in his own time. Just build his confidence by getting familiar witt the situation. It may be just that he feels threatened by being in such a big open space, or maybe that he doesn't like the feel of the grass.

perfectly normal, both of mine hated it as littlies, dd 18 mths still will not touch it, when they start walking they get more confident though..

Totally normal I think - my ds (11 months) is just about getting used to it but it takes a few minutes to get him 'acclimatised' each time!

The funniest thing, though, is when I sit him down on the grass he spends the first couple of minutes trying to hold his feet up in the air so they don't have to touch the nasty green stuff

moominmama - EXACTLY!

He loves being outside, particularly on daddy's shoulders chasing the ball around and he is happy on the blanket. Perhaps if I relax about it he might just become more comfortable out there. He used to throw himself into everything when he was younger but now takes his time with lots of things. I think you're right, throckenholt, he just needs to build up his confidence.

Thanks again everyone

Karen99, this thread title made me laugh. My ds1 was EXACTLY like this. But it was great as we could sit him on a big blanket with toys and know he would never venture off it. No chance of him getting lost if we went on a picnic or leaving a shaded area to go in the sun !!
When he started walking he wouldn't go barefoot in the garden either. But at almost 6 he's over it now. Ds2 never had this particular foible .

We discovered last week that ds, 13 months, won't touch the grass. If he thinks that even a tiny bit of him is touching it he tries to lift everything off the ground. In a way it's hilarious, but he looks so unsure about it, poor little thing.
I'm hoping he'll get used to it. Your ds is not alone!

I knew those who've 'been there' would know exactly what I was talking about! Funnily enough ds did get on better in the grass with shoes and tracksuit bottoms on so he couldn't feel the prickles as much (he actually took a few steps to kick the ball with me holding him). Even though it's warmer now may try that again.

Gosh.. 13mo.. almost 6.. will definitely be more patient with him

YEY! YEY! YEY! He's done it. Two days in a row now he's crawled a significant distance on the grass, and kept crawling. Alot of patience, extra clothing (ie. socks & long trousers) and quiet time out on the grass - it's finally paid off.

Today he crawled with only shorts on and he actually looked like he enjoyed it. Now I just have to stop him from eating leaves

Thanks for the advice MN!

Hurrah for the wee man!!!

Eating leaves is definitely the least of your worries - has he spotted any beasties yet?

BTW - I have some crawling knees pads which ds never really used. They look like skateboarder kneepads but with teddies and alphabet on them - would maybe be useful if he's out in shorts? Let me know

Arrgh! Forgot about beasties! [and I know your ds has tasted them all ]

Yes pls to the knee pads if you don't mind. [And I've still got your magasine..]