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Original poster

Going too far on the scooter!

13 replies

atrcts · 10/08/2013 10:52

My 3.4 year old is quite a whizz on the scooter, goes really fast often with one leg sticking out in the air (likes a challenge!) and deliberately wobbling the scooter to make it exciting. Which is all very good and well if we're not by the road or near pedestrians! it makes them feel too nervous and uncertain around him, which I can fully understand
But the worst thing is how he shoots off at such a speed, even when we take him to a park he is gone out of sight very quickly which is simply not safe.

So it got me wondering about all the similar aged kids scooting along nicely on the kerb, in sight, and how their parents managed to achieve this?

We've tried the conviscation for a while idea but it just makes him holler and not really getting the idea! I'm not sure if the excitement and distractions when out and about just makes him forget 'the rules'.

Has anyone got any good ideas? Tell me your 3 year old scooter stories!

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IWillOnlyEatBeans · 10/08/2013 21:17

DS is 3.6 and has been scooting confidently for about 9 months now.

He knows to stop at every kerb/driveway and never to go on the road. He knows never to go out of our sight.

My friend's DS ended up in hospital with a serious head injury after scooting across someone's driveway when their car was reversing out. He is ok now, but it was touch-and-go for a while, so I have taken quite a hard line on scooter safety.

If I were you I would attach a strap to the scooter, which you keep a firm hold of until he learns to keep to your rules.

[http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+scoot-n-pulls-in-micro-scooters+b7601]

IWillOnlyEatBeans · 10/08/2013 21:18

Try again

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+scoot-n-pulls-in-micro-scooters+b7601

IWillOnlyEatBeans · 10/08/2013 21:23

Sorry, just re-read and I sound quite smug and preachy Blush

I guess this topic is just quite an emotive one for me after seeing what my friend went through Sad

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missmapp · 10/08/2013 21:24

We too do the stop at the drive/ kerb bit and I always give the dcs a place to wait for me ( by the lamppost or whatever) If they don't stop or go out of sight, I make them scoot next to me for a period of time. It does work.

Mine are older now ( 5 and 8) , but did this from about 3 and now ds1 is able to go further , ( out of sight) I know I can trust him and therefore can give him a bit of independence

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 10/08/2013 21:25

Has he got a helmet?

I fucking hate scooters Sad but I think it's important they have them - DS didn't have one until he was 4.5. Don't let him near the road until he does what you says.

Jojay · 10/08/2013 21:26

I used to give them landmarks to scoot to, like 'Go to the lamp post then stop and wait for me'.

It worked quite well with my kids.

Cravingdairy · 10/08/2013 21:29

Tondelayo Out of interest why do you think it's important? I hate them too except in a park etc.

3boys3dogshelp · 10/08/2013 21:35

I give mine a landmark to stop a too and tell them if they scoot back to me and away again they get to scoot further. Grin I'm 7 months pregnant and really can't keep up so I'm pretty strict.
ONCE my eldest went out of sight round onto the pavement beside the main road, I took his scooter off him and made him walk all the way home. He cried and made a huge scene but he's never done it again.

QTPie · 10/08/2013 21:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Sirzy · 10/08/2013 21:52

If DS tried to scoot off I would take the scooter and make him walk.

DS only scoots along very quiet roads but still knows he stays by me on it or he walks (he is 3.8) if he is allowed to go ahead like others I give him a landmark he can go up to.

when he is in the park he knows he can scoot off but that when I stay stop he stops otherwise again I take him off it. Last week he decided to try to scoot down the very high slide - I quickly stopped that one!

Original poster
atrcts · 11/08/2013 02:35

Thanks all Grin

Funny we do the lamp post thing, but he starts scooting to the next one just before we get to him, and sometimes if in a park we go from bench to bench. However he seems to have the memory of a goldfish...

He does wear a helmet. And I've sometimes thought about peoples driveways with cars backing out, so the story about someone getting hit is a worry for sure. I guess you could say the same for being a pedestrian though, as when they get older they like to lag behind or walk a little way ahead sometimes (though a 3.4 year old holds my hand when on foot near a road still, which as I type this I am thinking is not very consistent really)!

Funnily enough he's worse in the park disappearing off than he is on the roads. It unnerves me as anyone could grab him and be gone before I even get to see a thing, or he could simply get lost. Just seems a little too risky to me really. We have just started the confiscation tactics to maybe it won't be long before he gets the idea more reliably.

OP posts:
TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 11/08/2013 22:38

Hi Craving - just seen your q - for the same reason as any more risky outdoor physical activity

  • exercise, balance,control when moving at speed
  • learning about risk and how to manage it / decision making
  • learning about traffic, preparing for riding a bike
  • FUN!

But they can do that in a park, it doesn't have to be on the road. Traffic means other pedestrians and scooters. :-)

Cravingdairy · 12/08/2013 11:21

Thanks! That makes a lot of sense.

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