DS is 2yr 5mo. He's fabulous, sociable, energetic and very good fun. However - getting him out of the house is becoming so stressful I'm dreading even a simple trip to the shops. He doesn't like his pushchair anymore, fair enough, BUT he will not hold my hand properly or walk in the same direction as me. Reins help a bit (we have the littlelife backpack ones) but doesn't stop the dragging. He tries to sprint into roads. He drops to the ground CONSTANTLY, which can overbalance me (I'm pregnant), and makes carrying bags very hard. He won't stand still (e.g. in a queue) at all, so shopping even at quieter times is really hard work. This isnt accompanied by a tantrum, just a reluctance to go anywhere that isn't solely dictated by him. I should mention he gets plenty of 'free' running time in the park etc, he's certainly not expected to walk round the shops with me for hours on end.
On top of this, he can easily get the shoulder straps of his car seat off (it's a joie stages ERF one) - we've tried the Be Safe clip, which he just yanks off himself. So most journeys he ends up learning out cheerfully commenting on things he can see, as I panic and constantly look for somewhere to strap him back in (within seconds he's out again). If someone is in the back with him this can be avoided but obviously it's sometimes just him and me in the car.
Has anyone got any strategies for me, in terms of encouraging him to walk alongside me and be even slightly patient in shops? Or getting the wee beast to not wriggle out of his straps?