Seriously struggling to control my 2 year old on reins

[ChristmasCarrot]

I have a 2.5 year old and young baby. I use a pram for the baby and have dd on her reins. She is a big and heavy girl for her age, so a normal double pram isn't an option. She just throws herself off a buggy board.

She will literally drag me really hard on the reins. She will pull the other way or throw herself on the floor. I experimented with shorter reins, but she has sprained my wrists and bruised my arms by forcing herself on the floor.

She is totally non verbal, has very little understanding and I struggle to get her to listen anyway.

I'm seriously struggling to get out of the door with her

Would it make more sense to get a larger / stronger buggy, and put the baby in a sling ?

A double out n about stroller would work. I didn't manage Rein's after 2 yrs on my giant child.

Have you seen someone about your daughters uderstanding and speech? My son has a speech delay it's challenging, I know, especially if they appear older to other people. There is some help on the NHS just push for everything, worships, courses, assessments. Call your HV.

• workshops .. although worship might work, I haven't tried that avenue

eBay or facebook for second hand out n about's.

phonehome If you're talking about the nipper pushchair, it looks too big to get on a bus or train. I also have a super narrow hall.

I've spoken to the HV, as I'm 99% sure she's autistic. She's only just been put back on the waiting list and it can take ages (up to 18 months) just to be seen, never mind assessed. Any agency I ask seems reluctant to actually offer support, it just turns into accusing me of not being able to cope. Hey-ho, whatever suits their agenda.

That's a shame, is the wait for an Autism assessment ? The thing is there is things your HV can offer you, but it's like getting blood out off a stone, plus some are just lazy not as knowledgeable as others.

Are you in an an area with surestart centres, they often run speech / little talkers / chatterbox type courses? Phone them. My area doesn't have surestart. But there are still courses, via the family support service, but I had to push, push for one. They kept saying really long wait we won't refer you, but I just said yes I will wait, I want to be on the lists.

There is also portage schemes or behaviour or parenting courses.

If not the there is a self referral you can do for speech, you just have to find it, your HV doesn't need to be involved in that.

The thing is if you go via the speech route or even a parenting course then they can refer you on for an ASD assess if they pick up issues with your DC.

Shame about the pushchairs, I tend to walk everywhere, so rarely get the bus with a double stroller I don't drive. It just means I can wheel to the park and let them free! Hope you find a solution.

Have you tried buggy board? Though not sure if officially suitable for her age.

Double buggy idea is good.