2.5yo DD refuses to walk - am I expecting too much.

[CorpusCallosum]

My 2.5yo DD really struggles to walk any kind of distance. Today we parked in town for a couple of errands and the promise of a balloon at the end - total about 1km. She had a massive meltdown about half way, I ended up sat on the pavement with her - obviously just picking her up and carrying her would have been giving in to the tantrum so I didn't know what else to do 😢

I used to just carry her but I'm pg with number 2 now and I just can't do it over any kind of distance. I started being firm about no carrying a few weeks ago and thought we would be past tantrums for a change of routine by now.

If I strap her in the pram all the time I think she's missing out on noticing/exploring things and I worry about her physical development if she's not walking enough.

Am I just expecting too much from her?

Nothing fun about walking around shops for a toddler (or me at 44!).

Use a pram, doubles as a shopping holder. Very useful when pregnant.

I wouldn't advise a scooter. Not good for going in and out of shops and at that age, not safe on pavements in town near cars. Let her walk/scoot at the park.

I had my second when my first was 19 months and spent a good few years pushing them both around shops. In a pram with a toy and the odd snack if required is the best way.

She walked quite far, got tired, then her mum refused to pick her up and give her a cuddle or lift as you are having another baby. I know you didn't mean it this way, but that is how it may have felt. When I was pregnant with no 2 we used a pram for anything over a short distance or actual playing, that way I was still able to pick no 1 up for a hug/to look at something specific.