Enthusiastic/hyper 16 month old

[Oscardoggy]

Hi everyone,

it’s my first time posting so I’m sorry if I’ve put anything in the wrong place!

I’m looking for some advice on my 16 month old son. He’s what my Grandma describes as a ‘spirited child’ - he’s always on the go (walking since 10 months old) and never sits down to play with toys or watch anything on the TV. He loves football and is always running around kicking a ball, even in the house. It’s like he doesn’t have much of an attention span, even for a 16 month old! He won’t even sit still to eat, the only way to get food in him is if he can run around whilst having handfuls here and there.

I hadn’t thought too much about it until recently, but we’ve been hanging out with some friends who’ve got similar aged children and with our NCT group now the weather is getting nicer. I’ve noticed that all the other children are happy to sit and play in one place (on a rug in the park etc.) or will watch a programme/film on the sofa.

It makes it impossible for me to socialise because I’m chasing him around instead of being able to talk to my friends.

I’m wondering if this is something to worry about? Has anyone else has a child similar to mine?

thanks so much

Mine is the same age and always on the go. He will sit in his high chair to eat however and is ok in the car seat. But if we're in the house, I have to dedicate my time to going around with him as he won't sit and play or watch TV. I can get bits and pieces like unloading a dishwasher done or putting washing on as I can occupy him with balls/trucks etc for a few mins but people have commented how he doesn't stop. Same at baby class, doesnt want to sit and join in like the other kids, wants to crawl or run around.

I've accepted that social occasions will be me or my husband running around after him but also taken the advice that toddlers need 'walking' a few times a day like dogs so we spend a lot of time out of the house trying to burn off some steam! I tell myself it will be easier once he is a bit older and needs less constant supervision.

I'm quite pleased he isn't bothered with TV yet as I'm sure there will come a time when I can't pull him away from a PlayStation or a TV!

Also, don't think it's something to worry about unless there are other signs of anything to trouble you. Think some kids are just extra energetic!

That’s brilliant, thank you! It sounds like ours are exactly the same. Getting washing done is the same in our house, I riffle through the kitchen drawers to find something he hasn’t explored before, it gives me a couple of minutes 🤣

In a lot of ways it’s really nice isn’t it, it’s great he’s so interested in everything. It’s just A LOT.

There’s nothing else concerning, he’s just very busy.

thanks again x

Mine was like that - very full on! It was like a switch flipped at 3 and he massively calmed down.

My DS was like this, just constantly full of energy. He's still 'lively' at the age of three but nowhere near as bonkers as he was at about 18 months

You’re describing my 16 month old - crawled at 5 months, walked at 9 months and is on the go from when he wakes up.

Nursery have said he’s a little whirlwind and he’s always tended to hang out with the older kids, because physically he’s always been a bit further ahead than kids his own age.

He is absolutely non stop, running, jumping and climbing. I’m hoping he starts to get into TV for our flight to Australia in November!

The only thing that seems to get him to sit for a bit is messy play activities. In the nice weather today, I’ve put out a tray of water with some sand toys and his cars & he’s sat and “washed” them.