Strongwilled or what!

[Wheaters]

I need some tips for getting my 14 month old daughter back in the pushchair when we are out, after a trip to the park for example, apart from using brute force. Tried all the usual calm talking, distractions, offers of food etc but she just arches her back, crys and riggles so much it is impossible. Have on occasions had to walk off holding her and pushing the pushchair. Not ideal.

She's very determined to do everything herself - she's just been fitted with her first pair of proper shoes and she's off, running everywhere. Thinking of trying reins - anyone got any suggestions?

Also just started experiencing fear of the bath - she usually loves her bath, but now crys and wants to get straight out again - only solution is to go in with her.... any other suggestions to that one?

I sympathise - both my children have been exactly like that - I found the car seat even worse than the buggy because you need to hold both straps together to do the harness up. I'm afraid that I never found a reliable way other than brute force, until each got old enough to use the "either you get in yourself or I put you in", which got both my highly independant individuals clambering at speed into the seat. As to reins, I've used them with both because both were desperate to walk, and reins allowed them to do so in all sorts of places where they wouldn't have been safe otherwise. Plus, I think it's good for them to walk as much as they can - I want my kids to grow up thinking that going places under your own steam is normal, rather than always riding around in a buggy or car - far better for their health.

re: the bath - have you tried a bath seat they sit in it & it has suction pads to stick it to the bottom. It might make her feel more secure. I got mine from mothercare £9.99 made by Safety 1st. Mind you, if she's so difficult to get in her buggy she might not go for it. Mine has sat in one since he outgrew his baby bath & it makes me fell more secure knowing he can't slip in - still mustn't be left though of course.

Good luck

Wheaters - I use reins, I think they are great. I started with the ones which go around the chest - not as successful, since I kept pulling my dd off her feet. I now use the wrist strap one. Its great because she has a degree of freedom, but cannot go too far. Indeed, today I have been deliberating over a new microwave in three electrical shops. It wouldn't be possible without the strap, since she runs in the opposite direction at speed given the chance. Anyway, it gave me time to choose, measure and pay. Can't be bad!
She's 21 mths by the way, and we've been using them since first walking - around 15 mths.

Thanks for those - have bought reins to try but got the chest ones as thought they'd be safer at 14 months but maybe not? Whats your dd by the way Alih?

I use the chest reins but only clip one side in to give my daughter a bit more freedom.

I could have written this message myself. My daughter is 18 months old, walking from 16 and a very determined little person. We go out lots but trying to get her to leave either by walking or by getting her into the buggy is impossible. She screams the place down which is not too bad if you are in a park but disastrous if indoors. She also went through a phase of hating the bath. We left it for a few days, then I got in first with her for a few days and then a couple of days after that she was back to splashing and having fun. I don't know what caused this fear but its gone again. I have a pair of reins for dd but she hates them on sight.

Aren't toddlers wonderful?! We recently went to Dublin for a wedding with some friends of ours. Their 15-month-old had a major tantrum and screamed throughout the flight (only 1 hour, but what a long hour!) because she didn't want to sit on her mothers lap and be strapped in for take off. I felt lucky - our 20-month-old only screamed during take off and landing (i.e. when actually strapped in), and stopped during the flight when she was allowed to get down and annoy her brother by trying to share his seat.