Has anyone any tips for teaching DS to walk safely?

[cheekymonkeymum]

I have a lively 18m old son and would love to be able to walk to the shops with him now that he is comfortably walking. Any tips on how to help him learn to walk safely without lurching out infront of traffic? The other thing is that he only wants to walk where he wants to go which is not always where I want to go. Have tried reins which are semi successful. He hates the buggy now as he wants to be out! Does anyone have any helpful hints????

Reigns, wrist strap or good old hand holding.

Try a backpack with reins. DS1 would not have anything to do with reins at all. But was quite happy to toddle along with this back pack, holding my hand of course, and didn't seem to realise he was still tethered .

Hand holding near a road was (and still is) non-negotiable, ever. It was that or buggy. He did get his freedom in the park though and seemed to accept the compromise after a bit. Although it does mean lots of running about for you...

So basically it is just a case of perseverance then and he will get it in the end? (I like the sound of the backpack, where do you get those?)

I'm trying to master the same thing with 18 mo DS too! He isn't keen on holding my hand for more than about, ooh, 30 seconds so I haven't been brave enough to take him out on a proper road yet. Another problem is the constant stopping to pick up leaves/fag butts/litter too, of course...

I've been practising in safe places like the park. There's one 50 yards from my sister's house and no roads in between so we've been practising there. Is there anywhere near you that you can try?

The backpack reins sound a great idea, I'll be watching this thread too!

Agree, at 18 months it's unfair to expect him to understand the safety aspect, he won't really be trustworthy till at least three or four. ds1 hated his reigns but they were non negotiable as is hand holding now.

found these which are cute!

I've just bought a toddler day sack see here

I have a cow one and it is gorgeous!

and these

Thanks everyone for the advice and some great websites which I shall go off and investigate. This is the first time that I have posted a message and I can't believe how helpful everyone has been - thanks!

And be prepared for walking to take an absolute age.

Ooh let me look at that leaf, it's great.

Two more steps

Oooh a feather!

One step

Wow a post box. Now I want to see that leaf again, Is it where I remember? Where's it gone, where's it gone!!!

Three steps

No, still want to see that leaf...

And so on.

I had an early and keen walker and whilst it's great that I didn't need the buggy as much, my god, a trip to the shops took all morning. I'm not kidding

lol sparkle, that is so how my ds is.

I am so relieved it's normal. He loves walking everywhere and after a lot of practice he will hold my yhand but it takes an hour to walk to my dad's house, he littereally lives round the corner and accross one road from our house.

Wee have to stop at the road signs, every stray crisp packet, leaf, lamp post, and the post box. It's better than the screaming in the buggy though.