18 month old won't go in buggy or walk with reins

[RRN2016]

Hi, I have a 18 month old son and he will go in buggy but he climbs straight out I even have one of those clips that goes across straps. He won't hold my hand either instead of buggy as he throws himself to the ground also the same if I put reins on him he throws himself to the ground, I have tried trolley when shopping also but he just climbs straight out and then can't get any shopping done. Not sure what to do when out and about as he just escapes or throws himself to the ground.

If he won’t walk holding your hand or on reins, he does in the buggy but with reins on to strap him in. We did the same with DS in the highchair - strapped in.

You need to go out when you actually have no where to go or any time constraints and just stand and wait when he throws himself on the ground until he is ready to walk sensibly again.

Don't get angry, don't threaten to walk off without him, don't negotiate, don't carry him just stand there and when he starts to try to interact with you again ask if he is ready to start walking sensibly again.

It will take forever and you may only get as far as the end of the street but if you remain consistent eventually he will get the idea.

Yes to add to pp, although I never actually used them my traditional style reins can with clips which could clip on the D shaped parts at the bottom of the pushchair straps.

Or would a trike or scooter with a pull along strap work? Always a worry if they might try to run off though.

He doesn’t get to decide, you do. You have to strap him in so firmly, that he can’t get out.

You have to be firm and not let his histrionics dictate to you.

I'm afraid you have to ride this phase out, it's hard going but worth it as his safety has to be absolutely non negotiable. Just keep going, be the grown up and keep this a hard boundary which will ALWAYS be enforced. You'll get there eventually and it's a battle worth having actually, you will reap rewards in other areas when he realises you won't back down or compromise on this.

I would switch to online shopping if you can afford it, I did it as soon as eldest dc was born and we've never had issues in the supermarket because we've literally only been a handful of times (and those times were special occasions eg to choose a pumpkin so no need to keep them strapped in a buggy).

My dcs have had difficult times with the buggy but generally I've been able to bribe them with snacks and sometimes cartoons on my phone if needed. Sometimes they've refused to get in at first, so I let them walk, then they get tired after a bit and will want to sit down.

When my dd threw herself to the floor wearing reins I just couldn't send them to stand her up again. Like a puppet. She soon stopped.