Comparing my toddler's progress to others.

[Caarla]

Does anyone have suggestions with how to keep a check on the "comparison game"? My 15 month old (who has never crawled, and was a late bum-shuffler)is cruising, but not walking. She is extremely clingy, especially in the company of other babies. Her similar aged peers are steaming ahead, confidently walking and talking, and I'm getting more miserable everytime we see them, as it feels as though we're getting left behind! My rational self is aware that they all develop differently and at different rates, but if anyone has any tricks they can share to help me take my mind off this silly game I'd be grateful!

How many parents do you know who like to boast of their 10 year old "She is SO good at walking - oh the elegance of it! We knew early on she was going to be a great walker, she did it so young..." Remember: it is utterly meaningless who did what when.

Clinginess - most of 'em go through phases of this (ds having one at the moment aged 2.6). At the moment he's less confident than some of the 18 month olds I know, but 6 months ago it was the other way round. No doubt in 6 more months he will be different again. Honestly, it's not that your dd is getting 'left behind' - things like confidence don't often start small and grow steadily, they go up and down!

sorry - don't really have anything practical to help. i can only offer that my brother didn't speak at all until he was two years old. my parents took him to speech therapists and totally freaked out that there was something wrong with him. 30 some odd years later and he's happy, healthy, educated, clever, etc.. nothing wrong with him at all; he obviously had a rich inner world and couldnt' be bothered with us mere mortals.

conversely, if you are concerned about your daughter's progress talk to your gp and see if there is an issue. if she's fine it will just be down to you to muster up the confidence to not feel crap with other toddlers [not easy].

My 20 month old didn't walk untill 15/16 months.

She showed no signs of walking. She didn't even cruise. She would stand up and hold her weight but never showed any inclination to start walking.

One day she just got up and off she went. Don't worry about it.

She also only says about four words and none of them are clear.

For every baby that is further on than yours there is another further behind. It doesn't matter. Each baby is different and they all catch up in the end. If it would put your mind at ease speak to your gp but I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Your next baby might be ultra quick and you will wonder why you made so much fuss and wish that she would slow down. Enjoy the freedom having a baby who cannot walk gives you while you can