16mo won't walk holding hands, are reins the answer?

[MegBusset]

OK, DS will sometimes hold hands but only if he feels like it and then will dart away as soon as something catches his attention. This is fine in the park but obviously means I have to put him in the buggy when near roads, which he is becoming increasingly resistant to. Are reins the only solution to this, and if so then what are the best kind?

yes, I would use reins. don't think there is a best kind, reins are reins

my ds2 won't hold hands, he is now 2y5m and mostly I just let him walk (he walks well next to me but won't hold my hand). I make him hold my hand in car-parks, crossing roads etc and he screams for the majority of it.
I used reins until quite recently - we just had a basic pair from Boots that someone gave us for d1.

my ds2 won't hold hands, he is now 2y5m and mostly I just let him walk (he walks well next to me but won't hold my hand). I make him hold my hand in car-parks, crossing roads etc and he screams for the majority of it.
I used reins until quite recently - we just had a basic pair from Boots that someone gave us for d1.

Yep. DS will hold hands when he feels like it, but I can't keep a very good grip on him, so reins are vital IMO. I have boring ones from JL, as well as a little life rucksac thing.

When they're on the reins do you have to keep yanking at them? At the moment I feel like I'm dragging DS across the pavement half the time...

I use the little life rucksack. The big advantages are the child likes wearing it, it's a longer 'lead' than reins and the child has his/her hands free to explore. I can't stand those wrist things they look very oncomfy and any child I've seeen in one hates it. My ds has the old type rucksack,but DD has a very cute ladybird one that also has a rainhood.

There is another solution - Little life do back packs which have reins on which don't have to be held all the time but which can be grabbed when necessary. Oh and the backpacks have cute little waterproof hats built in so they can keep dry.

Honestly it does pass - DD wouldn't hold hands at that age but by 18 months will happily walk along holding hands.

You kind of have to have low expectations of how much ground you will cover when they are this small!
My children stopped to look at every leaf and pebble at that age.
I would just pull them back if they were heading for the road. The main thing is to talk to them about the next thing along the pavement tto keep them going forwards.
Make sure you allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination.

It's not a question of how much time it takes. If he goes towards a road/car/dog poo and I try to pull him away then he will quickly go into meltdown. Also he can move very quickly so I'm worried that he might slip out of my grasp and run into the road.

Those backpacks look good, think I will try one of those.

I love my reins-my DS won't go in the buggy except to sleep. He is generally v.good at holding my hand but I keep them on him so if he decides he wants to run along in front he can do this without me freaking out!

They are only cheapies but invaluable to me!

Yup, we use the little life rucksack, too. JL sells them. Fantastic.

I wasn't being critical, sorry if I sounded that way. I just remember what it's like.
The rucksacks are great, I often looped DS's lead onto the pram handle whilst pushing DD, that way I knew if I was distracted by the baby he would be safe.

my dd won't hold hands either but loves her littlelife backpack she can carry her wipes and toys in it so feels grown up, it clips at the front so she can't wiggle out of it and we have our contact details on it should she manage to get lost. she doesn't notice the little strap contecting us.