How to get 15 month old to follow me?

[PlantMum89]

My 15 month is a very confident walker and he’s always been a very independent chap so he loves to walk and explore solo. But he doesn’t listen when I say “come this way” or “follow me” or call him by his name. He won’t hold my hand anymore and he hates reigns as I think he gets more frustrated with the illusion of freedom but then being restrained 😂 (I obviously don’t let him out of his pram to walk when near roads).

Is he just too young to expect him to follow me and it’ll improve as he gets older or have I got a problem on my hands?

Reins.

You enforce hand holding or pop him in the buggy (assuming you’re on a pavement and not on a country path with no traffic). Reins if he’s a bolter.

Try holding your hand up above your head for a significant period and you’ll realise why small kids object to hand holding - it’s bloody uncomfortable.

Reins or the backpack reins. No reins = pram.

Reins.
At 15 months he's got many things he won't like ahead of him.
You, as his parent have to make decisions on what keeps him safe on his behalf.

Around the house or do you expect him to follow you as he walks independently outside?

I think it's a lot to expect from basically a baby with a massive margin for disaster

I'd say he's too young to be expected to follow you. It's too tempting for him when he can just walk off so I understand why he does. So your only option to keep him with you is reins really.

It's normal that he's not listening but you can train him to listen sometimes by threatening the buggy or using reins.

For safety you need to use reins

Far too young to walk in a useful direction. I really wouldn’t worry, mine couldn’t even walk by then!

I think it might be too young to be honest… I mean I’ve only had one child learn to walk so far but he’s only just about getting to grips with “stay close”, hold my hand, etc. he’s 2.

He knows we hold hands by the road or car park and if he refuses he has to sit in the pushchair. Currently he often prefers to “stay close” in safer environments as he sees it as preferable to holding my hand all the time

Oh, and to actually answer your question, I think it’s just persistence and consistency, then one day it will just start working …. That seems to be the case with absolutely everyone for my son anyways

I only let him to walk around parks, the farm etc. so he’s never unsafe, it’s just hard work when he starts running off in the opposite direction constantly 😂 I never let him out on the pavements or near roads or anything

He's just a bit young.

If you need to get somewhere, put him in the buggy.

If you're somewhere safe, then let him loose and you follow him.

He may follow you if you're going somewhere fun, that he knows, e.g. heading towards the swings/duck pond etc. so you can start there and build the habit of you both going the same way.

You probably already do this, but it's also good to explain where you're going and why. For example 'we're going this way to Sainsbury's to get some yoghurt and then on the way back we'll go to the swings'. He's obviously not going to listen immediately, but they understand so much more than you think at this age.

Remember, to get the most out of these trips he needs to follow his own interest, not yours. So, you follow him. It's his day out.

Reins. I have no idea why so many parents are anti them. Just put them on, non-negotiable and ride out a few tantrums. I'd rather them than a dead child. Toddler hands slip out of yours so easily.

Persevere with the reins initially. In time, you can bargain e.g. "hold my hand or you go in the buggy" but that might be a bit advanced for him right now.

I think he's too young. He's only interested in chaos at 15 months. Use the buggy if it's not safe, let him free in parks and safe places, play chase games so he gets the idea of following and revisit the idea in a few months.