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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

How do I get my lazy arse son to walk?

31 replies

Kif · 08/04/2008 16:05

He learnt to 'walk' on his knees when he was about 12 m.o. - and seems unmotivated to walk on his feet. I've seen him do a couple of steps unsupported, he'll potter around with a push-along walker and no problems with standing unaided.

I've been pretty relaxed about it. Walking on his knees has always seemed quite sensible way to 'walk' - he spends a lot of time with boisterous older kids, and knees are obviously harder to get knocked over from. Getting a little fed up now he's 17 months. Would really like him to able to join in running around when we go to the park.

So far I've provided push-along toys and low furniture to cruise around - and just waited for him to figure it out himself. My dad had good success with 'forcing the issue' when we visited for the weekend last month. Every time Ds went to his knees, my dad would hoik him to his feet. Ds kicked up huge stink, shot my dad some filthy looks, but did actually 'perform' once he'd got over being annoyed.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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CrackerOfNuts · 08/04/2008 16:11

He's 17mths, not 17 give, him a break.

LilRedWG · 08/04/2008 16:13

DD's started walking on Mothering Sunday - she's 22 months old!

17 months is fine - leave him alone please - he'll do it in his own time.

S1ur · 08/04/2008 16:15

I'm not sure there's much you can do really, and not sure whether it is appropriate to push it like your dad.

If you are concern you could mention it to your hv but personally I'd wait and see. I've known children or did that holding onto adult hands walking around thing for ages before feeling confident enough to just let go and get on with it. They got there though

Perhaps you could play games involving handing him toys for each hand while walikng backwards , but I kinda doubt it's laziness more a confidence thing. Balance is hard after all. As for joining in, if he joins in on his level that'd be okay wouldn't it?

lacarte · 08/04/2008 16:30

17 months is very little. he'll do it eventually, what's the rush?

chefswife · 08/04/2008 16:31

My youngest sister never even crawled? she just rolled everywhere. Then one day when she was 20 months old, she pulled herself up on the coffee table and started walking. She would run around that table forever, hand over hand, stumbling foot over foot all the while wearing a big, crazy grin and a hehehe sort of sound coming from her. With the middle sister, mom had to force her to get into walking but it was after two years and she wasn?t showing any interest. I don?t have children but all my friends say to just wait and see and if it starts to get really late, then get involved directly.

Original poster

Kif · 08/04/2008 17:03

We're in a fairly urban area, without a garden. With the weather improving, I'm taking Dd to the park frequently - but there is too much broken glass etc to let Ds crawl. He just ends up sitting in his buggy like a lemon the whole time - perhaps the odd push on the swing. Feel a bit bad for him - and wondered if I was doing 'enough' to encourage him.

He's obviously physically strong enough - just not got the balance and confidence quite sorted yet.

OP posts:

Othersideofthechannel · 08/04/2008 17:04

I thought this thread was going to be about a 4 yr old who still wanted to ride in the buggy!

S1ur · 08/04/2008 17:13

Well as I said I don't think you need to worry and there's not much you can 'do'. Except possibly look at safer parks further away. Tbh even if he was walking he'd still be falling which would NOT be great around broken glass.

ReallyTired · 08/04/2008 17:42

I don't think there is a lot you can do to make a 17 month old child walk. I believe child physios don't consider a child not walking an issue until the child is two years old.

My nephew walked on his knees and didn't walk until he was 18 months old. My son didn't take his first steps until he was 20 months old!

onefootinthegravy · 08/04/2008 17:49

Is he tall for his age - my DD started to walk at 18 mths old - the HV said a lot of tall kids walk later as they have further to fall down not sure that's true.
I figured TBH she was so fast on all fours she knew she could get there 3 times quicker by crawling - once on her feet though she was running evreywhere within 24 hours

auntieem · 08/04/2008 18:02

my dd2 crawled on her knees for what felt like forever. It was only when the physio referral was being made that she finally stood up - at 23.5 months and hasn't looked back!

mummaknowsbest · 08/04/2008 20:19

My dd didn't walk until she was 19 months, like your ds she was a knee bouncer
She would walk holding my hand but not unaided since finding her confidence we have never looked back or stopped running around after her!! I'm sure ds is fine, he'll walk in his own time xx

phlossie · 08/04/2008 21:06

A friend of mine hid the push along toys so her ds would have a go at walking by himself. He'll get it just as soon as he realises he's missing out - and he'll probably be one that walks and runs confidently straight away rather than tentatively wobbling for weeks.

aviatrix · 08/04/2008 21:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Feelingbetterslowly · 08/04/2008 21:09

Don't push him too much, he's only little-if you make him do something he's not ready for it could damage him x

TotalChaos · 08/04/2008 21:10

he's only little, don't be so aggressive in your attitude "lazy arse" and behaviour towards him. it's not a race.

colacubes · 08/04/2008 21:32

I dont think the lazy arse is a act of aggression toward op's son, just a little over enthusiastic, I say some ridiculous things as we all do at times.

Kif, when he's ready he will just up and go, my brother was the same, didnt move of his bum for nearly 2 years, wouldnt pick up a crayon to draw, then all of a sudden, there was no stopping him. I think the push toys are a good idea, and being around other children that are running around will probably be a great motivator.

HereComeTheGirls · 09/04/2008 06:47

Its not laziness, its a developmental/confidence issue. My DD is 17 mos and can only just stand up hanging on to things for dear life, and she is the least lazy child I have ever met. I was a bit disturbed to see your dad "forced the issue" so your DS "performed"..bit harsh I feel!!

Threadworm · 09/04/2008 07:17

I thought this thread was going to be about getting a lazy arse older child to stop demanding lifts everywhere -- and I came in looking for hints.

mummyhill · 09/04/2008 07:34

Ohh bless at 17 months it's no worry at all. They all develop at their own rate in their own time, let the kid be.

herbgarden · 09/04/2008 14:01

Make the most of it - he doesn't sound like he won't - some of my friends children (20 mnonths plus) have only just started to walk. He'll do it in his time not yours unfortunately. Once they start walking the only upside is possibly that they don't get so grubby on the floor but they then start wanting to walk EVERYWHERE at a snails pace....and will probably hate the buggy. He's still very little. Unless you're worried, he'll get up soon I'm sure.

Heated · 09/04/2008 14:06

Lots of praise/clapping of hands when he does stand and do any walking so he knows it's a good thing. And patience!

hairtwiddler · 09/04/2008 14:08

DD did exactly this, walked on her knees from around 15m, then did it until she was 21 months old. At that point she got up and ran across the room.
They wear out the knees of trousers and the toes of shoes!
I remember the feeling of wishing she would get up and run around with the other kids. She did though, and now it seems like she's been walking forever.

marymungoandmidge · 09/04/2008 14:13

I'm getting from the title of your thread that you are becoming exasperated...but honestly 17 months is not that old. Take the pressure off your son and yourself by realising that they all do it in their own good time. Its probably a matter of days or weeks at the most before he walks (in the 'normal' sense)but I can appreciate your feelings absolutely.

EzrasMummy · 09/04/2008 14:21

I walked at 18 months. People do things in their own time! My twin walked at 10 months. My son walked at over 20 months. As long as theyre healthy and happy, I really wouldnt worry.

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